Game Over Online ~ Casino Master 4.0

GameOver Game Reviews - Casino Master 4.0 (c) Interplay, Reviewed by - Lothian

Game & Publisher Casino Master 4.0 (c) Interplay
System Requirements Windows, Pentium 166, 32MB Ram, 4x CD-ROM
Overall Rating 40%
Date Published Sunday, March 18th, 2001 at 09:30 PM


Divider Left By: Lothian Divider Right

Casino games have always been popular, mostly because there’s no risk of financial loss (aside from the cost of the game that is). There have been some really good ones lately, however Casino Master 4.0 doesn’t fall under that category. Before I start bashing this title, perhaps it would be best to delve into the PC gaming market and the underlying marketing principles. Interplay has released a lot of great games over the years and we’re all awaiting our copy of Fallout Tactics, but why do you suppose they’d release something that belongs on a Windows 3.1 machine? I believe there still is a market for simple titles (ie. Solitaire) that don’t require great sound, graphics, storylines ... basically they’re the “kill-time-at-the-office” types of games. I’m going to lump Casino Master 4.0 under this category because to compare it to other titles in other genres would be unfair and, above all, a waste of time.

Basically, this title offers an assortment of casino-style games, as does any other casino game suite. You’ve got your choice of card games, slot machines and miscellaneous gambling oddities. What more could you possibly want? Multiplayer capabilities? Sorry folks, it’s going to be a long, lonely day at the office with this game but hey, you’re paid by the hour, right?

Visuals are comprised of a generic Windows window complete with menu bar, status bar and all the other eye candy Visual Basic programmers are accustomed to. For games such as Roulette or Slots, there is basic looping animation to represent a certain action (spinning wheel, moving slots, etc.). To stimulate your mind and ears will be the generic Windows default sounds. No music, no sound effects, no fuss, no muss.

This is a basic point-and-click interface. I see that Interplay has stuck to the KISS principle in designing this title. For those players not familiar with a particular casino game, Paigow Poker in my case, there are help options, betting tips and money management videos featuring John Patrick. I must admit though, what this title delivers is more than adequate for what is required of a casino game. Though some may disagree, sometimes flashy graphics are just unnecessary.

Casino Master 4.0 is simply a time-killer title and should be taken at face value. You’ve got your pick of 7 Card Stud, Baccarat, Blackjack and Blackjack Strategy, Craps, Keno, Paigow Poker, Video Poker and Video Poker Strategy, Texas Hold’em, Slots, Roulette and Red Dog. The games all offer Tournament options (this doesn’t mean multiplay) and the instructional videos are very informative. To summarize, if you’re sick of Solitaire, Freecell and Minesweeper, this package is a fair alternative. Also, for those of you who are mired in the analogue modem world, instead of singing the “99 bottles of beer” song while you wait for your download, why not play some Craps?

Ratings:
[ 05/20 ] Graphics
[ 05/20 ] Sound
[ 10/15 ] Gameplay
[ 10/15 ] Fun Factor
[ 00/10 ] Multiplayer
[ 05/10 ] Control
[ 05/10 ] Overall Impression

 

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Rating
40%
 

 

 
 

 

 

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