- Platform: IBM PC Compatible
- Release Date: November 15, 1999
- Genre: Traditional
- Style: Gambling
- Similar Games: Hoyle Casino [1998] (Hybrid Windows/Mac), Hoyle Slots and Video Poker (Hybrid Windows/Mac), Hoyle Craps and Blackjack (Hybrid Windows/Mac), Blast! Software: Casino Master (IBM PC Compatible)
Game Description
Hoyle Casino boasts over 100 Las Vegas-style variations of blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and slot machines. Play begins with a walk-through of a virtual casino from which the player can select the type of game he or she wishes to play. If slots are your game, you can pick from nickel, quarter or dollar slot machines in one of a number of imaginative motifs. Craps and roulette are available at various maximums and minimums per table. Poker can be played at a number of different table minimums as can blackjack -- both games can be played with other "virtual" player-characters participating in the action.If playing against "virtual" opponents is not challenging enough, the player with an Internet connection can hook up to the
~ James W. Brumbaugh, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
Hoyle Casino is influenced by the worldwide penchant for gambling at casinos throughout the world. The game focuses on Las Vegas or Atlantic City type gambling facilities. One of a series of~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
I was initially attracted to Hoyle Casino for two reasons: one, because it contains both poker and blackjack games and, two, because the game comes with "virtual" opponents against which the player can compete. Only one of these was a good reason for evaluating the worthiness of this game for purchase.I found it rather difficult to find one casino-type game that had both poker and blackjack as game options. These games are both implemented very well and there are ten poker variations alone in this title. For the connoisseur of this sort of gaming, Hoyle Casino has a lot to offer.
The opponents, on the other hand, leave a lot to be desired. The seven interactive personalities that can be designated to sit at the poker and blackjack tables with the player get very tiresome after the first fifteen minutes of play. Each one will spout phrases at various phases in a game based upon their personality profile and, after a short while, they begin repeating themselves. Thankfully, their speech capabilities can be disabled. However, I hate to have to disable any portion of a game because it begins to grate on me. That simply tells me that the portion of the game that I turned off should never have been implemented in the first place.
The roulette, craps and blackjack tables all have dealer/operators that also began to annoy me after a very short time. Unfortunately, these can not be turned off. The roulette and craps games, as well as the slot machines, are all fairly standard in themselves and this sort of entertainment could probably be purchased in a number of casino products on the market today.
The Internet play option is interesting, if one would like to compete against other human players without wagering any real cash. I think this play option is preferable to listening to the incessant prater of the virtual characters.
The game does have quite a few options and some rule variations, so for the serious card player, Hoyle Casino might be a reasonable purchase. However, for the average gamer, I find it difficult to recommend this product. The "virtual casino" that is touted on the back of the box is nothing more than a series of screens through which the player can maneuver to get to a specific machine or table. None of the characters are interactive and all selections can be made from the menu bar if desired. One trip through the virtual casino and you'll never do it again.
Hoyle Casino tries hard to create a casino-like atmosphere but it sadly falls short of the mark. If you're interested in Internet play without a lot of interaction from the game itself, then it probably won't annoy you as much as it did me.
~ James W. Brumbaugh, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Enjoyment of this title really depends upon the mode in which it is played. The amount of happiness derived from the virtual players will get old after a short time but the opportunity to play against live humans is a factor in this title's favor. Therefore, it all depends upon how you use it.~ James W. Brumbaugh, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
The graphics are adequate but there really isn't a lot that goes on with them. The virtual characters are cartoon-like and there are very few animations to be created with respect to cards, dice, chips and wheels.~ James W. Brumbaugh, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
There are sound effects that accompany actions taking place in the game but there is no music with the exception of the opening sequence. Again, it tries to create an "atmosphere" surrounding gameplay but there isn't enough real "meat" there to allow players to immerse themselves in the experience.~ James W. Brumbaugh, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
There is quite a lot of replay value when playing against human opponents. There is little against the virtual ones, so there is not much point in buying this title unless you intend to pursue the Internet play options.~ James W. Brumbaugh, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
Documentation consists of an eight-page CD pamphlet and six of those pages contain summaries of the games and the players. There might as well be no documentation at all. The free poker rule book is a plus, if the purchaser is a player interested in learning all the ins and outs of successful poker play.~ James W. Brumbaugh, All Game Guide
