Designed to be more of a Trainer and also billed as a Stress Reliever, it has more scope than the DS games Gamezone has become accustomed to playing. This was designed as the result of research and testing by Dr. Mark Baldwin, and focuses on using familiar objects or names to help you "play". It is, in fact, work - just as it is when training the body in a gym - minus the sweating (maybe) and having to carry a towel. Water bottle optional. You begin by doing seemingly routine things that feel like simple product registration. GameZone thought they were filling out a Marketing profile, but was in fact setting up the core for how the game tests me. Names, dates and personal data is tossed back at you later - in various forms. "Bill" is not "Billy." That kind of nuance is critical for serious brain-training! Be honest and serious in that setup, or you are doomed to fail - as the game depends on those answers and how you feel towards them.
Gameplay 5
Graphics 6.5
Sound 6.5
Difficulty Medium
Concept 5.5
Overall 5.5
You would think a game scoring this low would be plagued with problems and complaints. The biggest problem with MindHabits is that it simply doesn't offer all that much. You've got four simple mini-games and not much else. The game is supposed to improve your social and mental well-being, but IGN is sure there are more effective outlets for that. As it is, it's simply hard to justify paying $20 for what is merely a shell of a game.
Presentation - 6.0
Graphics - 5.0
Sound - 7.0
Gameplay - 4.5
Lasting Appeal - 4.5
Overall -
MindHabits was designed as a tool to help people alter their general outlook on life and make them feel more positively about themselves. In the angst filled world we live in, one can imagine millions of people willing to stop buying self-help books to focus their energy on this game. No, it's not a therapist, and it isn't intended to be. It's simply a tool that can be used daily to gradually adjust the way you think or feel. Nothing is guaranteed, but it's worth a shot to all the insecure people dealing with negative self-image issues.
Kotaku writes: "Big week for new releases to take advantage of the Labor Day weekend shopping. Tuesday, Tiger Woods gets his Jesus on and Disgaea 3 comes out. Thursday, the highly anticipated Castle Crashers finally arrives on XBLA. And Friday, we have not only The Sims 2: Apartment Life, but also Prison Tycoon. If you rent in San Mateo, don't buy both, one will cover your entire range of experience."
