Monopoly: World Cup France 98 Edition

Description:

Monopoly: World Cup France 98 Edition gives us a new way to look at an old classic board game that everyone grew up playing. This game combines Monopoly with the added attraction of soccer highlights. One example is that everytime a player gets sent to jail, the referee/Rich Uncle Pennybags comes out and gives them a red card.

The center of the board becomes an interactive soccer playing field while the players kick the ball around the board. After the roll of the dice, the flag is flown on the field and the country's anthem begins playing for whatever team the player lands on. This is very entertaining, especially for those long drawn out Monopoly games.

Special features such as the Penalty Kick or Match Play make the game more interesting. The Penalty kick activity allows the player to earn the chance to throw three dice instead of two. This gives them the opportunity to choose their roll so they can land on desired spaces. The Match Play activity allows teams of lower value to be promoted to a greater value. The computer simulates a match between the two teams and the winner moves up. The movement introduces a whole new strategy to the game. You may buy a cheaper property at the beginning of the game only to beat out a more valuable property in the end.

Options for the game can be turned on or off to make the game different every time. One option worth looking into is the Short Game or Timed Game. This comes in handy for those games that go on and on. Other options allow you to save your game, turn off the animation, play in full screen mode, or adjust the volume. This game also offers several mouse functions for Windows 95 users, such as buying property with the left mouse button and selling with the right mouse button. Players can also check their assets, trade, buy terraces or stadiums and mortgage property with the mouse.

Features:

Game board includes same values as original game
• Properties--World Cup Teams
• Railroads--top 4 French venues for 1998 World Cup
• Utilities--World Cup concession stands
• Income Tax--Transfer Fee
• Luxury Tax--Sign-on Fee
• Houses and Hotels--Terraces and Stadiums
• Going to jail is really getting benched by a red card
• Traditional pieces--soccer players that run
• Multiple game options
• 8 language options
• Play up to six human or computer players

Technical Aspects:

Report and Conclusions:

This program was requested with my resident Soccer Player/Fan in mind. I played it through myself a few times and found it to be a lot of fun. I got a kick out of the animation and soccer clips, then I let Greg drive. He had a blast! I kept having to come back into the computer room because he would call me in, "Hey, you got to see this!" My husband and he played for a good hour and then had to save the game. I am sure I will be seeing this game QUITE a bit this weekend.

My final recommendation: This is a super game for someone who loves soccer; the added features make the game a lot more interesting. If it is just Monopoly you're looking for, though, I would stick with the original interactive Monopoly game on computer.