Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise

1UP (A)

If you hated the original, Trouble in Paradise isn't going to change your opinion. If, however, you somehow missed out completely on the piñata party the first time around, I implore you to check it out now -- it's certainly much deeper and more addictive than its playful visuals would lead you to believe.

Xboxygen ( )

Malgré ses airs de grosse mise à jour par rapport au premier opus, Viva Pinata : Trouble in Paradise reste un des meilleurs jeux disponibles à ce jour sur Xbox 360, pour peu qu’on adhère un minimum au principe. Très joli, profond, mignon, original, charmant, le jeu sait clairement tirer son épingle du jeu sur le catalogue de jeux Xbox 360. C’est un réel plaisir que de voir évoluer l’écosystème qu’on a créé, d’autant plus qu’on peut maintenant partager l’expérience entre amis. Bien plus complexe qu’il n’en a l’air, Viva Pinata : Trouble in Paradise est vraiment riche en possibilités et comblera les joueurs qui en veulent toujours plus.

Wonderwallweb.com (9.4 out of 10)

Viva Piñata Trouble In Paradise is exactly what Rare is all about and shows that Microsoft were on the ball when putting so much money into them, they are making games that no-one else is even close to. Be it single player or co-op, this is a worthy addition to your collection.

XboxAddict (92 out of 100)

As I said, this review could go on and on with all the new features and wonderful aspects of this game, but that would just get overwhelming. My best suggestion to everyone would be to go out and get the game and dive into it yourself. You'll soon find yourself addicted and hooked like the rest of us. The game is for all ages and can be as deep as you want it to be. It all depends on the time and effort you invest into the game. Without a doubt this is one of the top games for the Xbox 360 console and should definitely be included in every 360 owner's library.

Cheat Code Central (4.6 out of 5)

Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is definitely a worthy successor to the original. While it doesn't radically change the formula, there are enough new features to keep longtime fans interested and coming back for more. This follow-up really proves that even though a game is perceived as belonging squarely to the casual genre, it can still mature and come into its own as a series that nearly everyone can appreciate. So, if you are a fan of the original Viva Piñata or are interested in casual sim-style games, you owe it to yourself to check this one out! Of course, if you're like me, then you may find yourself addicted quite quickly, so make sure to clear your schedule!

Gaming Age (A-)

Still, Viva Pinata is a blast to play, and incredibly addictive once you get the hang of the menu's and keeping track of all your available Pinata. The small additions are all well done, and definitely useful, and the game still reeks of charm that'll appeal to older and younger gamers alike. It might not have as many improvements as other sequels can boast, but it's still a solid game that I think everyone can enjoy.

Planet Xbox 360 (9.1 out of 10)

In short, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is a title that resembles its predecessor with many refinements. Players can toggle through seeds, piñatas, and plants with the right and left bumper; they also can use the left, right and up on the d-pad to toggle through your tools and down to learn about your alerts. All of the cast from the original are back with many of the same abilities and traits; plus there’s not much of a difference in story from the original.

Play.tm (91 out of 100)

At 40 USD (stateside) it also offers tremendous value - I'm well past the dollar per hour of entertainment stage already and I've a long, long way to go. I can see myself coming back to this game months from now just to marvel at my creations and to add an extra sprinkle of color here and there. Now I've got to wrap this up and go finish off the new home for Sid Viciousclaw and Nancy Spincern. I think they will like the shade of a few monkeynut trees.

XBoxUser.de (9 out of 10)

Wer den ersten Teil gespielt und geliebt hat, der wird in Viva Pinata: Chaos im Paradies sein persönliches Paradies mit neuen Herausforderungen finden, wird jedoch auf den ersten Blick etwas enttäuscht, weil bisher erworbenen Pinatas, Schokomünzen und Gärten nicht importiert werden können. Was soll's - hat man eben zwei Spiele. Neulinge dürften sich schnell zurecht finden, denn der Einstieg erscheint sogar noch etwas leichter als im ersten Teil. Gamerscorejäger sollten diesmal etwas mehr Zeit zum Erreichen der Erfolge einplanen, denn diese sind nicht alle so leicht zu bekommen, wie noch im ersten Teil. Dennoch ist der Umfang recht gross, jedoch ist der Reiz eher das nahzu unendliche Spielprinzip, auch immer wieder seinen Garten für neue Tiere anzupassen und zu verändern.

