Customer Reviews

Hoyle Table Games 2004

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've owned several Hoyle games in the past and simply cannot recommend this one. The games themselves look interesting, but the intrusive copy restriction strongly weakens the value of this product. The fragile CD must be in the drive whenever the game is played (the copy restrictions also defeat virtual CD type programs).

While this may seem like a minor issue, it isn't for me. I was burned once by Sierra when they decided to drop replacement disks for another copy restricted game years ago. I refused to buy another product from them for several years, up until Hoyle Casino last year. Needless to say, I'm not exactly thrilled to see these types of copy restrictions again. Now that I've had a sample of the new copy restrictions, this alone will prevent me from buying any more Sierra games.

But that is not all that is wrong with Hoyle Table Games 2004. I was not able to get Maximum Pool to even run (WinXP). Sierra's solution (on their web site) is to disconnect any gamepad or joystick connected to the computer. Sadly, my computer throws a fit when the gamepad isn't attached (I often have to reinstall when I want to use it again).

Finally, like many Hoyle games, the AI seems heavily weighted in favor of the computer players. I've virtually given up on Hoyle Casino because of this (I almost always lose), and Hoyle Table Games may join Casino in the closet if I don't see better results. I like a challenge, but not to be defeated virtually every single time.

Anyway, that's my take on Hoyle Table Games 2004. Hopefully some of this will prove useful for you.

First, their draw by three fold repetion is off.
second, their expert level probably isn`t even rated 1000
This is the worst excuse for a game I have ever seen.

My first order never arrived; I bought another. Finally it arrived, after searching and searching for a PC Dominoes game that I can learn myself. This game is so elementary and limited, you cannot even decide for yourself when you have a choice of which end to lay the tile, the computer makes that decision. Darn it. The search goes on. Dominoes has many games, complex variable games as well, and this should have supplied the options.

This is the second game set I've bought from Hoyle and I am once again very satisfied with it. This particular set gives you 18 games (plus a bonus poker game), so you're bound to found at least a few that you'll want to play from time to time.

The graphics are really nice and the interactive players are a nice touch. On the downside, I wish the game would allow playing against other players on the Web.

The Hoyle board games appear to use loaded dice in order to manage the level of expertise. Alternatively, maybe they just have a really bad algorithm. You guys understand random number generation don't you? In any case, the games can be very frustrating because the AI opponent seems to get an ideal roll of the dice way more than logic or statistics would permit, and rolls sometimes repeat themselves over and over, especially doubles.

I own every hoyle game Sierra ever came out with and everyone that you play, you must insert the cd for it to work properly.
if you don't insert the cd, the voices & music does not work.
I see know problem putting in the cd. I love these games and thier characters keep them coming!

The games are good; however, the CD did not arrive in a box as it appears in the picture and stated in the description by the seller. It arrived in a small paper holder that one would use when burning a CD. The downloading instructions were printed on top of the CD itself. Using Windows Vista causes problems with accessing the help menu of the games. I had the original Hoyle Table Games 2004 made by Sierra but lost it. I purchased this one to replace it but this CD game stated it was an "Encore" game.

This is a good collection of games for a break in the day, or a brain challenge to keep you on your toes. It's quick, fun, and provides a variety of choices for you to spend a little "play" time.

This set of games is addictive, especially if you are competitive and you enjoy playing pool. The games are cool to play and the talk back feature is great, I think. You can throw a pie in one of the characters faces. lol. The maximum pool has several versions of pool, like cutthroat or snooker, which I haven't seen in many games. Plus, if you think your good at chess, this will make you really think before you move.

I have heard a million reasons why inserting the CD is annoying or it could get lost etc - all of which are great reasons against requiring the CD in the drive. I always go back to consoles and think the PC has every right to require the same as the consoles. There is, however, a MAJOR thing that Hoyle/Sierra forgot and they are frankly dumb as dirt to forget this:

Who plays this game? I'd wager a very significant percentage of the purchasers are people like me that wanted the game for our LAPTOPS! I just bought a new tablet PC and would love to sit and play some simple games on the plane that don't require action or awesome CPU power and I can play while I fly or wait at the airport. I have truly abused the poor poker players on Hoyle Casino 2003 for this reason, yet never loaded it on my desktop (which plays Doom 3 quite well thank you) ;)

So, now Sierra lost me as a customer simply because I *cannot* play this game. I have no CD drive in my laptop. My other laptop I've been using has a CD drive but I take it out and replace it with a battery. Putting the drive in means I can't play the game cause it would suck my remaining battery dry. plus, other than for the game, I haven't travelled with a CD drive in years.

What a group of dummies running the marketing department at Sierra.