What's more amazing about the latest interactive fitness game for the Wii, 'EA Active', than its predecessors goes far beyond its ease of play, its engaging '30 Day Challenge' mode, and even its ability to achieve results over time. 'EA Active' is such a phenomenon because it legitimizes what was formally a somewhat flimsy, if not strictly novel, concept in computer gaming. Games like 'Wii Fit' introduced and capitalized on the outrageous concept of a video game which produces the opposite effect of normal video games that turn players into zombified coach potatoes. But that doesn't necessarily mean that these games were good, only a good idea. 'EA Active' gets it right, and in doing so solidifies the road to an entirely new brand of action game; the kind that involves actual action!

Although the aesthetic tone and theme of 'EA Active' will be instantly recognizable as more of an interactive fitness video than a traditional video game its clear that in its first outing EA is playing things extremely safe. The backgrounds are all lush green mosaics of parks and clean playing fields where people enjoy leisurely strolls and yoga. You can select a male or female instructor, both with surgically fixed smiles that offer nonstop motivational speeches, from the same script no less, just like a real fitness instructor would. Of course you'll hate them immediately, but that's all part of the real gym experience. At least you can give these gurus the middle finger to their face rather than sheepishly waiting for them to turn their back at your pathetic attempt at squats.

The atmosphere of 'EA Active' keeps it in touch with its family based audience, and assures a target demographic (people who buy fitness videos) but there is something deeper at work within 'EA Active' that makes it even more extraordinary. Its game mechanic takes more from traditional video games than games like 'Wii Fit' which rely solely on mini challenges that are fun to try out for a while, but quickly lose their flare.

Like any other action game, you're strapped with an in-game character that you can create and modify, given only a few options to customize, and this in-game character has a set of goals. Rather than saving some intergalactic social hub from certain destruction, or terrorizing the denizens of a major city, your character's goals are to burn calories, complete fitness routines, and to achieve awards for various sports minigames like target punches, tennis, in-line skating, etc. All of these things are a blast to do. Most routines last from twenty to thirty minutes, with a few endurance workouts for when you get serious. You can also string together exercises to create your own routine and workout with a friend. All of this, plus the '30-Day Challenge' mode gives you plenty incentive to keep coming back for more even after your limbs have all turned the Jell-o.

That's not to say that 'EA Active' is perfect. The resistance band that comes with the game feels like a flat balloon, and doesn't offer a lot of resistance which makes for some rather dull upper body toning exercises. Of course, you can get these pretty much anywhere on the cheap, but its worth mentioning that if you really want to workout you'll have to spend another five to ten bucks. Also, graphically and audibly the game is par at best. The generic music tracks and bucket of phrases wares thin after only about a week, as does the static blue and green background. This is all part of EA's testing the market waters without getting in over its head. I expect future additions to the series to be much broader in scope. On-line content would add a whole new layer to the cake (or should I say vegetarian lasagna), and I'd like to get out of the upper class resort to do some Clubber Lane style exercises, if you know what I mean.

But what persists is the major breakthrough that 'EA Active' accomplishes. While most video games can only produce the simulated sensation of having achieved something when, in fact, you've actually only gained twelve pounds and spent the last twelve days in an armchair (based on my experience with 'GTAIV'), 'EA Active' actually produces real-world results. By monitoring your calorie-burn and inputting daily diet information as well as "other activities" (biking, hiking, etc.) you can witness your progress over time on in-game graphs and charts. Not to mention that you'll be feeling this game long after you've played it.

It is a brilliant irony that 'EA Active', when used correctly, actually manages to smash through the fourth wall of gaming to provide a greater challenge to gamers than any "hardcore" game could ever do. I've battled sea demons the size of volcanoes, and laid waste to scores of military commandoes time and time again. It's become routine for me to fire bomb jungles over Laos and overthrow space creatures with fascist regimes, but these two patronizing ninnies in sweatpants are the first to send me to bed with limps in both legs. And if they can do that now, then what is possible in the future? I shudder to think, and I absolutely cannot wait.

Story by Eric Jones

Starpulse contributing writer