TeamXbox (9 out of 10)

TiP is a unique, genre-bending title that may not be for everyone, but it pulls off what it intends to do masterfully. Its combination of creativity-encouraging gameplay, irresistible characters, and the addiction of crafting the absolute coolest garden—all complemented by candy-colored visuals—serve up hours of piñata-fueled fun. If last year’s inferior, but still fun, minigame collection Viva Pinata: Party Animals can be considered an appetizer, then Trouble in Paradise is the true second-helping sequel we’ve been craving since the original introduced us to the underrepresented genre of piñata gardening simulations.

videogamer.com (9 out of 10)

Rare's original Viva Piñata proved that cute visuals and loveable creatures needn't be packaged up in throwaway party games. Although this sequel could be labelled as Viva Piñata +, in that it more or less builds on the original rather than doing anything drastically different, it's still an absolutely must-own Xbox 360 game. Once you've built a garden with a few piñatas living happily you'll be hooked, with short sessions to check out how things are going quickly turning into mammoth all-day affairs where you simply can't stop until you've managed to entice that smug new piñata into your garden after it's spent a whole day wandering around the edge grinning like the village idiot. Buy Trouble in Paradise, name your piñatas after celebrities, friends and family members, dress them up like fashion disasters and realise you're playing one of the best games of the year.

Gamervision (9 out of 10)

Some people might be surprised by the high score given to this game. However, when you look at the whole package, you have a second game in a series that brings improved gameplay, better graphics, and many additional features—all for a lovely $39.99 retail price point. If you’ve never been a fan of life simulators, than this probably won’t do anything to turn you, but even if, like me, you played the hell out of the first Viva Piñata, there’s more than enough here for you to do. If you’ve been thinking about jumping into this series, there is no better time to do so, and no better game to do it with than Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise.

GameSpy ( )

Even without some of its improvements, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise would be a solid sequel, but the more user-friendly gameplay, online features, and variety make it better in nearly every way. It may not win over the haters (you know who you are!), but it's definitely worth a look if you're in the market for an entertaining strategy game that just happens to star a bunch of brightly-colored adorable critters. Here's hoping that this won't be the last time we get a taste of thier sweet, sweet candy.

Tech with Kids (Computing with Kids) ( )

An ecoystem simulation in which animals are represented as pinatas. Great family fun!

Middle East Gamers (MEgamers) (8.9 out of 10)

This is not a game for kids. It certainly looks like one from the cover and the first hour of gameplay, but it will grow more complicated as you move on. And that actually might be the biggest problem here. A game based on a cartoon show that still manages to appeal to adult gamers? It’s really hard to market that. With the cheaper price tag however, this one is really worth picking up. Trust us, at the end of the day nothing feels stranger than noticing that you have just spent the past 3 hours hunting and mating Pinatas while having fun.

GameFocus (8.8 out of 10)

If you loved the first one, this sequel will sure keep you busy and entertained for a long time. Still on the fence? Rent it but give it a serious look this time around, it’s a far better game.

Xbox World Australia (XWA) (88 out of 100)

If you didn't enjoy the first Viva Piñata, then Trouble in Paradise isn't going to turn you around on the matter. However, if you were an avid fan of the original, there's every reason you'll still be in love with this series. Trouble in Paradise takes what was in the original a further step with much tweaking and optimisation on Rare's behalf. It doesn't feel like the true sequel just yet, but what Viva Piñata was intended to be. Keep your eye on this series, as Rare have all the tools to make this even bigger next time around.

Console Monster (88 out of 100)

Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is – quite embarrassingly – one of the best titles I have played this year. Rare have added enough new features to allow owners of the previous title to enjoy the game. This is one title that shouldn’t be overlooked because of its childish appeal.

GamingXP (86 out of 100)

Dieses Game verspricht nicht nur Freude pur, es hält sie auch. Der zweite Teil ist zwar im Grunde keine große Verbesserung, doch machen einzelne, neue Features so richtig Laune aufs Spielen. Mit einer tollen Grafik und gutem Sound werden Sie wieder einige Zeit fröhlich mit Pinata suchen verbringen. Durch die weiteren zusätzlichen Gebiete, in denen Sie noch andere Tiere mit Fallen fangen können, suggeriert das Spiel noch den nötigen ‚Jäger und Sammler‘-Trieb. Alles in allem eine gelungen Fortsetzung auf der Xbox 360.

IGN Australia (8.6 out of 10)

Those are hardly gripes that spoil what is essentially a great gaming experience, however. You see, what Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise offers more than anything else is a 'complete package' experience for already established fans of the series. Likely, if you were hesitant before or the concept just never pulled you in, the idea of completing global 'party' challenges or taming Sour Piñatas still won't hook you. Less a sequel and more the definitive version, you can't really go past Trouble in Paradise if you've got the Viva Piñata bug.

GameZone (8.6 out of 10)

Like the first game, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is utterly charming, downright cute and one seriously enjoyable game that players of all ages can enjoy. As far as sequels go, this one doesn’t reinvent but the new content is worth the purchase price and even more so if you missed it the first time around.

Gamer 2.0 (8.6 out of 10)

Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise doesn’t change much from the first title in terms of originality, but the new additions definitely make it feel more refined. The easier search mechanics and terrain management offer hours of easy playability while the inclusion of multiplayer and the ability to share your garden and adventures with friends is a welcome touch. Trouble in Paradise still brings the same addictive nature that the first game was well known for, but it feels more of like an expansion pack than a full-fledged sequel.

Gamers.at (85 out of 100)

In Viva Pinata 2 wird alt bewährtes aus dem ersten Teil mit einigen gut durchdachten neuen Features und jeder Menge neuer Inhalte verbunden. Rare dürfte sich hier wirklich die Kritik am ersten Teil zu Herzen genommen haben und hat zum Beispiel mit dem Koop-Multiplayer-Modus viel mehr Spielspaß hinein gebracht und auch eine Möglichkeit für Erwachsene, Kindern im Spiel zu helfen. Die neuen Herausforderungen, Gebiete, Items und Pinatas lassen auch nach längerem Spielen absolut keine Langeweile aufkommen, sondern wecken das Bedürfnis nach mehr, das man dann auch noch prompt mit den Karten von Rare oder denen von Freunden über XBox Live stillen kann. Und wer lieber nur in Ruhe einfach seinen Garten verschönern will, ohne sich Sorgen über die nächste Bedrohung oder das nicht vorhandene Geld machen zu müssen, der kann einfach im Just-for-Fun-Play seiner Phantasie freien Lauf lassen. Ein absolut gelungenes Sequel der Serie und mehr als nur ein Abklatsch des ersten Teils.

Extreme Gamer (8.5 out of 10)

If the original Viva Piñata wasn’t your cup of tea, the formula hasn't been changed enough to make you want to attend this party. That being said, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is fun, quirky, and addictive and the type of game any gamer can get into. The only real negative quality is the amount of micro-management you have to deal with when your gardens start to grow, however with the new improvements you can call in a friend to help you out in times of need. Rare’s unique charm still has legs and when other developers go towards the dark and gritty, Rare can still pump out a hit while being colourful and happy. Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise isn't the whole party, but it certain can get things started.

Xbox Gazette (8.5 out of 10)

Viva Piñata Pagaille au Paradis est un jeu original, rempli de surprises, donnant la possibilité aux joueurs de devenir jardiniers et éleveurs de créatures mignonnes et colorées. Ceux qui n'avaient pas été convaincus par le premier épisode ne le seront pas d'avantage cette fois-ci, le principe général restant le même. Par contre, tous les autres, petits et grands, devraient être conquis par les nombreuses nouveautés de ce deuxième épisode, avec une trentaine de nouvelles espèces, de nouvelles régions, de nouvelles activités, une prise en main et un jeu en coopération mieux pensés, une réalisation à la hauteur et une durée de vie très importante. Quelques aspects du jeu sont toujours sources de frustration, tels que la limite du jardin, certain menus où l'on se perd ou encore les destructions du Professeur Pester, mais ne parviennent pas à ternir le plaisir et la détente que procure ce jeu familial et très réussi.

IGN (8.5 out of 10)

Viva Piñata Trouble in Paradise is a satisfying experience and should appeal to gardeners of all ages. And although Rare is not presenting anything remarkably new, it has added nearly everything many gamers found missing from the previous game, thus creating the definitive Viva Piñata experience. If you’ve never played the original, this is definitely the version to buy. If you already own the first Viva Piñata game, then whether or not to buy the sequel depends on what you found missing from the original. If you’ve been dying to play online with friends or on the couch with your kid, then the multiplayer modes in Trouble in Paradise will be reason enough for a purchase. Otherwise, it’s really just more of the same, much of which could have been handled through an expansion rather than an entirely new game.

4Players.de (85 out of 100)

Rare hält sowohl inhaltlich als auch technisch penibel am Vorgänger fest. Das ist per se nicht schlecht, da Viva Piñata vor gut zwei Jahren auf einer Microsoft-Konsole für ein bis dato nicht gekanntes Spielgefühl gesorgt hat – und uns in der Redaktion bis heute immer wieder beschäftigt. Doch das wäre 20 Monate nach dem Original nicht mehr genug, um uns interessiert hinter unseren Monitoren aufhorchen zu lassen. Und schon lange kein Kaufgrund für „Chaos im Paradies“. Doch mit all den sinnvollen Ergänzungen und Verfeinerungen, angefangen von den über 30 neuen Knuddelviechern, der überarbeiteten Steuerung bis hin zum kooperativen Online-Modus für vier Spieler hinterlässt der neue Abstecher nach Piñata Island einen runden Eindruck und ist auch für Pappmaché-Veteranen interessant. Fast möchte man sagen, dass CiP genau das Spiel ist, das der Vorgänger hätte werden sollen.

GameSpot (8.5 out of 10)

Trouble in Paradise is a safe sequel to a great game. Though it doesn't mess with the formula set forth in the first Viva Pinata, it does add enough control tweaks and new items to make it engrossing for both Viva veterans and those who have never learned the joys of forcing a family of whirlms to interbreed. All of those tasty new pinatas for a budget price really is paradise.

TalkXbox (84 out of 100)

If you have not played Viva Piñata, then it's most unlikely this release will do anything to change your mind to the contrary. If you expressed an interest but did not make the plunge the first time around, I would highly recommend this as your first foray due to all the excellent additional features included.

Da Gameboyz (8.4 out of 10)

Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is a must buy for fans of the original and newbies alike as the game will please those piñata collecting needs. Although the audio is very similar to the original game the visuals are solid and the addictive core gameplay is back with some new features that are very welcomed additions. That being said, I do question whether there is enough new content here to keep playing the game for a long and sustained period of time but this really comes down to personal preference.

360 LIVE (8.3 out of 10)

(...) Und die Grafik? Hier ist zwar relativ viel Abwechslung geboten, alles herrlich animiert, aber technisch hält "Trouble in Paradise" eher das Niveau des Originals als dass es sich steigert. Die sinnvollen Verbesserungen der Spielmechanik und das deutliche Plus beim Umfang rechtfertigen letztlich doch eine höhere Wertung.

Game Informer Magazine (8.25 out of 10)

Keeping your piñatas happy can still be monotonous in task, but the expanded content and finely made multiplayer relieves some of the repetition that plagued the first game. Viva Piñata retains its child-like charm, but the content is layered with deep strategies and entertaining gameplay that can suck anyone’s life away.

XboxAchievements (82 out of 100)

A great gardening/breeding game that improves upon the original in many ways, but maybe not enough to justify you paying full price. For the people who have yet to experience the Piñata phenomenon you should pick this up – what’s kept you?

GameTrailers (8.1 out of 10)

In addition to the refined multiplayer and single-player experience, players can now scan special cards using the Xbox Live Vision camera in order to unlock new content. The lack of downloadable content or a custom piñata creator is disappointing, but the card content will suffice for now. With the numerous improvements and its bargain price, Trouble in Paradise is one party you shouldn’t miss.

