PixlBit

     The original Brain Age was one of my favorite games for the original DS. I remember taking it's sequel Brain Age 2 to my deployment in Iraq and playing it faithfully every night before I went to bed.  I felt extra triumphant every time I broke the current record for each of the mini-games. I wish I could say this for this current installment.

     Just like the other entries Concentration Training is a series of mini-games that are more challenging than you'd think. Whereas the other games were about lowering the age of your brain, this one focuses on improving your concentration (mostly your memory).

     The mini-games are separated into 3 modes: Devilish, Supplemental, and Brain Training. Devilish mode takes up the bulk of the game.

     Devilish mode focuses on mostly memorization. For example: Devilish Calculation plays like Calculation from Brain Age only instead of writing the answer to the problem displayed, you are required to remember the answer to a problem shown prior to the current one shown. How far back you need to remember your answers depends on what level you are on that day.

PROS:

     The game is still amazing at making simple math calculations and word puzzles (not many of these this installment) more addictive than they should be.

     There is actual voice acting this time, not that it's entirely a good thing (more on this later).

     Some of the earlier mini-games from Brain Age 1&2 are included.

CONS:

     Too many of the games are repeats from the other two games or else games like Klondike and Spider Solitaire that you can get on any $19 collection of games for the original DS. They include good one but there are also really lame ones like "Player Piano"

     I don't usually care about voice acting too much but the dubbing used in the game is the most bland acting ever. For example when you have a guy who looks like this:

     He shouldn't sound exactly like this guy:

      And what's worse, he loves to hear himself talk, he will talk and talk and talk. You have the option to fast forward but unfortunatly not the option to skip altogether.

     The Devilish mode is mostly tedious. It mostly consists of memorization as opposed to actual concentration. Plus whereas most Brain Age mini-games take just a few minutes, the games in Devilish mode go 5 minutes no matter how tedious and burned out you get from playing the. Also you go up or down a level depending on how well or bad you play the game. If you are at 4 minutes and 50 seconds, it insists you play another round even if doing so will result in you going down a level. So there is a chance you may never get promoted at all.

     OVERALL

     Although there was a lot of thought put into the Devilish mode, this is the most disappointing title in the Brain Age franchise. The other 2 games I would play everyday and enjoyed them. However I only played this game because it takes forever to open up all of the game modes. Somedays, you don't open anything at all that day. I know you went through this with the other two entries but somehow, it's more annoying with this one. I can't recommend it for full price.