From Rags to Riches

Should I go to school or start working right away? Will I be happier in a house in the suburbs or in an apartment in the middle of the city? Is marriage in the cards? Real life is filled with many decisions and your virtual existence in the Game of Life is no different. This computer game from Hasbro Interactive plays much like the the classic board game, except there are no tokens to keep track of, no game pieces to lose. What's more there are two fun ways to play, giving you a little extra spice to that variety of life:

The Classic Board Game is virtually identical to the board game we all now and love, complete with life tiles and that special spinner that determines your pace, whereas the the Enhanced Game throws in some additional bells and whistles for a truly original experience. It is here that you get to enjoy some absolutely hilarious comic hijinks, participate in original mini-games to make some extra money, and much, much more.

Ever wonder what could have been? Now you can find out, going through the trials, tribulations, and parties of your college years, building up a nest egg during your working life, and finally settling into a comfortable retirement, all without ever leaving your living room. This is just as much a game of chance as it is one of strategy and skill... A spin of the wheel, a flip of the cards, what does fate hold for you? Success or failure, it's up to you in the Game of Life!

A Little Luck on Your Side

Take the spinner for a whirl and make your way across the vast game board, starting out in the 1950s, progressing through each of the decades, before finally arriving in the new millennium, comfortably ensconced in your convertible sports car, possibly with the spouse and kids in tow! Take that cheery cartoon avatar for a ride and see where life's road takes you. Of course, you'll need to have a little luck on your side too! One of the first major decisions you'll have to make is whether you want to go to college or start out on a career right away (not to discount the value of childhood, of course). Should you choose the former, you'll have to fork up your tuition up front and spend the time hitting the books, but upon graduation, you'll have a greater number of choices when it comes to choosing your occupation, as well as a greater possibility of earning a more substantial salary. By contrast, if you choose career, you're at the mercy of a slot machine-like device for your given calling in life as well as how much you'll be earning.

Along the way, you'll hit several milestones, like marriage, buying your first home, and witnessing the birth of your first child. You will also have the opportunity to purchase car insurance, home insurance, and even dabble in the stock market! For this last option, you choose a number from one to nine, and each time that number comes up on the spinner -- whether it is your turn or not -- you receive some fantastic dividends. And depending on your career, you will receive additional funds above and beyond your salary. The accountant is paid during tax time, the doctor receives fees for medicine, and so on. Retire a millionaire? Maybe.

Challenge a Friend

Up to five players can play The Game of Life. You can play with computer-controlled opponents, human players at the same computer, or any combination of the two. Enjoy those amusing 3D rendered graphics, take in the contextual music of each decade (the pop rock of the 80s are my personal favorite), and even choose from sixteen unique characters. Hasbro Interactive has paid a lot of attention to the fine details too: for example, the faces at the bottom of the screen that represent each of the players, they look at the character whose turn it is currently.

A Timeless Classic

Just as the digital versions of Monopoly, Scrabble, and other legendary board games made the experience richer, fuller, and more easily accessible, the computer game rendition of The Game of Life is an instant classic. You'll laugh at the creative comics interspersed between turns, you'll smile at the quirks of the cartoon characters, and you will quickly discover that the best advice is something we've all heard before: Live life to its fullest!