Microsoft Classic Board Games (PC)

Reviewed by

Trey Walker

on 01/04/2001

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ESRB: Everyone
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Although the graphics and sound that represent them are unlikely to impress anyone, the games themselves are every bit as enjoyable as many of them have been for centuries.

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GameSpot editors' review

CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
Detailed editors' rating

Reviewed by:
Trey Walker
Reviewed on: 01/04/2001
Released on: 12/14/2000
Originally published on GameSpot: Microsoft Classic Board Games (PC) Review

Microsoft Classic Board Games includes straightforward versions of 12 traditional board games. Although it lacks the depth of similar computer products - like the Chessmaster series or Shanghai - that deal strictly with a single type of game, Classic Board Games provides three well-placed levels of difficulty, the hardest of which should provide a serious challenge to the casual player. The games are all easy to play because of their intuitive point-and-click controls, and a simple menu interface provides access to game options and settings as well as rules and a complete tutorial for each game. This feature makes Classic Board Games ideal for those who have always wanted to learn how to play the games featured in the package but never had the chance. It is also suitable for players who have a hard time finding opponents for live games or are looking for a quick game to play at lunch.

The 12 classic games included in the bundle are chess, checkers, backgammon, reversi, Chinese checkers, 4-in-a-Line (a generic version of Connect Four), taipei, shogi, dominoes, go, Chinese chess, and gomoku. The graphics used to depict these games are simple, and while the games themselves do not require much in the way of visuals to get the point across, the standard two-dimensional top-down perspective does little to distinguish Classic Board Games from several other similar products on the market.

The sound effects are appropriate, but they add little to the game beyond the occasional sounds as pieces are moved or dice are rolled. The background music is pleasant, but you'll most likely find yourself turning it off after listening to the same track once too many times in the course of a game.