I have to admit i was not looking forward to this one, the screenshots looked good, but i feared poor level design, dull gameplay, or gimmiks would kill the game, like previous Wario games.
Well its safe to say this game is awesome.
I am playing the Japanese release, the game is quite text heavy to begin with, you get a very nice animated cartoon as the intro. Even though i had no idea what the text was (just setting up the story i think) i enjoyed it.
You are then put into a training level. This shows you all the controls through animated signposts. while it is structured in the format of a level, it is just to get you use to the controls. I have to say they have done a great job in this area. So many good Wii games are let down by poor controls, i am glad to say this is not one of them.
You hold the Wiimote NES pad stylee. 2 is used to jump 1 is used to shoulder charge, or if you are holding a stunned enemy, holding down 1 brings up an arrow which you move by tilting the wiimote left and right (let go to throw it). This is used to release stuck blocks high up, hit switches and the like. If you shake the wiimote you do a small earthquake which can drop lose items or activate blocks that move for a brief second or two meaning you can get to a higher area. If you are holding an enemy and shake you can shake the life out of it. So if your low on energy, then find the closest bad guy, rather than shoulder charging it which will kill it outright, jump on it to stun, pick it up and shake its lifepoints which takes the form of garlic. This bit of garlic will bounce round until it is picked up.
The idea is to get to the end of the area to free creatures that are captured. You pick up the device they are stored in and shake it to free them. However this is where it gets interesting, this sets off an alarm you then have a set amount of time to escape the level. The freed creature will help you by displaying an arrow telling you where to go.
Escape and you gain access to the next level. I have not yet failed to make it out in the time but am only onto world 2.
The escape part is a great addition, everything that you have done in the level stays in place. So if you have hit a switch deactivating stairs for example then you will have to find the switch or a way round, this is where the freed animal can help. Things you do along your path to the cage, where the animals are captured will either help or hinder your escape. In one level i remember clearing some blocks and i went to an empty room and thought oh what a waste, this helped me later on as it gave me access to a pipe short cut when trying to escape. If i had gone through that shortcut and it had still been blocked i would have lost time having to back track and find another escape route.
Like most Wairio games this one has lots of random collectables hidden in treasure chests. A lot of which to begin with, are in areas you can't get to. I assume i will gain a power up later so i can go back and get them.
Each level has objectives. Escape with X amount of time left, collect a set amount of coins (these are very tough) as well as a few others which change depending on the level.
I have not yet mentioned the graphical style or the sound, both of which are great. You have the standard bouncy tunes you get with Nintendo platformers.
The graphical style is a very interesting one. It suits the game perfectly and is done very well. Its vibrant and jumps off the screen but still being 2D throughout.
This is very much a shout back to the great 2D playformers of a few generations ago but it still has that next gen (for Wii) feel.
For those Nintendo fans who (like me) were not impressed with the lack of hardcore games at E3 this should keep you very happy.
This game is platforming perfection, it reminds me very much of the 2D Mega Drive Sonic games.
I say what you waiting for go get it now
WARNING THIS GAME CONTAINS FIRMWARE 3.3E
Well its safe to say this game is awesome.
I am playing the Japanese release, the game is quite text heavy to begin with, you get a very nice animated cartoon as the intro. Even though i had no idea what the text was (just setting up the story i think) i enjoyed it.
You are then put into a training level. This shows you all the controls through animated signposts. while it is structured in the format of a level, it is just to get you use to the controls. I have to say they have done a great job in this area. So many good Wii games are let down by poor controls, i am glad to say this is not one of them.
You hold the Wiimote NES pad stylee. 2 is used to jump 1 is used to shoulder charge, or if you are holding a stunned enemy, holding down 1 brings up an arrow which you move by tilting the wiimote left and right (let go to throw it). This is used to release stuck blocks high up, hit switches and the like. If you shake the wiimote you do a small earthquake which can drop lose items or activate blocks that move for a brief second or two meaning you can get to a higher area. If you are holding an enemy and shake you can shake the life out of it. So if your low on energy, then find the closest bad guy, rather than shoulder charging it which will kill it outright, jump on it to stun, pick it up and shake its lifepoints which takes the form of garlic. This bit of garlic will bounce round until it is picked up.
The idea is to get to the end of the area to free creatures that are captured. You pick up the device they are stored in and shake it to free them. However this is where it gets interesting, this sets off an alarm you then have a set amount of time to escape the level. The freed creature will help you by displaying an arrow telling you where to go.
Escape and you gain access to the next level. I have not yet failed to make it out in the time but am only onto world 2.
The escape part is a great addition, everything that you have done in the level stays in place. So if you have hit a switch deactivating stairs for example then you will have to find the switch or a way round, this is where the freed animal can help. Things you do along your path to the cage, where the animals are captured will either help or hinder your escape. In one level i remember clearing some blocks and i went to an empty room and thought oh what a waste, this helped me later on as it gave me access to a pipe short cut when trying to escape. If i had gone through that shortcut and it had still been blocked i would have lost time having to back track and find another escape route.
Like most Wairio games this one has lots of random collectables hidden in treasure chests. A lot of which to begin with, are in areas you can't get to. I assume i will gain a power up later so i can go back and get them.
Each level has objectives. Escape with X amount of time left, collect a set amount of coins (these are very tough) as well as a few others which change depending on the level.
I have not yet mentioned the graphical style or the sound, both of which are great. You have the standard bouncy tunes you get with Nintendo platformers.
The graphical style is a very interesting one. It suits the game perfectly and is done very well. Its vibrant and jumps off the screen but still being 2D throughout.
This is very much a shout back to the great 2D playformers of a few generations ago but it still has that next gen (for Wii) feel.
For those Nintendo fans who (like me) were not impressed with the lack of hardcore games at E3 this should keep you very happy.
This game is platforming perfection, it reminds me very much of the 2D Mega Drive Sonic games.
I say what you waiting for go get it now
WARNING THIS GAME CONTAINS FIRMWARE 3.3E
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