The popular Scene It? DVD game makes its way to the Xbox 360 with the release of Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action. Microsoft's Scene It? game is a fun entry level party game that is suitable for teens to adults that have an affinity for movie trivia. While you can play the game with your trusty Xbox 360 controller, it comes with four big button buzzer controllers (Xbox 360 Big Button Pads) color coded so each player knows who they are on the screen for less confusion.
These controllers use regular batteries (packed in with the game, thankfully) and a sensor that you plug into the 360. They are designed to be held in one hand, and the big colored buzzer button on top makes it easy to chime in when that's what the game requires.
There are two play options in the game: Party play and Play Now. Party mode is a random , looser version of the game without the idiotic voice-overs. There's not much difference between the two modes, save that Play Now has more structure and doesn't show everyone's answers on the screen. Playing party mode and having the answers on the screen was kind of a bone head play on the developer's part but if you are an honest person (and the other three players have some sportsmanship) you'll be able to get through it without getting into a verbal scrape with someone about being a cheater..
Play Now is a more structured version of the game, complete with an idiotic announcer that reminds me of Joey from Full House. Nitwit aside, this is the place where the game really shines. The game is set in a Hollywood movie lot where Uncle Joey (the host) will give you a tour of the studio and ask you to help out with some part of production. There are several different types of mini-games you'll play in different areas of the studio. One (Child's Play) involves naming an actor or title of a film by watching a sketch being drawn - if you can guess what it is you hit the buzzer and choose from a list of multiple choice answers. In another game you are asked to solve the puzzle by reading credits, another one shows you a film clip and questions you on some key moments from it.
There's a lot of variety in the way the game challenges players to answer these trivia questions, and most of the questions have a decent range that will challenge most players. The great thing is that there are questions for all kinds of movie goers - comedy, drama, action, etc. The game does a good job of offering something that everyone can relate to.
Once each round is over you are awarded bonus points for things like being fastest to buzz in or answer a question, answering consecutive questions correctly getting every question in a puzzle category right, etc. After the three rounds are up you head to the final round where you'll head back to a screening room to watch a clip and answer questions about it. The final round is tricky because players are awarded a multiplier for each consecutive correct answer you give. This can mean that one player - given the right film -- could run away with the game -- in this single round. This feels kind lousy for those players that have earned the points in other rounds, but sometimes that's just how the game goes. Still the final round really makes things exciting and keeps players in the lead on their toes until the very end. After that a winner is declared and the game is over.