The Pogo casual game group of Electronic Arts recently released a deluxe version of their Casino Island game (download free trial here). It offers a "lite" suite of gambling games, including Texas Hold-em Poker, Video Poker, Blackjack, Slots, and Ride the Tide.
This is a good beginner set of games. It has all of the regular rules, including a helpful hint button, but it also gives options such as "always decline insurance" in Blackjack, which is great for more skilled players. In addition, there are power-ups available to jazz up the overall experience beyond the standard games, such as Spy Glasses to see an opponent's poker hand. If you achieve certain monetary goals, you will get a "comp" just as you would with regular casinos, and there is a comprehensive statistics section to track your progress in each game.
On the look and feel side, a Casino Island player can choose an avatar to represent themselves (like we offer at Meez), and the other game characters are an interesting bunch, which lightens up the gameplay. The graphics have a pleasant island theme, and the music fits the mood as well.
Verdict - a fun suite of casino games, with some extra features to liven up the game. Good for the whole family, but not for serious players
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