EA Sports Active 2 provides true fitness results with a heart rate monitor and a wireless control system.
Goods:
+ + It works!
+ (Often) Working motion sensing control system.
+ Two programs to help you get fit.
+ Virtual trainer and fitness tools will keep you motivated.
Bads:
- Rarely occurring control problems. But once they occur they're frustrating & tiring.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game-play = 8/10
First, we are going to talk about the game in general, like how does it starts and what does it offer before tackling Game-Play issues.
(I really don't like calling this a GAME!)
Menus and options are simple and easy to navigate through. Also, music and atmosphere are great for a workout game. Tutorials are given every now and then, and for every exercise you will go through in the game. Presentation is simple here and quite good.
Now the game sets in a dessert oasis, and it starts with an avatar creation and data inputting. You have to enter some information about yourself (e.g. weight, height, age...etc), then customize your avatar and build him/her up according to your preferences. You also have the option to choose whether you want to workout with the resistance band given with the game, or to work with you own weights.
After that, the game gives you the option to choose between two workout programs. One is the "9-Week-Program", the other is the "Cardio-Kick-Start". Both programs are available in three difficulties: Easy, Normal, Hard. Also both have a warm up session before getting into the exercise, and a cool down session after finishing the exercise.
If you are lacking fitness (Beginner) then go with the "Cardio-Kick-Start". This program is a Kick Start for beginners to tone up and try to catch some fitness before going into the real deal. It lasts 3 weeks only, and its workouts are ranged between 20-30 minutes only (Burning 70 calories average). So it's a very good way to start your fitness journey.
On the other hand, the "9-Week-Program" is set with 3 different phases, each phase lasts for 3 weeks, in the end it's "9-Weeks". In the beginning of this program, workouts range from 20-25 minutes (Burning 70 calories average). But toward the end, they will reach 40+ minutes (Burning 170+ calories). This shows that this is not just another game, this is serious fitness!
In case you are wondering what these phases are, here:
Phase 1 - Foundation
Here you build strength, work on your balance and improve stability. The sequence of exercises tends to give you time so that your muscles and heart rate can recover.
Phase 2 - Form and Function
Now less time is given between exercises thus bumping your heart rate and pushing your muscles even more.
Phase 3 - Performance
This is where the real Cardio begins. Longer activities that will get you heart rate going so that you burn more calories.
The 9-Week-Program helps in building muscles, and increasing your aerobic capacity. Not forgetting that it works on your balance, stability, flexibility and mentality. It also helps you to overcome plateaus due to the change in intensity after every phase.
The game also offers separated workout schedules in case you wanted a change from the given programs. Also, there is an option that will generate a workout according to what you need (e.g. want to focus on Ab's, generate a workout with intense core exercises).
Regardless of the program/workout you choose, you can workout alone or with a friend. You can also create/join online groups so that you bring friends or maybe some challenge in your workouts.
There are some other fitness tools that the game offers like setting up goals, lifestyle tips, nutrition tips, survey's... etc. All these tools can help you to stay in the workout atmosphere.
Now after giving details about the presentation and options, we will discuss the wireless motion sensing controls.
They work very well!
Yes, controls are super, but sometimes (rarely) the game can't read what you are doing. Thus you need to repeat, or sometimes hold in an intense position which is frustrating and sometimes gets you tired... Especially if you are working with weights. Luckily these don't happen a lot, but they do happen.
But in the end of the day, great wireless motion-sensing controls but there are some flaws… But never a let down flaws.
Story = N.A.
No story available... I guess you make your own here! ;)
Graphics = 8/10
I don't know why to bother with graphics here if the game is really offering a decent workout and a GYM alternative. But the graphics are very good to be honest. They are not bad at all.
The backgrounds are inspiring for workouts; remember that the exercises set in a desert oasis. Some workouts occur in a basketball, soccer, or boxing fields/rring and these come with quite good backgrounds as well. Characters are average, nothing so special but not bad at all.
Sounds and Music = 8/10
I really liked how the creators mixed the music in this game. They are suited very well with every exercise. The main them is defiantly something that will stuck in your ears.
Say you don't like the games music, then you can have your own playlist. The game offers this option, but personally I workout with the games' music because it works very good with the exercises.
Lasting = 10/10
If you are serious about getting fit and you don't want to drive to the GYM, then this game will last forever with you. I've been working with it for the past 3 months and I'm not leaving it anytime soon! Not forgetting that some DLCs are coming up, so they will make you come back for more.
Overall = 8.5/10
Wireless motion sensing controls, a heart rate monitor and a working fitness tool make EA Sports Active 2 a real GYM.