Review by: Josh Ende
Title: No More Heroes
System: Nintendo Wii
Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Publisher: Ubisoft / Marvelous Interactive
Age Range: 17+
Buy?: YES! Regardless of the mature and violent tones of this game, its style and artistic value should be experienced by everyone who appreciates the creativity of video games. Perhaps it’s not a safe purchase for younger audiences, but think of it as one of those R-rated movies that you want your child to watch when they’re older.
Summary: You play as Travis Touchdown, a young guy obsessed with Japanese pop culture, and you’ve just been ranked the 11th best assassin in the world. Your goal now is to compete against, and defeat, the remaining top 10 to become #1.
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
This game is made for mature gamers and it shows in the difficulty as well. While it’s not exactly on par with the latest Ninja Gaiden games, NMH will ask you to bring nothing less than your A-game to some of the higher ranked assassins. Luckily, the style and gameplay itself will keep you from getting too frustrated and turning the system off.
Learning Curve: The learning curve is only as long as the brief training/tutorial at the beginning of the game. The button actions are far from complicated and the motion controls are too intuitive to ever forget.
Total hours of play: 10-12 hours
The linear design of NMH will keep the pace of the game fairly consistent. The only section where completion time will really vary is in between the actual missions when players have to round-up the money to pay the “set-up fee.”
Family Factor:
Although the somewhat cartoony style of No More Heroes is very appealing to audiences of all ages, No More Heroes is not a game for the entire family to gather around and enjoy. The violence and gore is on the same level as Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies and the crass humor generally revolves around sexual themes. The game also does all of this in a very non-realistic world which may confuse younger gamers.
Review:
Anyone familiar with game creator Suda 51, or Killer 7 (his last game), knows exactly what to expect out of No More Heroes: over-the-top violence carried out with a trademarked style that doesn’t compare to any other game out there (except maybe Killer 7). You play as Travis Touchdown, the 11th best assassin in the world, who wields a beam katana (lightsaber) that he won in an internet auction (eBay). There’s very little else that we know about Travis before we begin his journey to the top so he has much more of an every-man feel, but the quest he embarks on is far from an every-day affair.
No More Heroes is actually the name of a motel that Travis is living at within the city of Santa Destroy: a fictional locale with a southern-California feel to it. We never quite know the meaning of the motel’s name, nor why Santa Destroy is called as such, but we can assume that they’re just cool monikers that Suda 51 and company came up with to set-up the style of the game: very cool with little justification, and even a little satirical. The style is going to standout over the gameplay in almost every aspect of the game, and that’s not a bad thing because there’s still plenty of gameplay, but No More Heroes is a title that should forefront the argument for videogames as a form of art. By style I’m referring to the game’s visual aesthetics as well as its attitude. The graphics have a very modern, comic book-esque appearance that uses a lot of basic colors giving it an almost impressionistic look. The attitude of the game, however, is what really compliments the look. Travis could be thought of as a modern-day Japanese Fonzy with an affinity for pro wrestling and his pet cat Jeane. His style is kind of like a hipster rock star and new clothes can be bought for him to change his color-scheme, but buy too many new clothes and you’ll have to work more to pay the fee for the next battle.
After the initial, tutorial battle and introductory level, which bumps Travis up to 10th best assassin in the world, players are dropped into the body of the game. The core gameplay pattern goes as so: drive around Santa Destroy on an over-sized motorcycle doing odd jobs to raise money for the next ranking battle, pay said fee, then compete against the next ranking opponent, rinse, lather, repeat. Following the same pattern over and over again may sound like it gets boring, and it might for a few gamers, but each win as Travis climbs the top ten list will unlock new odd jobs (such as coconut collecting and lawn mowing) and new assassination missions that require players to meet objectives such as only using wrestling moves to defeat the bad guys or defeating all enemies without getting hit. The variety of these missions and odd jobs isn’t too broad so players will be repeating missions and jobs they’ve already done to earn enough money for the next battle, but the satisfying combat and controls keep these smaller missions from getting too stale.
