Brain Show proves that trivia games are still popular. However, this particular title focuses on local and Remote online play rather than a single-player experience. Consequently, this is a little frustrating if you wish to test your knowledge with no friends around. As such, this will reduce its appeal and that is a shame. However, before I prematurely conclude my review, let’s look at its many plus points.
Developed and published by Simplicity Games, this is a colourful trivia game. What’s more, it is reminiscent of Buzz!: Quiz TV. This was a game I adored and something that was a little unusual. Subsequently, I knew I’d enjoy my time with this even if it has some irksome qualities.
Brain Show will test your grey matter.
Like the best game shows, Brain Show is all glitz and glam. Moreover, its eccentric host is charismatic, OTT, and just a bit sarcastic. Consequently, if you have a troublesome round, the snarky AI won’t let you forget it. On top of this, the interesting and varied rounds will pit you against your friends and will cause plenty of arguments. Yet, it is this competitive edge that makes it so moreish and tough to put down when enjoyed with the right group of friends.
The action takes place over 6 rounds and can be completed by up to 8 players. Furthermore, there are over 5000 questions and 41 categories to choose from. As each round begins, a different player can select the topic from 4 options. This was an excellent choice, as it ensured that most players had the opportunity to excel. You’ll select from a whole host of topics and there is something for everyone. At times, however, some of the questions are stupidly random and this caused confusion and plenty of guesswork. But this was amusing and made myself and my friends chuckle a fair bit.
It’s all about the points.
No matter the setup for each round, the aim was simple. Individually, you must collect the most points before the final round. Rounds 1-5 present a unique and random challenge. Yet, the conclusion is always the same, and this was unfortunate, but to be expected. Accordingly, en route to the finish, you’ll enjoy a few lighthearted tactical choices as you’ll gamble your points, volunteer to answer questions, choose another player to answer a harsh question or drop the dynamite on a friend.
Whatever happens, it is guaranteed to cause arguments and make you laugh. Additionally, the traditional AI host was fantastic. His witty comments, sharp attitude, and charismatic approach are reminiscent of every great American TV host. As such, you’ll chuckle at his backhanded compliments and the way he deals with failure.
Brain Show is wonderfully cliched.
Game shows are a cliched mess that you either love or hate. I enjoy testing my grey matter, but I don’t particularly like the glitz and glamour that comes with the territory. Consequently, I tend to enjoy them in very short bursts. Brain Show was no different! This casual trivia title is wonderfully cliched and perfectly representative of the genre. However, its vivid nature and “Hollywood” finish were uncomfortable for extended periods.
I feel exactly the same about the audio. I chuckled at the sneaky comments and the silly nature of the sound bites. However, it was a little repetitive and if you play it a lot, it soon becomes tiresome. As such Brain Show wasn’t expansive enough. Its cynical one-liners and snappy responses will get under your skin and you’ll want the host to shut his mouth sooner, rather than later.
A wide choice of inputs.
I applaud the developers for their excellent control setup. You are free to use a controller or your keyboard. What’s more, you can play locally and share one keyboard, or you can go online and use the Remote play option. The latter choice was fantastic as only the host is required to purchase the game. Consequently, this makes it a great investment if you have extended family that can’t meet up in person. My only complaint is that you cannot map the buttons for each player. Therefore, you are limited to the developer’s choices, and this may frustrate some players.
Replay value and longevity are subjective. As there is no single-player option, you are limited to when you can play Brain Show. Accordingly, this annoyed me, as I wanted to enjoy the game by myself and this wasn’t possible. Additionally, the in-your-face host and the repetitive sound bites reduce your patience and make this an ideal causal experience.
Brain Show ticks many boxes.
On the whole, Brain Show does many things right. Yet, I think the lack of single-player action and the sarcastic host are major negative points. What’s more, no button mapping is a huge letdown as it will frustrate many players. However, this is great fun with the right people and when played in small doses. As such, I enjoyed it and recommend you buy it here! Can you prove that you are more intelligent than your friends? Choose your avatar, select your category, and score the most points.