PlayDevil ( )

So "Viva Piñata Trouble In Paradise" is an improvement over the first game however very similar. The newly added features are welcomed but could've probably been easily implemented via DLC. It makes you wonder, even with the lower price, if its worthy of a new retail game. Fact of the matter is that the game is still very fun to play and offers a lot of gameplay for both the new and intermediate gamers. "Viva Piñata Trouble In Paradise" is a recommended buy to anyone, of any age.

Kombo.com (8 out of 10)

Viva Piñata 2 doesn't bring anything revolutionary to the table as a sequel, but it does fix most of the first game's problems and add some features that many felt should have been in the first game to begin with. The new content feels a little light as far as new piñatas to collect, but the refinements to the interface and the new gameplay modes are all much appreciated upgrades. If you hated the first game there's nothing here to win you over, but if you loved the first game then Rare's definitely got you covered.

Gamer.nl (8 out of 10)

Viva Piñata: Paniek in het Paradijs is een prima vervolg op het origineel. Enkele vervelende eigenschappen zijn aangepakt waardoor het een stuk gestroomlijnder spel is geworden, al is de interface nog steeds verre van ideaal. De grote hoeveelheid nieuwe inhoud maken echter een hoop goed. De prijs maakt dat echter ongedaan.

DarkZero (8 out of 10)

Nevertheless, this is still a game that deserves to be picked up at some point. It is clever, smart, and once you get into it, damn addictive. I will admit it is probably not the most fun you’ll have all year, and if you like your blood and gore by the bucketload then the rest of the year will in all likelihood give you better thrills. But why not try something new just this once? You just might like it!

Meristation (8 out of 10)

Desgraciadamente, no es un título apto para todo tipo de usuarios. Los que no tengan el original, se encontrarán aquí un modo inmejorable de adentrarse en este colorido universo. Los que disfrutaron de la primera entrega, volverán a disfrutar creando nuevos jardines, mucho más variados y profundos. Pero si ya no te gustó el original, posiblemente esta entrega tampoco llegue a encandilarte.

GamePro (US) ( )

There are also some minor additions that attempt to sweeten the pot but they don't add too much. The new trick stick, which allows you to teach pinata tricks, and a wide range of toys are fun to play with, though. There's also support for the Xbox Live Vision camera which allows you to scan in special pinata cards, but it's a gimmick at best. Still, despite some irritating design elements, Trouble in Paradise is a fun game that retains the charm of the first Viva Pinata. It's sort of like trying to hit an actual pi?ata while wearing a blindfold-you'll be frustrated at points but it's still pretty awesome.

Jeuxvideo.com (16 out of 20)

Il est décidément bien difficile de résister à l'appel de ces adorables créatures. Tantôt espiègles, souvent émouvantes, les Piñatas ont de quoi faire fondre les coeurs les plus endurcis. En outre, Pagaille au Paradis nous émerveille une fois de plus par la richesse de son univers et la profondeur de son gameplay. Néanmoins, la difficulté du mode Standard découragera le jeune public tandis que le design naïf du soft risque à nouveau d'effrayer la plupart des joueurs plus âgés. Espérons pourtant que Viva Piñata rencontre cette fois-ci le succès qu'il mérite.

3D Juegos (8 out of 10)

Trouble in Paradise es una secuela francamente interesante del ya de por si notable Viva Piñata, aunque esperábamos más novedades. El mayor punto relevante que se incorpora en esta ocasión es el del multijugador, un añadido fantástico que nos permitirá ayudar a otros en sus jardines y viceversa. Un aditivo que podrá parecer poco apetecible para el cuidador de piñatas ocasional, pero que resultará imprescindible para los más aficionados.

GameDaily (8 out of 10)

Rare could've easily slapped a couple of minor changes into this game and given us an expansion pack. Instead, Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise offers enough to make it a worthy sequel. It'll be a little too cute for some, but others will see past the adorable exterior and find the delicious treats inside, just like a real pinata.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (8 out of 10)

But it's easy to forgive these things when the whole is deep, compelling, personal and capable of so much incidental humour and charm: your first set of twins, the first time your sparrow catches fire, the first time you realise you've mated parent and child. Rare has said it will take a break from Piñata Island for now after six years of almost constant development. We only hope it's not a permanent vacation, because there are very few series that do such a good job of infusing compelling gameplay with infectious personality. And we're really f***ing sick of underground lizard aliens.

