Get fit and have fun without thinking too much. This follow-up to last year’s Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 focuses more on Michaels and the balance board while ramping up the exercise challenge.
Players can get a great sense of accomplishment by utilizing customization options, which include training routines and "resolutions" for up to six months as well as quick single exercises. This single player game has a wide range of activities featuring a motion captured Jillian Michaels. The character creator feature is gone, but players can choose among several outfits for Jillian.
Jillian’s increased presence throughout the modes enhances the entertainment value. She appears in the menus; she models exercises, holding the Wii remote and using the balance board in various l
ocales; she encourages and corrects as needed. Expect phrases ranging from “awesome” to “don’t waste my time”.
The developers have added some appealing locales on a Pacific jungle island setting including sand dunes, pier, jungle, desert, rock and beach landing. Gone are the rhythm-based mini-games and instead the focus is on control, timing, and placement, which provides some challenge. Also, wisely, gone is nunchuk use so the cord between the nunchuk and Wii remote no longer can cause issues.
The balance board incorporation includes essential initial weigh-ins each time the game is turned on. The exercises include simulations like lifting water pails and sledgehammer throws and basic sit-ups and push-ups. The push-ups have a great format with hands placed on either side of the board. Hands flat on the side, which Jillian’s avatar also models, gives players a better stance though small sized players might have some extra challenge due to the added width of the stance.
Familiar exercises from the previous installment like the handcar pump remain, but those only show Jillian with the remote in her hand doing the exercises instead of players using a handcar. The game encourages authentic movements for full effect. Exercise accuracy is measured with a green for good color motion bar, and a corresponding high pitched sound. Yellow indicates the need for improvement while red is off target with a low pitch sound.
Article comments
1 - Ricky T
Jillian's amazing. Getting the game just so I can see her more. :-)
2 - Jodi
wish I could choose what days I want to rest. Sat Mon do not work for my schedule.
3 - Val
You can choose the days you want... and the exercises you want...
I've only been 'playing' this game for 2 days, but I'm disappointed. It doesn't have a whole lot of options. And I don't know about u guys, but a lot of the exercises involving the wii balance bored just seem awkward. i would give this game 2/5 stars. I'm actually going to see if I can return it, wii fit is more fun and has more options.
4 - dedee
Just got the game and I hate it. There are a lot better workout games on the market. Stay away !!!
5 - Jenny
I just bought this game, thought id bump up the reviews incase anyone is looking to waste their money on the game. ITS AWFUL!! Ive just completed one session and ive barely broken a sweat, im unfit and i didnt find it challenging. There are no instructions. You just watch what shes doing and try to get it right. There is also no option to start the exercise over once youve got it right. Jillian carries on regardless of how your doing. There is barely any exercises. Im sticking to EA active. The exercises on that might be monotomous but at least i break a sweat whilst doing it!
6 - Cherie Hildreth
I didn't like this workout because she doesn't go over exercises. The only thing she says is "come on" or "good job". There is no "keep your abs tight or tell you how to focus on an exercise". Plus she is a cartoon, really. It's like she is a robot.
7 - Julie
I got this "game" last Christmas and did a resolution while watchimg what I eat and I lost like 20 pounds in 1.5-2 months. And people noticed. I told them I was playing this game and it was great.
As for not being able to restart the exercise, yes you can. You click A, I think. I haven't played in a while. A
And about the robot looking character...it is a video game...if you wanted the live character then get a DVD to watch.
I was pleased with the exercises and thought they were fairly challenging and I am an athlete. Yes, some where a bit awkward but once you get the hang of it, it is worth it..I think.
I am about to start it up again to get in shape for the new year.