Action AllStars.com (PC) Preview
Posted by Jonny Richardson on 01.28.2009
Hands on: Let's cop a feel of this charming browser-based sports title.
I'm not a fan of the word cute. It's overused, simple and makes me think of kittens. Yet I'm struggling to find any word which better summarises Action AllStars; a browser-based sports-themed virtual world (BBSTVW for short). If the fact that it's completely free isn't enough to sway you into regressing to your childhood and signing up right here and now, allow me to give you the 411 on this little gem.
Launched on December 12th of last year, Action AllStars is an online title which consists of a series of entertaining sports themed mini-games set in an interactive world, which is endorsed and supported by the NBA and the MLBAM. For those of us not fluent in strange alphabetical arrangements, these stand for the Nation Basketball Association and the Major League Baseball Advanced Media respectively. Developers 'Six Degress Games' have produced a charming title aimed at 6-14 year olds, with the specific goal of creating an online environment for kids that's both fun and safe. Special attention is being paid to keeping AAS a clean and safe place to be, with obligatory text filters and a team of dedicated overseers monitor the proceedings around the clock. On top of this, parents are more than welcomed to sign up and play (careful with the wording here) along-side their kids.
While providing a safe environment is always vitally important in a kids game, it‘s equally important that the game be fun. We could, for example, lock all children in padded cells. They‘d be safe; but by mollycoddling the environment so much, it stifles the chances of the kid having any fun. Luckily AAS has its bases covered in this department. Among the sports on offer are basketball, baseball, football, snowboarding and surfing. Moving from game to game is a simple case of clicking the relevant building on the world map. If you want to go snowboarding; click on the mountain peak. If you want to shoot hoops - head over to the Baller's Hall.
Action AllStars has a cartoon quality
The games themselves play well, and are entertaining. They reminded me strongly of the type of mini-games found in Purble Place, only more advanced. The longevity of the games are assured by the 'challenge' system, with tokens needing to be won from play in order to advance from ‘Rookie' to ‘AllStar'. In order to keep things fresh, Six Degress Games provide new challenges every day, and hold contests which are based upon real life stats. For instance, today the Rookie challenge for "Action AllStars Hoops" is to match the 15 points a Pistons player scored yesterday.
Action AllStars isn't simple a collection of mini games though - It's a social network! Upon joining the game, players are invited to create their own cartoony avatar or 'athlete'. I named my athlete Sazh (a character in the yet to be released Final Fantasy XIII), but wasn't particularly shocked (although a little saddened) that a there was no option for having a baby Chocobo living in your mighty afro.
After creating your athlete, the real customisation begins; with each player given their own "Home Turf" - a home area which can be decorated by the player. You can even invite others players over to admire your interior design skills. Both avatar and turf customisation can be bought using tokens; the currency obtained from completing mini-games. Unfortunately buying from stores is only possible with the real life purchase of a premium account, costing $5.95 a month.
Overall, AAS is a cute, fun little distraction that kids will love. My only major gripe is that customisation is only really possible by paying for an upgraded account, but in all fairness, the game is fully playable without these features and is just as fun. It's a game with frequent updates, and a world which will only grow and improve with time.
So if you'd like to be another name added to the impressively large bank of users; with over 100,000 sign-ups in the first 2 weeks alone, then head to Action AllStars.com and sign up!