The combat itself is very intuitive and easy to learn even if you skipped-out on the tutorial at the beginning of the game (which is an option). It won’t require players to stand up nor constantly aim the Wii remote at the screen, but it does use the Wii’s motion-sensing capabilities to finish off enemies with a swipe of the controller as well as other contextual controls that are prompted during the game. The violence is very over-the-top and very bloody, but it’s not necessarily as graphic as you might expect. Because of the art style, the gruesome deaths in NMH feel fairly watered-down. Bad guys will get limbs chopped off, get decapitated, and even get sliced in half by Travis’ beam katana, but the impressionistic style of the characters make them look a little more like paper dolls than like real people; and the blood that sprays from these fatal wounds seems more like fruit punch than human blood.
The dialogue is going to throw up another red flag. No More Heroes has more than its share of f-bombs and other seemingly inappropriate language which is used rather liberally. It’s obvious from the beginning that NMH is a product of Japan because the English translations and voice-acting will make you cringe and laugh, both in ridicule and from humor. The humor though is an interesting aspect in itself. You’ll often roll your eyes at Travis’ sexual desperation and at his corny one-liners, but that also makes it easier to see NMH as satirical.
Going along with the idea of NMH as a satire it’ll be easier to accept the over-the-topness, exaggerated action, and ridiculous dialog, but satire or not, No More Heroes is a great game. The violence, language, and some adult themes keep me from recommending it for everyone, but if movies like Kill Bill, or even the Blade series, are acceptable then Suda 51’s No More Heroes is a must-have title.
Related games: Killer 7 (GameCube, PS2), Grand Theft Auto series (multiple platforms)
Showing posts with label Wii. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wii. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Rayman: Raving Rabbids review (Wii)
Reviewer: Carrie Scherach
Title: Rayman: Raving Rabbids
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Price: $29.99
Rating: E for Everyone
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Age Range: 7 and up. Raving Rabbids has no violence and gives a humorous story line to follow. Upbeat music, energetic mini-games, and adorably odd rabbits make this game fun for all ages.
Buy It?: Yes. This is a definite buy that is great for family and friends. With up to 4 players, this a great game to get everyone involved. It takes great advantage of the motion and activity sensors incorporated in the Wii remote, for the best Rayman gaming experience yet.
Difficulty: Medium difficulty level. The mini games get harder as you progress through the game, but not impossible.
Learning Curve: Easy to pick up after a few mini games.
Total Hours of Play: About 9 hours
Family Factor:
Rayman fights the enemy rabbids in uncanny, but humorous mini games using bizarre objects, such as plunger guns and space ships. The game consists of races, shooting rabbids, dancing bunnies, and skill games. With no violence and silly antics, this is a definite must for almost any age.
Review:
Rayman begins the game picnicking, when he is approached by a swarm of raving rabbids, and ultimately thrust into an olympic arena with 4 challenges and a first person shooter board per level. After going through various levels, Rayman collects new items and outfits to adorn the cell that he has been imprisoned in if you complete every challenge. Don’t worry—if you can’t finish one of the challenges you can come back at a later time to finish the challenge. After each level he is awarded a plunger, which builds a ladder to his freedom.
The rabbids will win your heart with their hysterical gibberish screams and humorous attacks on Rayman. They blend to scenery with costumes and props as the setting changes with each level, from the wild west to a scary graveyard, and much more.
Raving Rabbids has been designed specifically for the Wii’s hands-on, action capabilities. The game design takes advantage of the Wii controls, with fun games, that get you moving and using the remote and your body to the full extent. A fun game to play with friends and family, Raving Rabbids features various mini-games. The games can be played through to challenge one player in story mode or up to four plays can duel it out as a party game. The games are amusing, and the ongoing humor pulls you into the story. You’ll find yourself and friends laughing as you swing your Wiimote around in circles over your head to see who can toss a cow further, or using the Wiimote and nunchuck as drum sticks while you collect dancing rabbids in a ‘Rock Band’ style challenge to name a few.
