Hot Brain Review

System: PSP
Dev: Midway
Pub: Midway
Release: June 18, 2007
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Review by Cole Smith

Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

Practice makes perfect, or in this case, practice makes you less of an idiot. There are three modes: Practice, Test, and multiplayer. In the practice mode, you can tackle any categories that you want. The test mode features a series of exams that utilize all of the categories equally.

There are 15 tests in each exam, three questions for each of the five categories. This mode never forgets. It plots your progress, or lack thereof, and saves it for comparison against future attempts. At the end of the test, you'll be given a temperature rating. It's based on the number of correct answers and the speed in which you answer them. A score of 120-degrees is what you're shooting for. Good luck.

Hot Brain screenshot

There are three modes. The easy mode is really easy, and eventually you'll unlock the medium mode which will give you more of a challenge. The most difficult mode is where most gamers will feel as though they're really getting a workout as they perform under pressure. This is where it counts. Fortunately, you'll have enough experience from the easy mode to feel more comfortable in the hard mode.

Up to four people can take part in the multiplayer mode, but this game is best played alone. Don't you already look foolish enough in front of your friends?

There are two different modes, both are ad hoc and require a separate copy of the game. The Think Tank mode is a collaborative mode in which players tackle the same puzzle at the same time in an attempt to heat things up. The other mode is a competition mode called Brain Race in which players try to see who can get a "red hot" score first. Don't expect a lot of replay value out of this mode since it's more of a novelty, and game sharing is not an option.

Hot Brain screenshot

Hot Brain will not give you endless hours of entertainment. It's meant to be savored a little bit at a time. The lack of any extra puzzles or mini-game severely reduces the replay value. Best to rent this game if you've already played any of the other Brain-related games.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer

Features:

A highly entertaining host character, voiced by Fred Willard (Best in Show, Anchorman) will guide, tutor, and encourage the player throughout the game.

Hot Brain features five challenging categories with hundreds of timed challenges in each that test your brain powers in logic, memory, math, language, and concentration.

The controls are simple and intuitive, and are geared toward fast-reaction gameplay. Each potential answer to a given Challenge is mapped to a controller button, allowing even a novice PSP system user to start playing immediately.

Fire up your mind with four main game modes including two multiplayer modes (Brain Race and Think Tank) and two single player modes (Test Mode and Practice).

Practice - Practice mode is the core of the game. The player is encouraged to practice on a regular basis, which (according to theory) will stimulate the mind and help raise the test scores.

Test Mode - The test mode quizzes the player in each of the five categories. The player is given a score for each category and an overall performance score. Players try to get their brain to be "On Fire," the highest score they can achieve

Brain Race is a competitive event in which 2-4 players are presented with a series of timed Challenges. The goal is to be the first player to raise their brain temperature to "Red Hot."

Think Tank is a cooperative multiplayer event in which 2-4 players work together to solve Challenges and raise the temperature of the 3D brain onscreen until it reaches critical mass.

Rating out of 5	Rating Description
2.4	Graphics Very simple graphics, lots of loads to sit through.
4.0	Control Easy to use control system. Too easy.
2.5	Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting Not much in the way of ambient sound effects. Sparse music.
2.1	Play Value This game is best played alone, a few minutes at a time. No extra puzzles or mini-games.
3.1	Overall Rating - Fair Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

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