EXTRA GAME REVIEW: STAR STABLE (Online multiplayer)
This isn't on the list of recommended games as though it is free to play, in order to experience the game properly you need to be a paying member. However there is a lifetime membership available, so you only have to pay once. The free version is good enough to recommend it though, and it is an especially good virtual world for people to meet online.
This game is virtually identical to another excellent game I have previously reviewed, 'Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp'. In almost every aspect it is exactly the same, but 'Star Stable' is much better, with more to do - especially for paying members - as well as being multiplayer, offering even more things to do with other players. If you enjoyed going to the Riding Camp island, then you'll absolutely love the Star Stable island, which is called Jorvik.
Watch the trailer...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aJCoWeDmlE
The nature of the island is a bit mysterious, but teenage girls are called there to fulfil a purpose, working together with their horses against the forces of darkness. I can't say very much as there is a fascinating story which unfolds, with mysteries to uncover. The island is like the strange island from the TV show 'LOST', full of mysteries and a variety of characters. For example there are unexplained locked underground hatches, with faint sound coming from inside. Looking closer at them reveals a little puzzle to be solved, which nobody else I've met there seems to be aware of, and which points to a currently inaccessible location...
As I said, the game is virtually identical to 'Riding Camp'. You ride your horse around, periodically needing to feed, water, brush and clean the hooves, at care points scattered around the island (usually at stables). Except you will have to pay for the feed yourself. You can earn extra money by doing tasks for people and working in the stables. You can explore the island (though the entire island is not currently available), and take part in races and events like show jumping. There are things to be collected scattered around the island (stars), however these won't earn you money but instead respect, as they are very difficult to find. The time progresses through day and night, but night riding is not forbidden (though you could still do it in Riding Camp). The scenery and sounds are excellent, except the sunset is not so beautiful. Also there is some great music throughout the game. And there are many shops available, offering a massive variety of clothing to buy, or gear for your horse - except the gear and clothing also provides skill bonuses, improving speed or jumping ability for example.
Most especially for the paying members there is so much to do within the game. Apart from the storyline tasks, the inhabitants of the island will need things doing daily, which is different every day, and there is a massive variety of different races and events to take part in, ranging from cross country races to chasing rabbits and all sorts. Some can be multi-player, racing against friends, and others can be done alone, trying to get onto the daily scoreboards, or be recorded as among the fastest ever. Doing races and events also trains your horse, which improves its performance. Your own skill level will also increase, but there is a limit to both these skill levels, which is soon reached. There are also seasonal events to take part in, like at Christmas, and the game is continually expanding, offering something new every week. The players very often don't take part in these events and other things going on around the island though, but instead mostly just ride around in groups, or relax in a place talking and enjoying the scenery and the world.
And even beyond all this there are even more exciting regular events. During the daylight hours there are special championship races every couple of hours, with more at weekends. These are epic cross country races, which everyone can join at once, though the competitors are divided into skill groups. These are an enormous amount of fun, and will very often contain additional hazards such as falling trees and enemies trying to ruin the race! Just riding around normally can be hazardous too, as there are cars driving around, driven by people who don't care about horses. And for socialising, or just relaxing, every weekend there is a disco which goes on until late in the night, where players can dance.
I had described 'Riding Camp' as being, "a wonderful dreamlike experience, like a fondly remembered holiday that I never want to end." This game is the same as that, except even better, with much more to do, and other people there as well to share it with. Sometimes it's just so relaxing, sometimes it's exciting, sometimes it's thrilling, sometimes it's creepy, sometimes it's fascinating, and so on... There is so much to find, strange things, secret places... It's a fantastic world to visit, either alone or with friends. Even if you only want to play the free part of the game, it's still AWESOME. But if you pay to play and get it all, then it's absolutely fantastic and well worth paying for.
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