Customer Reviews

Hoyle Casino Empire

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This game isn't the most complex one of the "tycoon" games you will find. It is pretty entertaining. Sometimes I like a game that isn't so complicated that it takes three websites to consult with how to just make it through. The casinos that you work through are [copies] of their Las Vegas Counterparts, as are the "celebrities" that will make it into your casino if you are good enough. Some of the graphics are 2D such as many of the attractions you will build in your casino, and the games really aren't that distinquishable.
It is fairly easy to get the hang of, the audio is pretty good, with background noise, some nice lounge music, and commentary from the guests. The game does throw your casino development with a few curves such as other casinos trying to infiltrate and disrupt your business. Its fun, lighthearted, and a great way to get started in other "Tycoon" sort of games. While it isn't the best Tycoon game out there, I do like this one, it has good game play, and you don't need to buy a guide to work through this one.

I've played lots of Tycoon-genre computer games, including some super popular (Roller Coaster Tycoon, The Sims, etc.) This however, might be the best game I've played. Besides cool graphics, this game has a plethora of options readily available. This game is easy enough that playing it isn't a boring struggle, yet difficult enough the player feels challenged. Great attention has been paid to the sound, which is absolutely terrific. The game accurately simulates the feel of a casino. Each little "gambler" reacts to each hand of cards. You can see the players place their bets, and celebrate/despair after the round. Bright colors light up the screen. Building options include decorations, lounges, restaurants, gambling rooms, any type of gambling table or machine and decorations for the outside. Through the game interesting situations occur: the "Playbabe" magazine party, VIP high rollers, mob hits, discount slot machines. You can set your casinos odds, or even cheat the gamblers. Dealers and gamblers may cheat your casino, making a casino security force needed. Showgirls and bargirls keep players supplied with drinks. You are even able to host poker tournaments or auction off cars, throw parties or watch your loyal customers get married. You also control the hotel rooms and options there. For those looking for any type of tycoon game to play, or those with a love of Las Vegas, or even those just looking for a little fun will enjoy this game. You don't have to know Las Vegas to enjoy this immersive and fun computer game.

Fairly good simulation, but somewhat simplistic to some people. The slot machines and video black jack look pretty similar, but then again, if you've ever been to a casino, they really do look a lot alike. I've rather enjoyed it. The demo alone was enough to get me to buy it.

However, I bought the game on ebay for a lot less.

First off, this game is not a casino game where you play poker, black jack, or slots and pretend your a high roller in Vegas, winning or loosing big. This is a simulator, and if you don't like simulators (Any of the Tycoon games) then you probably won't like this either.

But if you ever wondered what it might be like to run every aspect of an imaginary casino, I think you might like this game. Graphics are fairly cheesy, and the mafia theme probably would have been more realistic for casinos in the 60's and 70's. But you can have the game play whatever MP3 you have available, you have many different games you can buy and there is more than just placing games on the screen and see if you win. You have to balance everything from advertising to security, bathrooms to bars. I have played the game many times and never had the same outcome.

There are some things that could be improved. I wish you started with more money. ($$$) is pretty low for starting a casino. And in real life casinos don't buy slot machines. The manufactures put them in the casinos for free and take a slice of the pie. I also think they should have denominations for the slots less than ($$). I mean I think a lot of people play their whole vacations on nickel slots. It might be nice if they could add the simulation of the food service, hotel staff, share holders, etc then it might be a bit more up to date. And a first person walkthrough of the casino would be cool. Give you the real feel of being a casino owner.

But wish list aside, this is a fun simulation game and is worthy of 3 solid stars.

This is a great little sim that will bring a slice of Vegas into your PC. If you pay attention, you'll get a couple of good laughs at the "cameos" in the game, from the Siegfried & Roy and Bill Cosby lookalikes, to the VIP High Rollers that will stroll through your casino if you make it a cool enough place to be. Every VIP was easily and quickly recognizable aside from one: and that'd be Immaculata. But, aside from that, the impressions are VERY well done, especially when it comes to Macdaddy Moonwalker and Flint Westwood, for instance. I won't mention any others because I don't want to spoil it for you. Half the fun is scanning your casino and looking for patrons walking around with a star beneath their feet (denotes a VIP) and clicking on them to try to figure out who they're supposed to be. If you're not into that "Where's Waldo?" sort of action, you could always just click on your patron button and get a full list of customers.

The hotels make "cameos" as well. For example, the Medieval is a lot like the Excalibur, and the Poseidon is a lot like Caesar's Palace. You'll also see interpretations of the Horseshoe, the Luxor, the Hard Rock, and Circus Circus to name a few. They're extremely well done theme-wise, and they add a bit of recognizable fun without having to pay the big bux for a fully licensed title. Also, since they really aren't trying to be the real thing, you're not likely to judge the game for lack of realism. You get the fun of the theme without the restriction of real life.

This isn't a terribly in-depth sim, so don't expect a lot of micromanagement. I think it's a casual sim for the casual gaming crowd. Empire mode lets you unlock a hotel for sandbox mode, and sandbox mode lets you design and build to your heart's content. If you hold poker or blackjack tournaments, you actually participate in them, so you DO have a bit of that taste of gambling as well. The personalities of the other players are quite amusing.

Overall, I haven't stopped playing since I first started. It's great bit of fun!

This is one of my favorite sim type games on the market. While you get to play around with a lot of what is in your casino, you aren't expected to manage down to the finest detail. This game gives you just enough to deal with to keep you interested but doesn't overwhelm you. If you are looking for a challenging sim game where you have to keep track of finances and that sort of thing, this isn't it. What this is though is fun! I can't stop playing this game even though I've completed all the challenges twice. I'm just waiting for the expansion pack now!

