Hoyle Casino
a game by | Pulsar Interactive |
Platforms: | PC, GameBoy Color (2000) |
Editor Rating: | 6.5/10, based on 1 review |
User Rating: | 9.0/10 - 4 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Casino Games, Slots Games, Blackjack Games, Roulette Games |
Rather early in the nineteenth century, we as a culture built various havens for gamblers to lay down their hat. Places like a little piece of Nevada you might know called the Las Vegas Strip. Since then, we have seen the this pastime become a multi-billion dollar industry where more people than ever are wagering, wheeling, dealing and testing their luck. Yet even back in 2000, Hoyle Casino was around to offer players who couldn’t quite commit to a trip to Las Vegas with a virtual experience and mimics the real thing.
This game plays rather similarly to titles such as Hard Rock Casino, Hot Slot, Lynx Casino, Vegas Stakes and Golden Nugget to name a few. This title aimed to offer a genuine and authentic gambling experience for players from the comfort of their own home. However, was this game a jackpot winner? Or did it go bust trying? We find out in our review of Hoyle Casino.
Play The Cards As They’re Dealt
If you are a returning player to the series and frequently invest in Sierra’s brand of casino style video games, then this one might disappoint you. In terms of fresh content, there really isn’t a lot to speak of. The game features new multiple line poker, video poker and blackjack variants and players will also have access to five new playable characters. However, we regret to inform you that the new content stops there. So if you already own this game’s predecessor, we really see no reason to invest in this one.
However, for newcomers to the series, this is perhaps one of the best casino games of it’s era. It offers a comprehensive list of 14 different casino titles, each with just about any variation of the game that you can think of. Players can play for petty change, or for big bucks. Plus, the game offers a great variety of game types too, from popular table games, to slots, to novel horse betting machines too. The game truly does have all that you could possibly want if you are a gambler looking for your virtual fix.
Then with regards to the presentation, the series once again values functionality over style. The games UI and design make each game intuitive and easy to play. Plus, the menus are simple to navigate, making quick changes between game types a piece of cake. However, in terms of presentation, the game lacks a certain refinement that would have been appreciated. The animations are sluggish, the textures and models are rough around the edges and as a whole, the game doesn’t give us the high roller experience we crave.
The Verdict
Overall, Hoyle Casino is a game that offers very little in terms of new content and doesn’t provide a stylish or luxurious experience. Yet despite this, it is still a wonderful casino game for the time of release. Nowadays we have an abundance of online gambling options at our fingertips but Hoyle Casino was a pioneer in many ways and is a relic that acts as a blueprint for the online gambling infrastructure we have today.
That being said though, in this day and age, it’s more of a game to be admired as a concept rather than a gaming experience that holds it’s own on merit.
Pros
- One of the most comprehensive casino game of it’s time
- Plenty of tutorials on offer to players
- Game variety is superb
Cons
- Provides very little new content for returning players
- Presentation leaves a lot to be desired
Download Hoyle Casino
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP