Posted on Dec 30, 2010 under Wii |
The Good:
Charming visuals
Superb level design that always offers something new
Tons of hidden extras to discover
Innovative controls
Satisfying puzzles.
The Bad:
Frustrating final level.
Basing a 2D platforming puzzle game on a substance as familiar as water might not seem like the most inspired of ideas, but the more time you spend with Hydroventure–known as Fluidity in the US–the more you realise how great it is. Like the water you control, the puzzles you solve have a flow, effortlessly merging into each other to create an experience that always challenges you yet never makes you feel stupid. These are brilliantly designed, each of them guided by the real-world physics of water, making them immensely satisfying to solve. While the difficultly does take a sudden, and frustrating, spike upward toward the end, it’s not enough to detract from this intelligently designed and beautiful-looking game. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Nov 30, 2010 under Wii |
The Good:
Fantastic level design
Hidden collectibles give a substantial reason to replay levels
Vehicle sequences are loads of fun
Strong artistic design
Catchy soundtrack.
The Bad:
Occasionally clumsy controls
There’s a time and place for innovation, but you certainly can’t expect a tie-wearing gorilla to lead the charge into unexplored territory. As the name suggests, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a trip down memory lane, and this tightly crafted collection of classic platforming tropes shows that clever level design can be just as engaging as brand-spanking-new ideas. Even without cutting-edge features to distinguish it from other 2D platformers, Donkey Kong’s latest adventure is exciting because it constantly messes with your expectations. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Nov 07, 2010 under Wii |
The Good:
Great mix of stealth and action sequences
Lots of variety, including boss fights and vehicle sections
Harder difficulties add new objectives
Striving for par times makes you play the game in a new way
Multiplayer is fun both online and offline.
The Bad:
Quick-time events and unskippable cutscenes are obtrusive
No WiiSpeak support.
Thirteen years ago, a groundbreaking first-person shooter called GoldenEye 007 was released for the Nintendo 64. It’s impossible to ignore the impact this game had on the future of the industry, but don’t assume that the Wii game bearing the same name is a mere remake of the seminal original. The new GoldenEye 007 is a modern game that refuses to cater to an old-school audience, giving it the freedom to develop a personality all its own. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Sep 03, 2010 under Wii |
The Good:
Taking down a huge monster is insanely satisfying
Monsters move and act in believable ways
Great visuals and animations really pull you in
Fun online co-op play
Underwater battles are a great twist.
The Bad:
Forced use of the Wii Remote for cataloging monsters
Online synchronization issues
Long animations can frustrate. Read the rest of this entry »