User Reviews (1 - 11 of 31)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

A New Type of Tycoon Game: Spectacular

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: December 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I've played lots of Tycoon-genre computer games, including some super popular (Roller Coaster Tycoon, The Sims, etc.) This however, might be the best game I've played. Besides cool graphics, this game has a plethora of options readily available. This game is easy enough that playing it isn't a boring struggle, yet difficult enough the player feels challenged. Great attention has been paid to the sound, which is absolutely terrific. The game accurately simulates the feel of a casino. Each little "gambler" reacts to each hand of cards. You can see the players place their bets, and celebrate/despair after the round. Bright colors light up the screen. Building options include decorations, lounges, restaurants, gambling rooms, any type of gambling table or machine and decorations for the outside. Through the game interesting situations occur: the "Playbabe" magazine party, VIP high rollers, mob hits, discount slot machines. You can set your casinos odds, or even cheat the gamblers. Dealers and gamblers may cheat your casino, making a casino security force needed. Showgirls and bargirls keep players supplied with drinks. You are even able to host poker tournaments or auction off cars, throw parties or watch your loyal customers get married. You also control the hotel rooms and options there. For those looking for any type of tycoon game to play, or those with a love of Las Vegas, or even those just looking for a little fun will enjoy this game. You don't have to know Las Vegas to enjoy this immersive and fun computer game.

Excelent game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: January 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is one of my favorite sim type games on the market. While you get to play around with a lot of what is in your casino, you aren't expected to manage down to the finest detail. This game gives you just enough to deal with to keep you interested but doesn't overwhelm you. If you are looking for a challenging sim game where you have to keep track of finances and that sort of thing, this isn't it. What this is though is fun! I can't stop playing this game even though I've completed all the challenges twice. I'm just waiting for the expansion pack now!

Extremely fun and VERY addicting...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: April 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is a great little sim that will bring a slice of Vegas into your PC. If you pay attention, you'll get a couple of good laughs at the "cameos" in the game, from the Siegfried & Roy and Bill Cosby lookalikes, to the VIP High Rollers that will stroll through your casino if you make it a cool enough place to be. Every VIP was easily and quickly recognizable aside from one: and that'd be Immaculata. But, aside from that, the impressions are VERY well done, especially when it comes to Macdaddy Moonwalker and Flint Westwood, for instance. I won't mention any others because I don't want to spoil it for you. Half the fun is scanning your casino and looking for patrons walking around with a star beneath their feet (denotes a VIP) and clicking on them to try to figure out who they're supposed to be. If you're not into that "Where's Waldo?" sort of action, you could always just click on your patron button and get a full list of customers.

The hotels make "cameos" as well. For example, the Medieval is a lot like the Excalibur, and the Poseidon is a lot like Caesar's Palace. You'll also see interpretations of the Horseshoe, the Luxor, the Hard Rock, and Circus Circus to name a few. They're extremely well done theme-wise, and they add a bit of recognizable fun without having to pay the big bux for a fully licensed title. Also, since they really aren't trying to be the real thing, you're not likely to judge the game for lack of realism. You get the fun of the theme without the restriction of real life.

This isn't a terribly in-depth sim, so don't expect a lot of micromanagement. I think it's a casual sim for the casual gaming crowd. Empire mode lets you unlock a hotel for sandbox mode, and sandbox mode lets you design and build to your heart's content. If you hold poker or blackjack tournaments, you actually participate in them, so you DO have a bit of that taste of gambling as well. The personalities of the other players are quite amusing.

Overall, I haven't stopped playing since I first started. It's great bit of fun!

SO GOOD, WE BOUGHT TWO!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: April 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

WE ENJOY GOING TO THE CASINOS, IN AND AROUND MICHIGAN,BUT CAN NOT ALWAYS GO WHEN WE LIKE TO.WE HAVE THE HOYLE CASINO GAME AND PLAY IT ALL THE TIME.WE WENT TO THE ON-LINE PRODUCT- UP DATE SITE, AND FOUND THE CASINO EMPIRE GAME.WE DOWNLOADED THE DEMO GAME AND WE WERE HOOKED. WE ORDERED ONE GAME AND PLAYED IT THE DAY IT ARRIVED. MY HUSBAND HAS HIS OWN PC AND KEPT TAKEN MY GAME TO PLAY.WE NOW HAVE ORDERED THE SECOND COPY, AND HAVE NOT STOPPED PLAYING THEM.GREAT GAME.

