A few weeks back, we were given a couple of codes for PlayStation 4's PlayLink titles Chimparty and Knowledge is Power: Decades. The latter is something we already have a bit of experience with, thanks to the original Knowledge is Power game that has been a staple of our house parties since its release. It was only a matter of time before a sequel made its way onto the scene. Chimparty however was something entirely new, but that looked like a lot of fun if the teasers and trailers launched before release were anything to go by.
In Chimparty, up to four players can do battle across 18 easily-accessible mini-games, and 90 levels of pure chaos.
What's instantly attractive to gamers who have been around for some time however is the board game mode, which reminds us of the brilliant Mario Party series. There's never a dull moment, as you're constantly scrabbling to overtake your fellow players and ensure victory.
Most of the games you'll compete in are easy enough to understand. Some get a little fiddly when using your mobile device as a controller, but overall there's a nice variety and consistency across the board.
Chimparty even offers solo players some fun with their survival mode. You'll compete in mini-games until you lose all of your lives, which can be fun, but at its heart this is a title to be shared with friends and family.
Definitely one to whip out if you want to impress your guests this Christmas.
Going from the 80s all the way up to the modern day, Knowledge is Power: Decades allows players old and young to come together and fight it out for the opportunity to be crowned champion.
There are no hugely significant changes here when it comes to gameplay; the old saying 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' is certainly something developers had in mind when they were creating this follow-up.
Each player votes on which topic they'd like a question to be asked from, and to distract your opponents there are Power Plays which allow you to delay their answers and scupper their chances of claiming the top scores. The final round sees everyone with the chance to win as they climb a pyramid, answering rapid-fire questions to ascend to the top.
What's really special about this game however, is the theme. It's one that should bring the family together, which is exactly what you want to do over the holiday season. Just make sure it doesn't cause TOO many arguments...
Chimparty and Knowledge is Power: Decades are both available now exclusively for PS4 PlayLink gamers. The Chimparty and Knowledge is Power: Decades companion apps are required on your iOS or Android devices in order to play these games. Not all devices are compatible, and players should check playstation.com/playlinkforps4 for more details.