Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games 2005 - PC

The disc made a timely arrival. So far one of the games I most want to play (pool), won't. I installed the game on two computers and on the second, the game of pool wasn't even listed as an option.

I do like playing the games, but feel compelled to write this fairly negative review of the Hoyle Games pack I've now had for two months. There are a few little things about the interface which are irritating. There's no way configure most of the games beyond a very basic level. Double clicking doesn't work very well (in the games that support it.) Even when you check "don't ask me to confirm my selection" you still have to click at least one "are you sure?" button every step of the way. All in all, a pretty good game pack, but could be coded much better.

I bought this after previously owning the 2003 version of board and puzzle games. One major improvement is the cost. I used to pay 60 or more to upgrade each new version of Hoyle from year to year.I like that they included MAximum pool; though you need to unplug your gamepad or joystick from the USB port or the pool game won't run. I agree that sometime it is ridiculous to pay each year to get a few new games. But I feel the Hoyle has had the most user-friendly, presentation of classic games. I don't have errors running the games though the online system has bugs in it.. Nonetheless. you get three new games from last year. The game can be installed to the hard drive without needing the disk. The pool game is great. Plus you get a few games you can download onto a PDA. 36 games for 20 bucks is a great deal.

I've done some statistical studies on the various games and some of the games in the collection are programmed to cheat. The backgammon and battleship are especially bad. In backgammon, if the computer goes first, it wins 80% of the time. If you go first (and know what you are doing, you will win 65% of the time). 75% of the time the computer wins the initial toss.If the computer hits you in battleship on one of its first two shots, it wins 80% of the time.The chess has several rule error flaws with the 3x draw (if the computer makes 3 moves the same, it forces a draw - the rule is if BOTH sides make 3 moves in a row it's a draw).The checkers game will not jump unless it gets two jumps (or there's nothing left to do but a jump)It is a shame, because the game has a collection of excellent board games, the graphics are very good, the characters "trash talk" can be amusing from time to time (and you can turn it off - Rhett is especially funny!)

The Puzzle and Board games are both included here, on two CDs. One major improvement over the 2004 version is that after installation, the games can now be played without the CD.There are no new characters to play with, but there is one new game. Zilch, a dice game, has been added. In addition, the Facemaker does have several new characters that can be bought with earned Hoyle Bucks. These, like the others, can talk and are animated. Hoyle Bucks can also buy some alternate game boards and alternate dice, another new feature.These Hoyle Sierra games are highly recommended.

LOVE Hoyle board games! I bought this when you could play on line. You can't anymore, but it is still well worth the price! Playing against the computer is fun sometimes especially when I was an over the road truck driver and couldn't always find an internet connection! LOVE the "wordox" game which is similar to Scrabble! I really enjoyed making my own avatar, too!

Exactly what i was looking for and very happy with this product.

I am in my 30s and my mother in her 70s. We both have doctorate degrees and we both love this product. It has all the staple games - backgammon and mahjong are particular favorites, with many options. My mother found the crosswords a little too easy, but they are challenging to me.