Some pitfalls like most games in this genre is the repeatitive music. The developer has spiced things up with offering some classic songs like ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ by having it sung by the Rabbids themselves which is cute for only so long. The up side is that you’ll find yourself singing along. Another negative which may discourage some players is the similarity of the mini-games. It can feel that once you’re half way through the game, you’re just playing the same mini-games over again.
Overall, the game combines the motion-sensor advantage of the Wii remote, with off the wall fun in the mini-games. The games vary from sports and races to shooting and dancing games. With over 70 eccentric games to play, Rayman Raving Rabbids is a definite buy.
Related Games: Mario Party 8, Wario Smooth Moves
Title: Rayman: Raving Rabbids
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Price: $29.99
Rating: E for Everyone
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Age Range: 7 and up. Raving Rabbids has no violence and gives a humorous story line to follow. Upbeat music, energetic mini-games, and adorably odd rabbits make this game fun for all ages.
Buy It?: Yes. This is a definite buy that is great for family and friends. With up to 4 players, this a great game to get everyone involved. It takes great advantage of the motion and activity sensors incorporated in the Wii remote, for the best Rayman gaming experience yet.
Difficulty: Medium difficulty level. The mini games get harder as you progress through the game, but not impossible.
Learning Curve: Easy to pick up after a few mini games.
Total Hours of Play: About 9 hours
Family Factor:
Rayman fights the enemy rabbids in uncanny, but humorous mini games using bizarre objects, such as plunger guns and space ships. The game consists of races, shooting rabbids, dancing bunnies, and skill games. With no violence and silly antics, this is a definite must for almost any age.
Review:
Rayman begins the game picnicking, when he is approached by a swarm of raving rabbids, and ultimately thrust into an olympic arena with 4 challenges and a first person shooter board per level. After going through various levels, Rayman collects new items and outfits to adorn the cell that he has been imprisoned in if you complete every challenge. Don’t worry—if you can’t finish one of the challenges you can come back at a later time to finish the challenge. After each level he is awarded a plunger, which builds a ladder to his freedom.
The rabbids will win your heart with their hysterical gibberish screams and humorous attacks on Rayman. They blend to scenery with costumes and props as the setting changes with each level, from the wild west to a scary graveyard, and much more.
Raving Rabbids has been designed specifically for the Wii’s hands-on, action capabilities. The game design takes advantage of the Wii controls, with fun games, that get you moving and using the remote and your body to the full extent. A fun game to play with friends and family, Raving Rabbids features various mini-games. The games can be played through to challenge one player in story mode or up to four plays can duel it out as a party game. The games are amusing, and the ongoing humor pulls you into the story. You’ll find yourself and friends laughing as you swing your Wiimote around in circles over your head to see who can toss a cow further, or using the Wiimote and nunchuck as drum sticks while you collect dancing rabbids in a ‘Rock Band’ style challenge to name a few.
Some pitfalls like most games in this genre is the repeatitive music. The developer has spiced things up with offering some classic songs like ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ by having it sung by the Rabbids themselves which is cute for only so long. The up side is that you’ll find yourself singing along. Another negative which may discourage some players is the similarity of the mini-games. It can feel that once you’re half way through the game, you’re just playing the same mini-games over again.
Overall, the game combines the motion-sensor advantage of the Wii remote, with off the wall fun in the mini-games. The games vary from sports and races to shooting and dancing games. With over 70 eccentric games to play, Rayman Raving Rabbids is a definite buy.
Related Games: Mario Party 8, Wario Smooth Moves
Super Smash Bros. Brawl review (Wii)
Review by: Craig Reck
Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
System: Nintendo Wii
Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: T for Teen (13+)
Developer: Sora
Publisher: Nintendo
Age Range: 9+. A teen rating is too strict. Children who watch cartoons will see the same types of “crude humor” and “cartoon violence” in a typical cartoon show that they will in this game.
Buy?: Of course! As a corner stone of the Wii, this game has something for everyone. Young children will enjoy the enticing visuals, scene-setting music and easily-learned controls, while anyone (including parents) can become lost in the fierce competition.