Casino Empire must have been a game that someone designed to fill a niche when the Sim City games were a rage. Sadly this game was never a hit but for true Casino goers, it's sort of fun to play around with.

Obviously the Themed Casinos represented on their "Vegas Strip" take after Real World properties such as the Luxor, Excalibur, Circus Circus, Hard Rock and the Stratosphere but clearly they could not license the use of the actual names. If this game would have sold at all and generated further development, I would have liked to see an Atlantic City edition as that's where I like to spend time at since I'm here on the East Coast.

Game play is pretty simple but I did have a tough time winning the final scenario taking several tries before getting it right. A reasonable number of Table Games are represented here to place in your Casinos, I think it would have been a stretch to try to put all the offshoots like "Let it Ride" and "Carribean Stud" in along with the Standard table games so they did a pretty good job there. The Slots and Video Poker games are good enough but I would have switched the "Video Blackjack" games for "Video Slots", I like how when you put in a "bank" of 16 games you get a Feature Topper that can be seen throughout the casino, a nice touch.

The Card Tournaments which you can actually play within the game are OK but I found the Full Versions in Hoyle Casino which I also have to be better so I leave them alone.

One fun thing you have are the VIPs who enter your casino once You have the facilities that draw the High Rollers. I found the Voice Talent pretty good especially with Arnold and Clint, the Real Fun happens when you jack up the Alcohol Content of the Drinks served to 200%, you get some lines that truly cracked me up! You may also get a "Star Trek" convention or an Elvis Convention to visit your Casino and that can be interesting as well.

Though some reviewers here have downplayed this game, I find it entertaining enough, I like the sound and visual atmosphere in Real Casinos about as much as the actual gaming myself so I continue to be amused trying to lay out my Casinos in different ways and different decor when I fool around with this little gem.

Casino Empire was made to fill a Niche which it does nicely, too bad that they missed the mark by overestimating how large the audience would be for this title, I would have liked to see more but it's not going to be developed further.

I really liked this game, but it does have it's limitations. You usually run out of room to put in services (i.e. Cashiers, Restrooms, Cafe's, etc.) and your patrons can get a little cranky. The game is definitely challenging in that time goes by fast, so you definitely have to keep on your toes to finish the scenarios. One of the things I really liked was that if you complete your goals before your time is up then you automatically complete that scenario - you don't have to let it sit there for three hours while the time runs out like some other games I've played. I'd say it's definitely a good buy, especially if you're a fan of Vegas. I know someone commented on not being able to change the decor. You can place different decorative items around to generate appeal for your games. You can't change what's on the walls, but you really don't have time to worry about that anyway so it's not a big deal. It would be better if there were more than eight casinos (after completing it I doubt I'll play it much more), but I'd say it's definitely worth the money.

I've played lots of Tycoon-genre computer games, including some super popular (Roller Coaster Tycoon, The Sims, etc.) This however, might be the best game I've played. Besides cool graphics, this game has a plethora of options readily available. This game is easy enough that playing it isn't a boring struggle, yet difficult enough the player feels challenged. Great attention has been paid to the sound, which is absolutely terrific. The game accurately simulates the feel of a casino. Each little "gambler" reacts to each hand of cards. You can see the players place their bets, and celebrate/despair after the round. Bright colors light up the screen. Building options include decorations, lounges, restaurants, gambling rooms, any type of gambling table or machine and decorations for the outside. Through the game interesting situations occur: the "Playbabe" magazine party, VIP high rollers, mob hits, discount slot machines. You can set your casinos odds, or even cheat the gamblers. Dealers and gamblers may cheat your casino, making a casino security force needed. Showgirls and bargirls keep players supplied with drinks. You are even able to host poker tournaments or auction off cars, throw parties or watch your loyal customers get married. You also control the hotel rooms and options there. For those looking for any type of tycoon game to play, or those with a love of Las Vegas, or even those just looking for a little fun will enjoy this game. You don't have to know Las Vegas to enjoy this immersive and fun computer game.

Casino Empire is a great simulation game. It's easy to use and a lot of fun to play.

Basically you're in charge of building a casino from one of several different spots on the map. You have to unlock these venues through the scenarios and once you do you can freely build in them in sandbox mode. Start off with slots, upgrade to craps, poker, etc... Add restaurants and all the other extras needed for a full blown casino experience.

Some positive and negative aspects:
+ Graphics and Sound: I found the graphics to be excellent. It's all isometric 2D and it looks great. The people are detailed enough to be believable and the casino environment is very well done. The sound is fitting and when your casino gets bigger it really does sound like you're there with all the bleeping, banging, and noise that goes with it.
+ Performance: the game runs great. For really big casinos with thousands of guests you may experience some sluggishness but it's not too bad. If your system meets the requirements for the game you'll be fine - disable any background stuff like virus scanners if you experience problems.
+ Entertainment: this game is just plain fun. Watching people play the games and get mad at losing or happy at winning is amusing. The best part - in my opinion - is clicking on individual people. You get a portrait, where they're from, their likes and dislikes, and you can comp them if desired. There's celebrities, average Joes, Bums, businessmen, etc that can frequent your casino. After you build a bar it gets really interesting....
- Replayability: this is perhaps the weakest part of the game. After you finish the scenarios and have unlocked all the buildings you may not desire to play the same exact buildings over and over again. Even though you can vary the placement of gambling items and establishments it is repetitious. Unfortunately once you've exhausted the scenarios there aren't any more gambling items or new buildings to put up so it wears thin at that point.

Take care