CBS Television is taking a bunch of its popular shows and releasing video game versions of them. Oh, good.
There are a couple of CBS CSI games already out, but next year, you'll be able to reenact just about the whole CBS programming schedule on your PC, with video game versions of The Amazing Race, Survivor, Diagnoses Murder, The Hollywood Squares, Ghost Whisperer and Criminal Minds coming out. They're mostly PC games, but the Survivor game is for the DS and Wii.
Personally, I'm most into the game version of The Ghost Whisperer. I don't like the show, and I'll bet the game will be even worse, but its star Jennifer Love Hewitt (pictured) is, secretly, my girlfriend. Don't tell anyone.
But seriously, it's generally true that video games based on movies are bad, but there are notable exceptions. As far as games based on TV shows, I can't think of a single good one. Not one. It's a shame, too, because I could think of workable games based on just about all of the shows CBS is bringing to game form... except Hollywood Squares. Can anyone reading this think of a good TV-show-based game?
Below you will find the official, press release description of the games.
The Amazing Race (Ludia Inc.)
Get ready for around-the-world competition with the video game based on the eight-time Emmy® award-winning television series The Amazing Race where team players split up in pairs for a remarkable journey across exotic locations in a race against time. Players will face frantic challenges and tasks as they navigate through detours, roadblocks and other unpredictable game elements from the show. Working together strategically throughout the game is essential as each team tries to discover hidden clues that are crucial to getting them to the Pit Stop first - and one step closer to ultimate victory at the check-in mat. This video game will be launched throughout North America across multiple platforms in tandem with the show's 16th season.
Survivor (Mindscape)
This game is perfect for any fan of the show Survivor. Players will be able to live like the contestants on Survivor. With challenges such as fishing, collecting food and participating in Immunity challenges, players will compete to outwit, outlast and outplay in order to be crowned the ultimate sole Survivor. Available on Wii & Nintendo DS platforms.
Diagnosis Murder (Merscom)
Available in early 2010, this is an adventure game where the player must find different items in a scene to use as clues in order to solve the mystery. Available for the PC/Mac, this video game will be sold on most casual gaming websites and at major retailers.
Criminal Minds (Legacy Interactive)
In the Criminal Minds game, players will be able to take on the role of different members of Behavioral Analysis Unit to solve a series of five shocking crimes. In order to track down the killers and solve each case, players will need to examine crime scenes for clues, interview witnesses and suspects, analyze evidence and build a profile based on real-life criminal profiling techniques. The videogame is slated to launch in the fourth quarter of 2010 on the PC.
Ghost Whisperer (Legacy Interactive)
Debuting in early 2010. Ghost Whisperer will be the first-ever video game based on the hit series. Written by Emmy Award-winning television writer Lance Gentile, the PC game calls for players to embark on the adventure of helping the recently departed move on to the afterlife and providing closure to loved ones left behind.
The Hollywood Squares (Ludia, Inc.)
This timeless TV game show experience comes to fans everywhere on the platform of their choice. The Hollywood Squares game will feature all the favorite elements of the show as played on television, as two contestants play head-to-head in a bid to win money and prizes. Nine open-faced cubes make up the tic-tac-toe style "board" for the game which are occupied by celebrities/TV personalities. The stars are asked questions and players judge whether their answers are true or false, all the while incorporating outrageous "zingers" and "bluffs" to fuel the fun. Each correct answer earns the player a square on the board, and the first player to mark three squares in a row wins the game. Additionally, the game will incorporate bonus video of the funniest moments from the TV show. The North America-wide exclusive deal will result in games across major platforms including PC/Mac, consoles, iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The first of The Hollywood Squares games is slated for release in 2010.
Comments
Displaying 1–18 of 18
master1427
I believe that the Buffy games were good so yeah theres two right there and the MMPR games were good too.
thelegendarystm
The X-Files PC game, and its PS2 port, were pretty good.
Also Ludia's done a hell of a job with the two Price is Right games and the new Press Your Luck and Family Feud games. I have faith that they'll be able to do Hollywood Squares well as well.