Summary: Brawl picks up where its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee, left off. The concept has remained the same, but the characters, levels, add-ons and excitement have all increased. Plus, a “level-creator” feature allows players to use their creativity to build their own level.
Difficulty: This game is as difficult as you want to make it. Choose from the five difficulties ranging from “very easy” to “intense.” Up the difficulty setting as your confidence grows in your “smashing” ability.
Learning Curve: Although it only takes an hour to learn the controls and how the game is played, mastering your skills will take much longer.
Total hours of play: Brawl is so full of trophies, stickers and other extra collectibles that you will be playing this game for quite a while until you completely beat it.
Family Factor: The biggest problem that you might have with Brawl is the fact that it is a fighting game. Far from the likes of typical fighting games that are branded violent and graphic, Brawl is tame and within reason. It reinvents the idea of a fighting game because there is no blood, bruises or name-calling. However, if you are offended with a character breaking wind in order to cause damage to his opponents, you might want to try another title.
Review:
Super Smash Bros. Brawl picks up where its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee, left off. The concept of a 4-player battle royale has remained the same, but the characters, levels, add-ons and excitement have all increased. Plus, a “level-creator” feature allows players’ creativity to flourish and design their own battlegrounds.
Learning the basic controls for Brawl is easy. Press the “A” button for a standard attack and the “B” button for a special attack. Add some movement of the joystick while pressing an attack button and an entirely different, and usually more powerful, attack is performed.
There is much debate over which controller is most conducive for gameplay, as the GameCube controller and the Wii Remote are both compatible with Brawl. Super Smash Bros connoisseurs who have followed the series since its Nintendo 64 days will argue that using the Gambecube controller is the only way to play. However, using the Wiimote and Nunchuk give the player freedom to move his/her hands freely while being caught up in fierce battles. As a past supporter of the Gamecube controller, I must admit that I have been converted into a Wiimote user. Gamecube is in the past, so it’s time to give up the system and its controllers. Use a Wiimote and play Brawl the way it was meant to be.
Aside from the mountain of extra unlockable goodies, Brawl has two new features that prove it’s worth one of the top spots in your video game library. The Subspace Emissary, a new story mode for the Brawl competitors, allows a single player to fully enjoy a game that is known its multi-player matches. The second feature comes from the field of new items that can be used on al Brawl terrain. The Final Smash Ball is the ultimate item. All Brawling ceases when this item appears and competitors begin to battle for it instead. Every character has Final Smash unique to their personality and style. If you are unlucky enough to miss the chance to obtain the Ball, be sure to run and hide immediately.
Super Smash Bros. continues to improve graphically and aurally with Brawl. The levels are full of depth and the characters are more detailed than ever. If you need music to put you in the Brawling mood, there is no need to worry. There is more music, most of it unlockable as you progress through the game, than you have time to actually listen to it.
The biggest problem with this installment of the Super Smash Bros. series is the longevity of a brawl. All competitors have better recovery skills and can return to the board much easier. This leads to longer matches and frustration if there are not enough controllers for everyone in the room.
Related games: Soul Calibur IV (PS3, Xbox 360), Mario Party 8 (Wii), Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
System: Nintendo Wii
Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: T for Teen (13+)
Developer: Sora
Publisher: Nintendo
Age Range: 9+. A teen rating is too strict. Children who watch cartoons will see the same types of “crude humor” and “cartoon violence” in a typical cartoon show that they will in this game.
Buy?: Of course! As a corner stone of the Wii, this game has something for everyone. Young children will enjoy the enticing visuals, scene-setting music and easily-learned controls, while anyone (including parents) can become lost in the fierce competition.
Summary: Brawl picks up where its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee, left off. The concept has remained the same, but the characters, levels, add-ons and excitement have all increased. Plus, a “level-creator” feature allows players to use their creativity to build their own level.
Difficulty: This game is as difficult as you want to make it. Choose from the five difficulties ranging from “very easy” to “intense.” Up the difficulty setting as your confidence grows in your “smashing” ability.
Learning Curve: Although it only takes an hour to learn the controls and how the game is played, mastering your skills will take much longer.
