Jackbox Party Pack 3 Review (Xbox One)

STAFF REVIEW of Jackbox Party Pack 3 (Xbox One)

Monday, October 31, 2016.
by John Elliott

Whether its at a social gathering or through some online streaming, Jackbox Party games have been a staple for this gamer when wanting hilarious good times with friends. Each game is unique and encourages the players to flex their brains, artistic ability and bring out their inner stand up comedian. The only limitations in these games is your imagination and if you have a great group of players ready for a good time, you just never know what to expect. Jackbox Party Pack 3 builds on the previous releases with some new titles and sequels and this gamer couldn't wait for an excuse to get his friends together and starting playing.

Though this title is platformed for the Xbox One, you don't actually use your controllers for game play. Using a computer, tablet or smartphone, you control your actions through your computer screen or devices touchscreen. In order to connect to the game you will be prompted to put in your room code that you obtain from the host at Jackbox.tv. Once in a game you can be asked to answer questions from a list of options, create your own responses or even draw answer illustrations. One of the great things playing on your own device makes possible is opening up the player field. Even if your friends don't see eye to eye on gaming platforms, the likelihood of them having a smartphone or tablet is high and therefore they can join in the fun. The ability to play through live streaming like twitch.tv also means you don't all have to be huddled around your living room on games night to play. The only issue that I have found through streaming though is that there can be a lag between the host game screen and the individual devices. While in the player action screens its best to focus on your own device as opposed to the main screen to make sure you don't miss any questions.

So, you've logged into jackbox.tv, your munching on snacks and you are wondering, what do we play?For this third installment, we've been graced with five games: Quiplash 2, Trivia Murder Party, Guesspionage, Tee K.O., and Fakin' It. Each game has a set number of minimum players needed which may impact your selection depending on your group size. Though you can play some games with 1 or even 2 players, these titles are definitely more enjoyable with more players and some even require 3.

Quiplash 2 (3-8 players)
In Quiplash 2 you are prompted to answer two questions usually the silliest or more obscene answer has the best chance of winning. After everyone answers their questions they get shuffled up and the players get to vote on their favourite. The person who gets the most votes wins. Obviously this is a title that yields a lot of laughs and brings out some of the crude, lewd and downright awful sides of your friends. This is pretty much what Quiplash was but this time aside from new questions you have the opportunity to create your own weird prompts to suit your friends and families.

Trivia Murder Party (1-8 players)
This title was the one that intrigued me the most as I have some good memories attending Trivia Murder Parties in the past and love the concept. Unlike my Trivia Murder parties of the past this version takes more of a Saw approach where everyone who is at the party must answer trivia questions and if you get them wrong you will most likely die. Only your wits can keep you alive and you are put into a sudden death situation. Don't worry if you die though because you're not booted from the game and you get to continue as a ghost until the last person is dead or has escaped from the party. This is a little bit different than I expected but different can be good.

Guesspionage (2-8 players)
Guesspionage was a really interesting title as it scratches your Family Feud itch. Jacbox has surveyed people using cameras, audio recordings and just about any kind of surveillance they could get their hands on. Oh, they claim to have surveyed people on the internet but both you and I know that the Jackbox team logo looks like a Big Brother type and we shouldn't believe in these government brain washed peons!

However, when playing this “game” you are presented with a fact like “BLANK percentage of people haven't had brunch in their lifetime.” If it's your turn you get to guess the percentage and the closer you are the more points you get. However, the other players get to guess if they think it's lower or higher and get points of their own. Sounds pretty boring on paper, I thought it would be but some of the questions and answers are rather intriguing.

Tee K.O. (3-8 players)
This title has you draw right off the bat and there is no rhyme or reason to what you draw. It can be anything a cat, missile, a blade of grass or some abstract art. It doesn't matter you just draw three things and after that you create some slogans and everything gets mixed and matched up to create some t-shirts that duel it out to see who reigns supreme. Who wins the matches between t-shirts is all voted on by the players and points are awarded to the players who had their art or slogan on the t-shirt. Most points win this competition and trust me there will always be a t-shirt combination that will have you keeled over grabbing your ribs in laughter.

Fakin’ It (3-6 players)
Fakin' It is the first game from Jackbox that it is not streaming friendly. For this game you have to be able to see the other players as they perform actions based on a secret instruction given to all but the “Faker”. Participants will perform one of four actions: raising their hands, holidng up fingers, pointing or making facial expressions. After this, the group will determine who didn't get the instructions and made it up as they went along. Get your poker faces and excuses ready because you'll need them to get out on top in this game.

Suffice to say I thoroughly enjoyed Jackbox Party Pack 3 and it was quite refreshing to have a whole new suite of games to play from these great creators. There is enough variety for all type of party gamers and hilarity is almost guaranteed to ensue. If you're looking for a laid back approach to playing some party games without having to whip out some cards or other board games than Jackbox Party Pack 3 is something you should pick up and as anowner of all of their titles I highly suggest you pick them all up.

Overall: 9.0 / 10
Gameplay: 9.0 / 10
Visuals: 8.0 / 10
Sound: 9.0 / 10

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STAFF REVIEW of Jackbox Party Pack 3 (Xbox One)

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