Sinclair User


Pictionary

Publisher: The Hit Squad
Machine: Spectrum 48K/128K/+2/+3

 
Published in Sinclair User #131

Pictionary: The Computer Edition

Do you consider yourself an artist then? Well, there's only one way to find out - see what others think of your sketches by playing Pictionary, the word drawing game guaranteed to separate the Rolf Harrises from the kangaroos (and worse!).

Basically Pictionary as a board game is a bit of a waste of money. OK, there's nothing really wrong with the game, it's actually a very good idea. However, all it consists of is a set of cards, a board, an egg-timer, a couple of pencils and some paper... yet the whole thing costs twenty seven quid in my local WHSmiths. With a bit of imagination you could make it yourself for well under a fiver, and now you can get this version for four quid.

In Pictionary, you draw pictures to represent words from the following categories: Person/Place/Animal, Object, Action, Difficult Words, and All Play (which can be any sort of word). First of all, draw a card, in a similar way to trivial pursuit, which must be kept a secret. You must then illustrate the word on this card to the best of your ability using Pictionary's on-screen art package. Then gesticulare wildly and hope your team-mate can guess it within the specified time limit... Or else your team loses the advantage and the opposition takes over. 'All Play' cards allow any team to guess what a drawing represents.

Pictionary

Pictionary is a fun game for all the family. As a board game, it is very social but everyone doesn't need to be on top of each other. Unfortunately, ths is not a feature of the computer version as everyone has to see the same monitor. This version does however come complete with a nifty little computer art package and there's the positive advantage of not having to tidy up the cards and look for dice under the sofa when you're finished.

Garth

It takes a lot of practice to get fast and good at using Pictionary's drawing package but you'll have a lot of fun doing so. In fact, I found it much easier to play the game this way as opposed to the real thing - my pencil and paper drawing ability was never one of my greatest assets.

Verdict

I like this game a lot. Playing against the computer is a bit boring, but Pictionary is great fun when playing with others, as long as you don't try to crowd too many people around your TV or monitor! The art package is very usable and you'll have hours of fun just doodling with this on its own.