Brain Age 2 Review Presentation: The game makes use of both screens, using one screen for displaying, and the touch screen is used for writing and touching stuff. The DS is held like a book when you play the game, giving it a good feel. The menu is simple and easy to navigate. Graphics: Most of the graphics are in black and white, except for explanations where a 3D colored model of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima talks on the non-touch screen. The black and white, I think, was a good choice, seeing as the point of the game is to improve your mental fitness, while something more colorful could end up distracting you. I would say the graphics are pretty fair. Sound: Although the music included in this game is little, I find it fitting. The music played during the game is perfect for a casual game like Brain Age 2. It’s not too distracting and even a bit calming listening to it after playing other video games. It’s pretty much great background music all in all. Gameplay: The gameplay of Brain Age 2 can be summed up into three modes. Brain Age Check, (which I find kind of fun actually) Training, and Sudoku. Brain Age Check is a series of 3 randomly selected mini-games which tests things such as reaction time, speed and accuracy. It then rates you as an age. An ideal Brain Age is somewhere in your 20s, however if you are younger than 20 the Brain Age check will not be as accurate. A good example of a Brain Age Check mini-game is Serial Subtraction, where you must continually subtract a small number from a large number until you can go no further. Training is where you train your brain with several mini-games where you do things such as determining change for a purchase, or drawing a symbol corresponding to a number when you see the number. This is definitely the mode you’ll be racking up hours in. I’d also like to note there is an unlockable Dr. Mario-like game in this mode, which is explained to help you relax after training your brain. It will help you relax, but only on easy. On any other mode it’s just Dr. Mario. Sudoku is just… well, Sudoku. It’s fairly entertaining as far as Sudoku goes. The Quick Play option is just all of the modes above, but more quickly accessed, letting you demonstrate the games or letting family members or friends try out the game. The gameplay will definitely appeal to older fans moreso than the usual teenage and young male audience. I find it sort of bland, but this game isn’t really considered a game is it? Lasting Appeal: This game will definitely get boring after two weeks or so of consistent daily training. I like to alternate between Training and Brain Age Check one day and Sudoku one day to keep it from getting too stale. Final Score: Presentation - 9/10 - The game utilizes both screens in a clever way. Graphics - 5/10 - The graphics aren’t great, but they get the job done. Sound - 8/10 - The background music is exactly what it’s made to be. Background music. Gameplay - 6/10 - The gameplay definitely appeals to an older crowd, and will leave a bland taste that most will need to wash out with another game. Lasting Appeal - 5/10 - It will get boring fast. Overall - 33/50 or 66% - Basically, a failing grade as a game. But not by too much. I only recommend this to those caught up in the new trend of games that aren’t really games, or to an older crowd that prefers games that benefit your mental or physical health. Extra Notes: This is my first review, what do you think? Also, my main username on the internet is OsmiuMap, so if you find this review on another forum under his name, that's just me.
It's not a bad review. A bit more in-depth info would have been great and maybe a bit more history on the game, like a quick look into the previous game in the series.
I would agree - a comparison between this game and the previous, and where it has made improvements or didn't (even though there's very little to move from) would be nice. Also, I'd care to know about some of the new 'games' added to the second Brain Age, as I knew I quickly developed favorites in the first...
Really the only question I can ask you is what does the Download option do? Does it download more exercises, content of some sort? This review is pretty good. Like everyone else said, more depth as in comparison to the first one. I see a piano on the cover. I'd like to know how they utilize that and do they actually teach you songs?...or do they just hit a bunch of keys and you have to follow that...
