by Bill Gillette

Another casino simulation, can you believe it? As millions of Americans spending millions of dollars chasing the euphoria of a wager won, software manufacturers are eager to cash in on the frenzy. Many of these manufacturers must think that consumers in their blind haste to get in the gambling mode will waste a couple of bucks on any product that contains the word “CASINO.” Well, save your money because Island Casino is a bad bet and a sure loser.

Island Casino is a dismal attempt by Williams Entertainment to bring casino type games and associated ambiance into the home. The problem is, they don’t know what games are played in casinos nor do they know the rules, structure, and format for many of the games they did choose. A little research would have shown them that five card stud and draw poker haven’t been played in Las Vegas for at least 25 years. Dinosaurs to say the least. A quick trip to the library would have enabled them to give an accurate portrayal of Texas Hold-Em instead of something that bears absolutely no resemblance to the live game. It seems that the people at Williams would rather commit resources to the development of a glitzy package boasting of “Authentic gambling action” than the development of an authentic program to place in the package.

The remainder of this review is purely academic because anyone who has read this far will hopefully have no interest in reading any further. However, to satisfy the editor and any lost souls out there with a taste for the mundane, I must continue.

Desert Island
The action takes place at the El San Juan Hotel and Casino. The first thing the player does is listen to a spiel about the hotel and it’s restaurants and....blah, blah, blah. Next, it’s time to register and go to your room.....zzzzzzzz. Finally, an on screen menu allows the player to choose from the island games: Blackjack, American Roulette, European Roulette, Craps, Video Poker and Slots. Or choose from Las Vegas style games: Poker, Red Dog, Pai Gow, Video Blackjack, Video Keno, Craps and Money Wheel. Once your selection is made, a layout, that sometimes matches the real game, comes up. Using the mouse to activate various buttons, the player sets the betting limits, makes bets, spins slot reels or whatever action is necessary to play the game. Other buttons are for leaving the table, adjusting sound, and receiving game descriptions. You can also find games by wandering around the casino. This is accomplished by clicking on arrows that point in the direction that you want to go. There are 2 CDs in the package, with most of the gambling stuff on the first one. I’m not sure what’s on the second one because my machine kept spitting it out. Several bugs and crashes were encountered which indicated of inadequate beta testing. My personal favorite is being able to make two discards on the last round of betting in Texas Hold-Em.

Graphics
There’s not much to say here. Island Casino is graphically plain, non imaginative, and non exciting. The non gaming visualizations is clearly an advertising ploy for the benefit of the El San Juan Hotel and Casino.

Help
The help features are adequate. The manual isn’t much, but they do a fairly good job, on screen, of explaining how to play the various games.

Gameplay
The same as for all other casino simulations. Place a bet, activate play and await the outcome. After a few plays boredom sets in and you go to another game where after a few plays boredom sets in. The slot machines are the most realistic with Video Poker being the most entertaining because there is some strategy involved. However, the Tens-or Better machines used in this game are seldom if ever seen in casinos anymore. The least realistic were the poker games, especially Texas Hold-em where just about everything was wrong from the number of players to the betting structure. Seven Card stud has a bug and is totally unplayable. Omaha does not deal the correct number of cards, and there is a bug also rendering it unplayable.

Last Card
The more astute readers have by now guessed that I don’t like this game. Software people have never been able to simulate casino action in any entertaining or worthwhile fashion. This particular attempt is especially poor because Williams Entertainment demonstrates a total lack of concern for consumer satisfaction. When most people gamble, they “take the worst of it” but this is ridiculous!

Pros
•  You get two CDs. (Useful if you own a double barreled shotgun)

Cons
• Cost is more than it’s worth
• Poorly formatted
• Too many inaccuracies
• The educational value is corrupted
• The entertainment value is minimal
• Bugs galore

Publisher Info
970-522-1844
support@gtinteractive.com
        http://www.gtinteractive.com/