Trivial Pursuit Unhinged

Board game conversions are something we're seeing a lot more of in the world of video games. And while they're not in the most competitive of genres, there is adequate demand for them. Players don't have to clean up afterwards, and there's no cheating, which is why Atari and Artech have brought the world renowned Trivial Pursuit to PC.

At a basic level, the game of Trivial Pursuit sees players rolling the dice and answering questions within a predetermined category in an attempt to acquire six wedge-like board pieces and ultimately win the game. That's classic Trivial Pursuit, and it's heavily featured in Unhinged.

However, this virtual incarnation affords its players the ability to compete against others using two other rule sets. Flash mode is a mini-game of sorts that simply focuses on questions and answers as players race to the top of a trivia ring. Unhinged mode, however, is a rather unique variation of the original game. Players must roll the dice and answer questions as before, but in an addition to the standard board are a number of special spaces that, if landed on, give players the opportunity to swing the balance in their favour. Conversely, there are a number of spots that can hinder a player's progress. There are teleport spaces, random category spaces, even spaces that pass questions on to other players.

But the most worthwhile feature of Unhinged is online play. Designed for up to six players, Trivial Pursuit veterans can complete globally against any combination of local and online participants. It's an attribute rarely seen in such a niche genre, but it's a very welcome addition.

Trivial Pursuit is nothing revolutionary or ground-breaking, but it's great for those times when friends visit for a quiet night in.