Total hours of play: Brawl is so full of trophies, stickers and other extra collectibles that you will be playing this game for quite a while until you completely beat it.
Family Factor: The biggest problem that you might have with Brawl is the fact that it is a fighting game. Far from the likes of typical fighting games that are branded violent and graphic, Brawl is tame and within reason. It reinvents the idea of a fighting game because there is no blood, bruises or name-calling. However, if you are offended with a character breaking wind in order to cause damage to his opponents, you might want to try another title.
Review:
Super Smash Bros. Brawl picks up where its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee, left off. The concept of a 4-player battle royale has remained the same, but the characters, levels, add-ons and excitement have all increased. Plus, a “level-creator” feature allows players’ creativity to flourish and design their own battlegrounds.
Learning the basic controls for Brawl is easy. Press the “A” button for a standard attack and the “B” button for a special attack. Add some movement of the joystick while pressing an attack button and an entirely different, and usually more powerful, attack is performed.
There is much debate over which controller is most conducive for gameplay, as the GameCube controller and the Wii Remote are both compatible with Brawl. Super Smash Bros connoisseurs who have followed the series since its Nintendo 64 days will argue that using the Gambecube controller is the only way to play. However, using the Wiimote and Nunchuk give the player freedom to move his/her hands freely while being caught up in fierce battles. As a past supporter of the Gamecube controller, I must admit that I have been converted into a Wiimote user. Gamecube is in the past, so it’s time to give up the system and its controllers. Use a Wiimote and play Brawl the way it was meant to be.
Aside from the mountain of extra unlockable goodies, Brawl has two new features that prove it’s worth one of the top spots in your video game library. The Subspace Emissary, a new story mode for the Brawl competitors, allows a single player to fully enjoy a game that is known its multi-player matches. The second feature comes from the field of new items that can be used on al Brawl terrain. The Final Smash Ball is the ultimate item. All Brawling ceases when this item appears and competitors begin to battle for it instead. Every character has Final Smash unique to their personality and style. If you are unlucky enough to miss the chance to obtain the Ball, be sure to run and hide immediately.
Super Smash Bros. continues to improve graphically and aurally with Brawl. The levels are full of depth and the characters are more detailed than ever. If you need music to put you in the Brawling mood, there is no need to worry. There is more music, most of it unlockable as you progress through the game, than you have time to actually listen to it.
The biggest problem with this installment of the Super Smash Bros. series is the longevity of a brawl. All competitors have better recovery skills and can return to the board much easier. This leads to longer matches and frustration if there are not enough controllers for everyone in the room.
Related games: Soul Calibur IV (PS3, Xbox 360), Mario Party 8 (Wii), Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Super Smash Brothers Brawl Delayed (Again)
Early this morning, gaming site Kotaku broke the news that Super Smash Brothers Brawl, possibly the most anticipated title for the Wii since the system's debut, was delayed from it's February 10th US release to March 9. Some gamers say they knew it was inevitable; some are just crying their eyes out.
Sources close to the company said the game needs more polish, according to Kotaku.
The poor Brawl team (above) is shocked by the news.
Will they ever see the light of day?
Sources close to the company said the game needs more polish, according to Kotaku.
The poor Brawl team (above) is shocked by the news.Will they ever see the light of day?
Monday, January 7, 2008
Free Wii Remote Accessory!
A Wii accessory that's not set at a price-gouging $20? Amazing! Cynicism aside, Nintendo recently launched an offer of providing free Wii Remote jackets that provide a nice cushy casing for your expensive investments in controllers. The jackets are included in all new Wii systems being shipped, so this offer applies to Wii owners who bought their Wiis before the jackets debuted. They're suprisingly not cubersome and easy to slip on and off your Wiimote.
Follow this link to the Wii Remote Jacket order site to order your set of jackets. Be ready with your Wii's serial code, which can be found on the back of the Wii system and begins with "LU" followed by nine numbers. You can order up to four Wiimote Jackets per Wii and shipping, which ranges from 5 to 10 days, is totally free, and also check the status of your shipment on the Jacket order site.
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