Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games 2008

The disc was empty so I was unable to install or use it. The seller would not respond to my emails or snail mails. I also left a bad review with Amazon for the sale. I really wanted this game disc, but am reluctant to make further purchases, since this was a total waste of money. I am bitterly disappointed through no fault of Hoyle.

There are quite a number of bugs in this game. The most noticeable ones are:
1) In chess, the game will frequently end on a 3x repetition when this has not occurred (and usually when pounding the computer)! Come on - it gave me that once after I captured a piece!
2) In pachisi, it is very difficult to move the pieces - it frequently does not register where you have dropped it.
3) Many of the Hoyle Bucks goals do not register when they occur.

There are other minor irritants, but these three are the major ones.

The Hoyle Puzzle & Board Game CD actually gave me far more than I expected for the <$20 price. It features many of the games I used to play in my youth and, unlike a previous set that came with my computer, isn't filled with bugs and work-arounds. In fact, the computer-characters' responses are quite clever and challenging, forcing me to hone my skills and, after playing dozens of games, I haven't come across any real errors. The characters (and you can create new ones) are given a large vocabulary of appropriate remarks, including responses to either compliments or insults.

I am particularly impressed with the sophistication, variety and detail of the billiards game set - it allows all kinds of shots and even 'English' on the cue ball.

Minor annoyances: it takes seven or eight clicks (with waits between) to exit from Billiards, and the 'cosmic' accompaniment to the Sudoku is tremendously distracting to me, even though I like how each square allows highlighting all possibilities for that square.

Have not used it because it absolutely will not go on to my Vista computer. Help line at Vista has been zero help. Have to say Amazon is great in that it came quickly.

This game works well on a PC or a Mac. It has many great games.