
The amount of color simply on the box is astounding, and it really shows in the game too.
This game is as lighthearted as you want it to be, but if you want to be serious about your gardening and truly maximize profits, then you can do as you please.
There is A LOT of variety in this game. Initially, like all games, you start with very little, but once you catch on and start leveling up and doing new things (thus unlocking new items and pinatas), you will have a blast trying to get new stuff.
This game looks like a kiddie game (similar to Rare's other recent work, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts), but it really isn't. Like N&B, you can give a little kid the controller and they might find their way around (or you can simply plug in a second controller and give them a helping hand cooperatively). What I find most impressive is the amount of detail given to everything, things that young kids will easily miss: the descriptions of EVERY single item in the game, the clever species names, the witty dialogue, the interesting story that is unlocked as you go along, the trial and errors, etc. I've been playing for a great deal now, and I was astounded to realize one of my pinatas had a special variant simply because I decided to feed him an apple for the hell of it. Things like that may easily be overlooked by young ones, but they won't miss out on the bright colors, and cute pinatas for sure.
This game will have you working around the clock (well, not literally, in the game world at least) to tend to your garden and everything inside. If you want to keep making money and leveling up, you will not have much of a break as the action is nonstop. Thus, you will always have a difficult time putting down the controller and saving your game for next time.
Lastly, don't ignore this game because you are not a gardener/breeder/landscaper in real life. I am none of those, and find this game immensely enjoyable. Like all games, it is not for everybody, but it is worth trying. As a cheap Platinum Hit (one you can play with your family nevertheless), there is nothing to go wrong.
Also, I have not played the sequel yet (Trouble in Paradise), but I am led to believe it is very similar with some extras and maybe a bit more plot. I, personally, think it best to start at the roots with Viva Pinata, then if you enjoy it, you continue with the sequel, and if you don't, then maybe VP: Party Animals is more for you ( :P this is more of a kiddie game with simple gameplay, it got decent reviews, not like VP and VP: TiP).Get more detail about
Viva Piñata (Platinum Family Hits).