Worth the low price now, waste some time and have some fun!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: August 12, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Casino Empire must have been a game that someone designed to fill a niche when the Sim City games were a rage. Sadly this game was never a hit but for true Casino goers, it's sort of fun to play around with.

Obviously the Themed Casinos represented on their "Vegas Strip" take after Real World properties such as the Luxor, Excalibur, Circus Circus, Hard Rock and the Stratosphere but clearly they could not license the use of the actual names. If this game would have sold at all and generated further development, I would have liked to see an Atlantic City edition as that's where I like to spend time at since I'm here on the East Coast.

Game play is pretty simple but I did have a tough time winning the final scenario taking several tries before getting it right. A reasonable number of Table Games are represented here to place in your Casinos, I think it would have been a stretch to try to put all the offshoots like "Let it Ride" and "Carribean Stud" in along with the Standard table games so they did a pretty good job there. The Slots and Video Poker games are good enough but I would have switched the "Video Blackjack" games for "Video Slots", I like how when you put in a "bank" of 16 games you get a Feature Topper that can be seen throughout the casino, a nice touch.

The Card Tournaments which you can actually play within the game are OK but I found the Full Versions in Hoyle Casino which I also have to be better so I leave them alone.

One fun thing you have are the VIPs who enter your casino once You have the facilities that draw the High Rollers. I found the Voice Talent pretty good especially with Arnold and Clint, the Real Fun happens when you jack up the Alcohol Content of the Drinks served to 200%, you get some lines that truly cracked me up! You may also get a "Star Trek" convention or an Elvis Convention to visit your Casino and that can be interesting as well.

Though some reviewers here have downplayed this game, I find it entertaining enough, I like the sound and visual atmosphere in Real Casinos about as much as the actual gaming myself so I continue to be amused trying to lay out my Casinos in different ways and different decor when I fool around with this little gem.

Casino Empire was made to fill a Niche which it does nicely, too bad that they missed the mark by overestimating how large the audience would be for this title, I would have liked to see more but it's not going to be developed further.

Great Way To Practice Texas Hold'em!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: February 15, 2005
Author: Amazon User

If you put Poker & High Stakes rooms in your casinos you can host BlackJack, Five Card Draw, and Texas Hold'em tournaments whenever you like. Sometimes the game will ask you to participate in a tournament and if you win then the money gets added to the house and ups your spending dough!

We've finished all the casino goals but find this is a great way to practice our poker skills thus, extending the life of this game.

If you like casino games this one would be a good one to play.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: August 06, 2005
Author: Amazon User

My wife plays the games She loves to play the game since she got the game. She has been playing the game,she really enjoys the game.

Unexpected pleasure

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I bought this as an afterthought for my husband's birthday. He wanted Hoyle Casino and Empire was on sale so I grabbed it too. He is thoroughly addicted, as are my 9 and 10 year old children. As with any game, it takes some getting used to, but once one casino is conquered, the secrets unravel a bit, but not too much. We are about halfway through the Strip as the casinos are getting harder to complete, but the game allows you to improve the casinos even if you can meet the goals. Makes me want to go to Vegas.

Hoyle Casino Empire

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

If you like casino games or casinos, you've got to try this one. Here you build your own casinos and run them. Hoyle Casino Empire provides hours of fun and entertainment. I have had this game for a long time and I never get tired of playing it. The graphics are very good and you will find plenty of options in the game. A must buy.

Best Sim Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is great for those that like an easier SIM game. I - myself do not have time to master the more complicated ones. The first two Casinos are pretty easy to make the goals - the third gets harder. Would recommend to others.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 Next 

Actions