ZTGameDomain (8 out of 10)

Underwhelming when viewed in the context of its predecessor, Trouble In Paradise gets so many things right it cannot be dismissed. Fans of the original Viva Piñata will not want to pass Trouble in Paradise up, and the lower price point eases the sting of the add-on feel of the game. A successful gaming experience for young and old alike, it manages broad appeal without pandering and delivers some of the most fun you can have with a shovel and watering can.

Official Xbox Magazine (UK) (8 out of 10)

A clever cross between life sim and silly little collecting game with a lot of fun online party action thrown in, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise will appeal to a hell of a lot of people, thanks to its superbly created and welcoming open world.

GamesRadar (8 out of 10)

It’s slightly disappointing that TIP often feels more like an expansion than a new game, but deep down we’re relieved that the core gameplay we loved so much from the original has been left intact. If you didn’t like the original Viva Pinata, you won’t like Trouble in Paradise, and if you only mildly enjoyed the original, the new content won’t be enough to interest you. But for more serious pinata fans, as well as newcomers to Pinata Island, Trouble in Paradise is nearly flawless.

V2.fi (80 out of 100)

Arvosanan antaminen on kinkkinen juttu. Periaatteessa Viva Piñata: Trouble In Paradise on oikein hauska ja koukuttava peli yhden illan ajan, eivätkä monet pelit paljoa kauemmin kestäkään. Piñatassa riittää mielenkiintoista nähtävää pitkäksi aikaa, mutta itse tekeminen on pitkäpiimäistä rutiinien toistoa. Arvosanasta voi vähentää reilut 10 pistettä, jos tarkoitus on ostaa kunnon strategiapeli, eikä tuijottaa hassuja elukoita hd-töllöttimestä.

UOL Jogos ( )

Sem grandes inovações, "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" oferece exatamente a mesma mecânica viciante e a experiência profunda do original, mas traz adições e novidades suficientes para agradar mesmo quem já passou horas no jogo de 2006. Novas modalidades, com detaque para o cooperativo para quatro jogadores via Xbox Live, deixam o jogo ainda mais divertido.

Games Finder (8 out of 10)

All the original 60 varied pinatas are there but in addition you’ve for a further 28 to attract, feed and mate. The majority of these new pinatas are also quite exotic, ensuring they are harder to attract and thus providing returning players a nice challenge. These new additions are also weighted to the new biomes of Pinarctic and Dessert Desert. For fans of the original this is a must buy but it’s also equally attractive to newcomers.

Giant Bomb ( )

Trouble in Paradise offers everything the first game did--literally--with a heap of new content and enough streamlined gameplay mechanics to get even an experienced gardener's green thumb back into action. And if you never tried the original game, first of all, shame on you. Second, go play this one. The reasonable $40 price tag only sweetens the deal on this vastly improved version of one of the Xbox 360's most unique and endearing games.

Eurogamer.de (8 out of 10)

Der CoOp-Modus kann nur Online überzeugen, das Fangen der Pinatas bringt nichts Essentielles auf die Waage. Mehr Pinatas und Items sind toll, aber wir reden hier schließlich von einem Vollpreis-“Update“. Es bleibt eine phantastische Spielerfahrung – besonders und dank des Freien Spiels für die Kleineren –, aber irgendwie kann und will ich meine Enttäuschung nicht verbergen: Viva Pinata gehörte zu den innovativsten und überraschendsten Spielen dieser Generation. Chaos im Paradies dagegen ruht sich auf seinen Lorbeeren aus.

Games TM (8 out of 10)

Rare has done a superb job. And although the formula is very similar to the first title, the sheer number of extra elements makes it fun to collect all those piñatas again. Viva Piñata can no longer be considered a kids' game. Bad news for children, good for us.

