Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
In the latest batch of Wii games, the one that sounded the least interesting turned out to be the most entertaining.
It shows yet again how game makers need to work on the game title to reflect the sales potential.
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
(Capcom. PC, Wii)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure sounds like just another ho-hum game, but surprisingly it turned out to be one of those quirky gaming experiences that 'wows'.
It may be a puzzle adventure game for kids but those well-designed cell-shaded crazy puzzles are smart fun for everyone - especially due to the mechanics of using the Wii remote. It really pays off for Nintendo having platform adventure games like this one that makes such good use of the Wii controllers.
The story revolves around boy pirate Zack, assisted by a flying yellow monkey called Wiki. Zack is seeking a legendary pirate ship and, of course, the fabled Treasure Island, to become the best pirate ever.
But it's the puzzles and animation that make this game stand out, along with the expected quirkiness and laugh-a-minute death scenes.
Swinging the remote, you click to interact with objects, which lets Zack and Wiki move or use the objects to complete a puzzle. Sometimes you need to work out a certain motion to use the tools - more innovative than usual. You have to turn, push, pull, and twist it and on the odd occasion shake the little monkey until he wallops your opponent.
The pirate-wannabe and sidekick monkey explore a huge environment - which includes haunted castles and volcanoes - with vibrant visuals that makes good use of the console's graphics ability.
This is an inspired title that has broad appeal for Wii fans. Pity about the name, which doesn't reflect its uniqueness and may affect its deserved success.
To get a taste of what Zack & Wiki's all about, check out a
, this crazy
.
There's an even madder Japanese commercial
and the game's E3 trailer
.
MadGamer rating: 9.5/10
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2
(EA. M, Wii)
After the brilliant
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
, I've been hanging out for a FPS that showcases Wii's remote and zapper.
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 moves across from the PSP so we can check out how responsive the remote can be in a shoot-em up.
I've enjoyed the MOH series from day one, and this game was a return to the good old PS2 days - although that makes the eight-mission game feel a little dated. You are a special forces operative dropped behind enemy lines, surrounded by Nazi forces. Your job is to stop a nasty bloke called Hitler firing the V2 rocket.
All of the WW2 game basics are included - dropping charges, picking stuff up, finding guns and using massive cannons to aerate the enemy. You can add the usual Medal of Honor location list as well - church, beach, bunkers and small towns.
Being a Wii game, the secret to the success is in the controls - you use the nunchuk to move, the Wii remote to aim and a shake of the remote to reload. The newish Wii zapper configuration doesn't seem to work as well as the remote/nunchuk combo.
With the latter, such aiming works reasonably precisely, much better than the earlier Medal of Honour Vanguard on Wii but not as impressively as with the mighty Metroid.
It's solid enough with visuals at least on a good PS2 level - in fact it looks impressive on my big HDTV - and the bonus arcade mode is all good fun. It runs smoothly and reasonably quickly at over 30 frames per second.
Overall, it's not a very taxing FPS, but meets the entertainment needs and stays true to the franchise with the novelty of using the Wii controller.
Check out a
.
MadGamer rating: 6/10
Ninja Reflex
(EA. PG, Wii)
Karate Kid comes to the Wii in the form of mini-games in which aspiring grasshoppers are new students to the world of the Ninja.
In six challenges using the Wii remote you can rise to be a black belt without getting sore muscles or aching limbs.
This nine-level path to Ninjahood is not about turning you into some instant Jet Li, but about training in such disciplines as shuriken throwing, nunchuka baseball, and catching flies with chopsticks.
Such simple games are novel enough and may help improve reaction time and hand/eye co-ordination, but it's a pity the concept was not developed further to make it a truly rewarding and deeper experience. Meditation mode, speaking your chosen Ninja name (mine is Burning Rain) and the pretty scenery are a surprise however.
Watch a trailer
MadGamer rating: 7/10
Donkey Kong Jet Race
(Nintendo. G, Wii)
Donkey Kong Jet Race will disappoint fans as being slow, dull and the Wii remote a poor replacement for 'bongo drum' controls.
Little ones may get their money's worth.
Check out the
.
MadGamer rating: 4/10
PLUS: Waterproof Allbirds - and some "professional" sneakers for the office.