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From day one, Microsoft's Xbox 360 had its core bases readily established: The gun-shootin', football tossin', racecar drivin' guy gamer has always had his pick of the litter on the next-gen console. But what about the girlfriend, the little brother, or even the mom? Viva Piñata is the ideal offering for those less stereotypical gamer groups, and just about everyone else.

Next-Gen Farming

You play an upstart farmer on Piñata Island -- a place where all the animals resemble the paper-maché party favors from kids birthday parties. Your goal is to cultivate the land and attract all manner of piñatas to your fold. Of course, then you export them for profit, but that doesn’t come until later.

The plot of real estate you start with is barely worth a drunk urinating on, so you've got your work cut out for you. With just a shovel and some grass seeds, you start the beautification process. Plant a few flowers and veggies, and the piñatas start showing up. From there, your area flourishes with ponds, trees, and all manner of weird, wavy creatures -- cute, colorful variations of everything from worms to foxes to elephants.

Freedom On a Leash

How does your garden grow? It's really up to you -- in a way. Viva Piñata gives you the freedom to choose where to plant things, where to place animal dwellings, and the like. The irony is how tightly it holds your hand at first. This is definitely a game geared towards kids first, as the tutorial portions are slow and methodical. Fortunately, it also means the controls are easy and intuitive.

Over time, the plot can become a hopping piece of real estate, with you as the manager. New tools, abilities, and piñata visitors pop up with dizzying frequency. It's as if Rare took the dizzying variety that almost plagued its platformers, and stuck it into a real-time setting -- where, honestly, it works much better. Dull moments are few and far between, but when they come you'll welcome them as a time to take care of your more mundane responsibilities. It's even more addicting than Animal Crossing, as there's always something to do.

Proud Papa

You definitely feel an emotional tie to what happens on Piñata Island. When a roaming Syrupent eats your favorite Mousemallow, you'll feel remorse. If you neglect watering your sprouting hazelnut tree, you'll cringe as it wilts. The game does go easy on you, however: Plants only need care until maturity, and animals won't starve.

Kids may get a twisted version of the birds-and-the-bees from this game, as well. It's your job to play matchmaker and bring romance to your piñatas. When certain conditions are met, (fruits eaten, dwellings built, etc.), your piñatas will start to feel a little randy. Stick two together, and they'll do the ol' romance dance. From here, a simple maze minigame will bring them together, so a lucha libre version of a stork will deliver an egg.

Smash 'Em All

The piñatas themselves are likely the game's greatest asset. Graphically, they're colorful and cute, and their accompanying sound effects are definitely things that make you go, "Awwww…" Viva Piñata's paper-maché style is evident in everything from the piñata's limbs to the grass on the ground. So long as you can stomach the bright colors that resemble tie-dye vomit, it's an aesthetically pleasing game. 

Viva Piñata tackles Pokemon's cuteness, Animal Crossing's fun chores, and The Sims' relationships, and comes out tasting as sweet as the candy its main characters are filled with. The game delicately balances entertaining, real-time gameplay with sandbox sensibilities. It's the kid-appealing offering Microsoft has pined after since the original Xbox launched, but ends up being so much more. Almost any type of gamer will enjoy livin' la Viva Piñata. 

Article by: Justin Leeper
Video produced by: Eric Acasio