Worth Playing (8 out of 10)

Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is cute and fun. It isn't going to interest everyone, and the low difficulty and cutesy nature of the game will probably limit it to the same audience as the first Viva Piñata. However, if you're looking for a game to play with a less-experienced sibling or spouse, you could do a lot worse than Viva Piñata. It's playful, charming (assuming you ignore the grim potential inherent in the idea of sentient piñatas), easy and simple enough that even young players can pick it up with ease. The new features are just enough to keep Viva Piñata faithful satisfied with this follow-up, although some returning fans may find it a bit empty for a sequel. All in all, you could do worse than Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise if you're looking for a game for your Xbox 360 that doesn't involve explosions and space marines … assuming you ignore the delicious candy-filled tragedy that occurs off-screen at piñata parties.

Video Game Talk ( )

It's hard to improve upon a solid game when making the sequel, but Rare has done that and more with Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise. The new elements and gameplay make for a solid release. Even though I had put many hours into the original title, I cannot pull myself away from Trouble in Paradise. The game has a way of hooking you in and not letting you go. It feeds into any type of obsessive tendencies you may have because you feel compelled to do just one more task before you quit. When you finally are able to quit, you realize that much more time has past then you thought. If you enjoyed the first Viva Piñata, you cannot pass this up. If you are new to the game, you cannot go wrong with it. The price is at a lower point, $39.99 at release and compared to the normal $59.99 price, you cannot beat the value in this title. Add in the fact that it is a great title to let your younger children play with our without you, and you have a game you must have in your collection.

Video Games Daily (8 out of 10)

Sugar and spice and all things nice, that's what Piñata are made of. It may not stray far from its roots, but thanks to a cornucopia of on and offline treats Rare's one-of-a-kind garden sim gets our recommendation once again.

Jeux Vidéo Magazine (15 out of 20)

Les ajouts de cette "suite" auraient pu faire l'objet d'une mise à jour sur Xbox Live, ce dont se seraient contentés les possesseurs du premier jeu. Pour les autres, il est d'autant plus recommandable.

Game Informer Magazine (7.5 out of 10)

Viva Piñata has a great art style and a ton of depth, especially compared to similarly targeted games like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon. Microsoft added a bunch of new features for this second edition, many of which have a minimal (but positive) impact on the experience. The online co-op is a godsend, as it helps speed up the tedious pace and gives you someone to conspire with during the boring sections (of which there are still more than a few). While the game is better paced and more engaging than its predecessor, it’s still hard for me to embrace Viva Piñata the way I did the purposelessness of Animal Crossing or the more complex god game theatrics of Black & White. For some, Viva Piñata might be the perfect mix between aimlessly messing around and high-level strategizing. Personally, my attention starts to wander after a bit. Maybe enticing stuffed animals into having nookie has its limits.

Tweakers.net (7.5 out of 10)

De grote vraag of alle aanpassingen en toevoegingen genoeg zijn om dit tweede deel tot een waardig vervolg op de originele Viva Piñata uit te roepen beantwoord ik met een 'Nee'. Naast het feit dat de game van begin tot eind aanvoelt als een upgrade in plaats van een sterk vervolg, is er gewoonweg niet genoeg vernieuwing om deze game te kopen als je het origineel al hebt. Geïnteresseerden die zich niet eerder in de Piñata-scene waagden kunnen gerust tot aanschaf overgaan, maar moeten wel worden gewaarschuwd voor de nog altijd schrikbarend lange laad- en save-tijden, die anno 2008 toch écht niet meer kunnen. Al met al een vermakelijke en sterk verbeterde versie van een reeds eerder uitgebrachte topper.

Good Game (7.5 out of 10)

You can get pretty complex with the game, but I still don’t think it’s one many adults would actively play. The introductory videos for piñatas are still very annoying but that’s only for the first garden you make, other than that a great game for kids. 7.5/10

Destructoid (7.3 out of 10)

If you haven't played a Viva Piñata game before, I would strongly urge you to pick this one up. For those of you who have, you won't experience anything drastically different but it's still a fantastic game and might just have enough new challenges to encourage you to pick that shovel up a second time.