24: The Game had promise but fell victim to sloppy driving missions and painfully annoying and stupid computer AI in the escort missions
ganjasaurus_rex
They should have learned there lesson from the Lost game and not even wasted their time and money. What's next, Glee?
SpaceGhost2K
I think a Survivor-type game with 20 live players over Xbox LIVE would be awesome. 20 random people, building alliances, playing minigames for immunity, etc.
If none of these come to Xbox, though, I'll be grateful.
lizard64
Like movie games, game based on TV's can only be good if the developers and show producers are involve din the project. There are not many tv show games out there and if there are, such as LOst, its shovelware for the most part unless you are a true die-hard fan.
From what i remember, there was one brightspot form the previous generation: 24: The Game.
The game featured the voice and likeness from the entire cast of the game. The style and presentation of show was well preserved. The story is original and specifically made for the game. it was written by the writers for the show. For 24 fans, it helped bridge seasons 2 and 3. The dialogue reflected their talents by adding well to the character and atmospheres of the game.
Overall, The developers made a pretty descent gameplay system with the shooting mechanics. Some of the controls like taking cover and barrel rolling were clunky. And the shooting took some getting used to. But the gameplay did convey the intense shoot-outs from the show. And once you got used to it, it was awesome. You didnt play as just Jack. You played as a variety of characters, each had its own strengths and weaknesses. You used a variety of weapons and gadgets. Also, playing true to the show, you had separate missions that involved hacking, interrogations, and reconnassaince.
If there was any complaints, it was from glitches and bugs that occured in the game. It wasnt broken but there were a few annoyances. And with he current generation, bugs can be ironed out. The controls couldve been simplified as well. The driving segments I found to be quite boring. They were ok but they couldve been much better.
Personally, I enjoyed the game. i still have it and dont intend to give it up. Like i said, its a bright spot in this genre. The producers, cast, and game developers all pitched together to create a solid game.
natedizzle23
This is goin to be an epic fail. When are they goin to learn this stuff dosen't work on to fronts.
darkuest
I agree with spiderish Dexter is one of my favorite shows and i would love to play that game if it ever came to the consoles. I hope they do Criminal Minds game justice i believe that can be a good game.
Spiderish
Dexter could be a pretty bad ass stealth/detective/murder of murderers game if put into the right hands. I hate stealth games but would probably play a Dexter one if it was in that format and the writing was good.
Utmost_NutsZo
Also it just occurred to me that if any of these games took the Heavy Rain approach, they could make some noise.
Utmost_NutsZo
As bad as these games are likely to be, I'm a HUGE fan of Criminal Minds and I'll probably give it a shot.
A friend of mine is who is an even bigger fan of CSI (Vegas) loves the games based on it.
GingerKid
It's funny that none of the games are available on 360 or PS3, hmmm, could it be cuz they know the games are gonna suck and not sell very well on consoles?
Greibach
Oh my god, this is the worst thing. The WORST thing. And games based on cartoons are different than ones based on real people, especially reality tv...
TheSiwentKiwwah
Speaking of Lost; I'm really angry at that Baxter guy that works for The Feed. He posted an article the other day that said something like "'Dead' characters returning on lost?" and it had a picture of a girl that I didn't even know was dead yet because I am a season behind. And even the header for the article had another spoiler. Everyone else warns of spoilers, I don't know why he didn't. Grrrr.
askanison
I haven't played it yet but I hear Lost: Via Domus is a fun experience for fans of the show. I also heard the X-Files PS2 game was pretty good. I'd like to play both of those since I like the shows, but none of these CBS shows seem game-worthy.
sousamagic
Darkwing Duck was an ok game, not to mention the Ninja Turtles games but that could be considered based off of comics except TMNT2 the arcade game for NES. Also the Jeopardy game for genesis was pretty cool as you had to type in your answers.
jthmrocks
Ducktales
mosespippy
I never played it but 24: The Game might have been OK, although I'm sure it could have been much better.
Shockwave562
sounds like shovelware
Displaying 1–18 of 18
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