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9 months ago
The GameFly Exposé - You Don’t Know Jack (Xbox 360)
In an attempt to get more original content on this here blog, I introduce to you my newest feature… The GameFly Exposé, where I’ll mull over the worth of the games I choose to honor with a spot on my GameFly queue.
A sharp cocktail of laziness and forgetfulness has left my copy of You Don’t Know Jack abandoned on my computer desk in its tired-looking slipcover. So, while Jack may have worn out its welcome in my house, it certainly won’t be dropped into the mailbox without leaving a proper impression.
It was a good time, at the beginning. But, just like listening to your new favorite song - on loop - I began to have second thoughts.
The dreamlike-nearly-nightmarish-TV-studio theme was definitely unique, if not a bit heavy-handed. The humor established the experience as a lighthearted, delightfully low-brow, and most importantly, mature gaming experience (Anal sex jokes! I swear!). But this is where a potentially perfect formula began to dismantle itself.
Being the jaded gamer I am, whenever I run across a new and groundbreaking video game formula, my excitement is quelled in anticipation of some fatal flaw. Like Shakespeare’s prolific anti-heroes who were brought down by that fiend named hubris, I awaited Jack’s demise in the form of… you guessed it, repetition.
Jack continued to deliver on the laughs well into my third game - playing with two other people, each game lasted somewhere around 15-20 minutes. Unfortunately, the yawns began about an hour in, since we were essentially playing the same exact game over and over again, just with different expressions for flatulence and slightly varied pop-culture references.
Where Jack COULD HAVE shined is the relatively easy capability of keeping it recent, relevant and topical. It was a game just waiting to be enhanced by a wealth of DLC… While there’s a smattering of downloadable tchotchkes, none make me jump for joy, or at the chance to spend valuable Microsoft Points on something I already have.
There are tons of episodes I haven’t played yet, that much I know. A wealth of un-achieved Achievements remind me of such. But I just can’t bring myself to revisit another round of “Dis or Dat,” or allow myself another episode of anxiety via “Jack Attack.” You should take a look at my end-game scores. Being $20k in the red is not something I need reminding of while in front of the TV. Sallie Mae does perfectly fine with her monthly letter and refreshing dip into my checking account each month.
Verdict:
- Regret the Rent? No, it’s perfect for a rental… And a prompt send-back.
- Keep It? No.
- Overall Score? 6.0/10