JeuxActu (14 out of 20)

Sachant que tous les goûts et les couleurs se trouvent dans la nature, il est normal que le concept ne plaise pas à tout le monde. Pris individuellement, Viva Piñata : Pagaille au Paradis s’avère être un bon jeu. Toujours aussi reposant et visuellement contrasté par rapport aux autres jeux du genre, il peut constituer un investissement correct pour les novices de la série. Pour les grands fans du premier opus, l’effort peut être salué. Reste à savoir si les améliorations proposées suffisent à un nouvel achat, d’autant plus qu’il s’agit ici de tout recommencer. Ce Viva Piñata : Pagaille au Paradis peut en effet être considéré comme une version améliorée mais sans les avantages d’un add-on, comme celui de reprendre un jardin créé dans la première mouture. Dommage.

Thunderbolt Games (7 out of 10)

Like many sequels, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise excels at adding additional content to an already workable premise, but fails at properly expanding on the core experience beyond the original. While a smattering of new features were added along with a heaping helping of new piñatas to sight, tame and mate, I feel like I'm playing the exact same game I invested 80+ hours into two years ago.

Hooked Gamers (7 out of 10)

Trouble in Paradise is a very basic sequel, making smart albeit predictable improvements to the Viva Piñata formula. If you own the original, there is not quite enough new content here to warrant another investment of your time and money. However, if you are new to the world of Viva Piñata, Trouble in Paradise is simply a better game than its predecessor. While it isn’t quite a full-fledged sequel, Trouble in Paradise is the definitive Viva Piñata experience.

Gamekult (7 out of 10)

A la fois simple et profond, bucolique et cynique, le titre parvient sans peine à jouer sur plusieurs registres. Sa patte graphique unique et son environnement sonore travaillé en font un titre reposant et agréable, sans que cela ne nuise au challenge. L'ajout d'un véritable mode multijoueur offline et d'un nouveau mode de coopération en ligne permet de partager cette expérience à plusieurs. On regrette les quelques soucis d'ergonomie que les développeurs n'ont pas su corriger, et surtout cette impression de déjà-joué qui freinera sûrement ceux qui connaissent bien le premier opus - et stoppera net ceux qui ne l'avaient pas apprécié. Quant aux autres, si l'univers bigarré des Piñatas leur convient, ils peuvent se laisser séduire.

NZGamer (7 out of 10)

At the end of the day, I’d have to confess that I did get bored, despite the amount of tightening that they’ve done to make game play a whole lot better. In fact, there are a great many improvements made (a seed bag so I don’t have to deal with that old bag Costalot so much? Yes please). I can’t help but feeling that, while a good deal of effort has gone into enhancing the essential Viva Piñata experience, the limitation of things I can put in my garden when there is so much on offer really does kill my buzz.

Good Game (7 out of 10)

I’d direct my kid to play this. Some of the words are a bit big for the very little ones, but to me it’s teaching management. Analysing needs, fostering the right environment for those below you to succeed. Building a sustainable system from the ground up. When I have a kid I want little Jungy to run a publicly listed company by the time he’s 10. I’m giving it 7/10.

Gamestyle (7 out of 10)

While the original hooked us for many weeks we found ourselves becoming bored of Trouble In Paradise rather quickly. If this is your first foray into the VP world then you’ll love it, but for those of us who were waiting for a true sequel, we’d best be more patient.

JeuxVideoPC.com (14 out of 20)

Viva Piñata déçoit d’une part et plaît de l’autre. D’abord, parce que ce jeu apparaît comme une extension en incluant de nouveaux Piñatas et des zones enneigées et arides, mais non habitables. A part ça, où se trouvent les nouveautés ? Le gameplay reste identique et la gestion est légèrement plus facile, mais donne toujours du fil à retorde. L’univers espagnol et festif reste correct graphiquement, ce qui permet de s’attacher aux Piñatas, et ça, c’est le plus important.

Official XBox Magazine (6.5 out of 10)

Even if there were room to experiment, a few dozen animals aren’t sufficient to lure back veteran gardeners for long, and newcomers are bound to wonder why life on the island is so needlessly difficult. In the end, Trouble in Paradise proves to be aptly named.

Gameplayer (Australia) (5.5 out of 10)

It’s not that we relish lambasting a vividly creative series that looks beyond tired formulas. In fact we’ve always liked Viva Piñata’s idea in principle. Really. Unfortunately the final experience feels exclusively created for folk stuck in a confined area with a lot of spare time on their hands and few other recreational options. Like, say, in prison.