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Even Rare would admit that their introduction to life as a Microsoft-owned entity, and their subsequent move from Nintendo platform development to the Xbox 360, has been something of a turbulent period for the game maker. While games like Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo: Elements of Power didn't quite live up to the firm's reputation for excellence, the critical high-point in the company's less than ideal introduction to life as a Microsoft next-gen studio was perhaps the original Viva Piñata.

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Shamelessly overlooked by gamers the first time around, and not-really helped by Microsoft's kiddie-focussed marketing, which didn't really do the complexities of the game justice, we're hopefully that Rare's newly confirmed sequel will see the publisher telling people about the subtleties of this series in the right way, helping connect the 360's mature audience with an 'IP' that has plenty to offer everyone.

So, before we look at VP2 properly, let's hastily dismiss Bill Gates' ill-conceived description of the original, before moving forward: "We have a thing called Viva Piñata that's for young girls, where you're tending a garden and these animals come along..." Perhaps that retirement wasn't such a bad idea, eh Bill?

Viva Piñata 2, called 'Trouble in Paradise', has been in the works since the first game's release, and is presently scheduled for a September debut this year.

The original game was quite a gentle, cerebral 'gardening' experience, which mixed in elements of Populous, Harvest Moon, The Sims and, errm, Theme Park. Rare are looking to engender a more action-based experience this time around from what we can gather, and the game's title hints at more conflict than before.

Mean old Professor Pester has wiped Piñata Central's computer (I wonder if it was running Vista...), and now you've got help rebuild the database of the island's exotic, papery inhabitants, by luring them, capturing them, and supplying them to parties around the world.

Pester will be trying to disrupt your green-fingered exploits in new ways, and it'll be harder than before to keep your creatures safe. That said, the roster of beasties has been expanded to over 100, with 30 new Piñatas on offer. Another new dimension will be added to the experience in the shape of co-operative play and online action, allowing players to share their gardens, or even enlist a friend to help. The addition of second player will give another gardener full access to all the tools and options of the garden, and your second pair of hands will even be able to earn new magic abilities.

The co-operative play will also enhance Microsoft's family credentials, allowing parents to play through the game with their kids; just the kind of all-encompassing gaming Nintendo have already mastered, while Microsoft eye their non-hardcore appeal with envy. Despite this family friendly approach, Rare will sensibly offer players the chance to skip tutorials, meaning that old-hands won't be left frustrated by slow, frequently prompted, progress.

Magic will be useful in improving or modifying existing items, helping poorly Piñatas and the like. Terrain won't be limited to the green grass and mud of VP1, with snow and sand options attracting new species of Piñata into the mix. New themes will also be available to give gardens a more distinct look, space centers, pirate coves and haunted graveyards all possible. If all this were not enough, your garden is now bigger than ever, too (and you can roam a little further beyond its boarders as well). Oh, and you can even change the weather. Seriously.

If what you've heard so far sounds like little more than a ramping-up of the featureset offered in the original experience, you'll be pleased to see that spark of innovation Rare are more than capable of, in the form of the new Piñata Vision option. Plug in your Xbox 360's Live Vision Cam, head online, and you can download unique barcodes that when presented to the camera will see new content added to the game world. Gimmick or stroke of brilliance, only time will tell.

Beyond more visual variety and a general tightening of the game's appearance we're expecting more diverse ranges of behaviour from the Piñatas themselves, who will have more personality, and interact in more unpredictable ways. This AI-sprucing has also been sprinkled over your foe, Professor Pester, as he'll undertake devious new tactics to try and gain control of the island; and disrupt your garden.

The first Viva Piñata was a wonderful experience for those prepared to invest the time, and to look for the nuances beyond the obvious cartoon aesthetic, so we're hopeful that people will actually get Rare's new title, this time around.

1. this is awesome

   awesomeo Friday, 23 May 2008, 17:54:47

2. it suckes ass

   gey boy Friday, 23 May 2008, 17:56:54

3. gey boy sucks ass

   awesomeo Friday, 23 May 2008, 17:58:6

4. game kick ass ^^

   liquid39 Sunday, 25 May 2008, 21:49:5

5. its kool

   d Tuesday, 3 June 2008, 08:56:18

6. YES! there is a second one i cant wait this game rules

   VENOM Wednesday, 4 June 2008, 08:37:40