INTRODUCTION
Straight out of THQ’s creative bullpen comes “Barnyard,” a video game inspired by its namesake Nickelodeon movie. So, have you ever dreamt of being a cow? To be exact, a novice cow navigating through a farm, earning respect from fellow bovines, and unlocking new places? Well, folks, you’ve just hit the jackpot!
LEARNING THE ROPES
When you set hoof in this cow universe, you’ll notice that you’re no ordinary creature on a mission. You begin your bovine journey needing keys to explore the Barnyard map. How does one acquire said keys? By accomplishing various tasks and winning the esteem of other cows, of course! The control mechanism couldn’t be more accessible, even if you have hooves. The WASD or arrow keys are your walking GPS, while a simple mouse click and drag adjust your line of sight. Get this: You can even aim and shoot milk at your rivals! Gender doesn’t matter; male cows are equally talented milk-gunners. All in all, it is a pretty marvelous interface!
EXPLORE, DISCOVER, PLAY
Now that your hooves are wet, it’s time to talk about the grand Barnyard universe. Listen, this isn’t your Grandma’s farm where the only excitement is counting sheep. The game’s world map is an expansive sandbox filled with ample content. Are you the adventurous type? New areas await your bovine curiosity. Fancy some destruction? Barrels are just sitting there, begging to be smashed. And for those who love competitions, there are minigames galore. Whether it’s showing your impeccable aim in “whack-a-raccoon,” striking down pins in bowling, or engaging in some Tour de Farm bicycle racing, you won’t run out of things to do.
KEEP YOUR STAMINA UP, COWBOY!
All these adventures are not for the faint of hoof. Stamina plays a significant role, decreasing as you trot around. Recharging your energy is vital because, let’s face it, no one wants to be a sitting duck—or cow—for the predatory raccoons and coyotes. You’ve got to keep your eyes peeled and your hooves ready. Resting isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for survival. Remember, a well-rested cow is a well-defended cow.
WATCH OUT FOR THE FARMER AND OTHER FOES!
You might think that your primary enemy in a game full of cows would be boredom, but you’d be mistaken! Besides the raccoons above and coyotes that occasionally treat the farm like their personal buffet, there’s the Farmer. This guy is like the Farmville NSA; you do NOT want him to catch you with both feet on the ground. Stealth and evasion are as much a part of the game as milk-spraying and barrel-smashing.
CONCLUSION
So, what makes “Barnyard” for Wii the total cow package? It combines easy controls, a vast, interactive world, and a quirky collection of tasks and challenges. But perhaps the natural cherry on top—or should we say, the milk in your coffee—is the sense of humor that permeates every aspect of the game. Whether you’re male or female, young or old, “Barnyard” serves up a delightful concoction of farm-life simulation, action, and fun that’s hard to resist.
So pull on your virtual cow boots and prepare for fantastic adventures in “Barnyard.” Whether you’re in it for the fame, the game, or just to say you’ve lived a day in the life of a cow, this game’s got something for everyone. And that, my friends, is no bull.
