While the Wii is undoubtedly Nintendo’s latest and best console to date, a lot of gamers continue to bash it, claiming its game library does not cater to the hardcore gamers. The majority of the Wii’s catalog is decidedly family-friendly, fun for all ages affairs. Now Sega has decided to step up to the plate for those of us who like a bit of gristle in our breakfast cereal, releasing a game that is exclusively for the Wii AND for mature audiences, and one that takes full advantage of the unique Wii controllers, delivery a Wii-Time-Only experience. Destined to be one of the best Wii games in the hardcore, mash-‘em-up and spit ‘em out genre, Ladies and Gentlemen we give you MadWorld.
One of the most noticeable and captivating aspects of MadWorld is its stunningly unique visual style. All of the graphics are displayed in stark, contrasting, graphic-novel-style black and white with gushes of red for intense gore factor. In addition to the graphics, the frame rate is really smooth for players to pick up and go and the overall game presentation has an over-the-top comical ambience that will greatly appeal to anyone into comics, ridiculous violence and captivating storylines.
Game play
MadWorld came out exclusively for the Wii to make use of their unique control scheme. It is important to point out that the remote sensor isn’t used in the game but this isn’t actually a bad thing because the Wii Remote and Nunchuk attachment along with the motion controls does plenty in controlling Jack, the games main character. The remote is used to control Jack’s weapon while the Nunchuk controls the movement which gives plenty of freedom to move about throughout the levels.
When it comes to finishing moves the controls can at first seem a bit complicated, but this is just part of the adjustment faze of the game and soon enough you’ll be twisting and shaking the controllers as if it were your own hand driving a street sign through someone’s head. While small points off for some odd camera movements, these can really be excused once you immerse yourself in the visually stunning presentation and fully absorbing gameplay.
Experience
What will no doubt have MadWorld embraced by non-Wii gamers is the intense experience that it is, combined with the blackest of humors. For those who demand plenty of action there is a whole lot of blood and gore, innovative weapons and visceral kill moves to keep you satisfied. For those who don’t want their beat-em-up, survival horror-style games to take themselves too seriously there is plenty of comical, over-the-top moments, crazy exaggerated bosses and a laughably sinister commentary. On the surface this may look like quite a disturbing game, and it’s certainly not for everyone. But this is one blood-soaked actioner that has it’s tongue firmly planted it it’s cheek, with more and more ridiculous ways to overcome your enemies.
The boss battles are an area unto themselves, and while no boss is a walk in the park to take down, neither are they so difficult that you’ll be throwing your controllers across the room in frustration, either. In most cases it is a lot of fun to take down these increasingly hideous monster-men, and the reward of doing so takes you deeper into the story with even more comical scenes.
But it’s not all slash and bash, MadWorld comes complete with a set on minigames included as well. While these can sometimes be even more brutal than the main game, the humor is still peppered throughout so as to never take itself too seriously. While MadWorld is certainly not the longest game you’ll ever play on the Nintendo Wii, it holds enough difficulty to keep you coming back again and again in replays. Not one for the kids, MadWorld is however a must-try for any hardcore gamer worth his salt. The exaggerated violence, black as pitch humor elements, fantastically appealing visual design and rip-roaring music soundtrack, along with the laughably overacted commentators makes this an out and out essential game to play for anyone after one of the best Wii games of 2009.
Likely to be regarded as one of the best Wii games for the Wii’s Virtual Console is a strategy game that harnesses the power of the Tarot. Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen might just be the best Wii VC game ever conceived, and definitely the best RPG-style game. The aforementioned Tarot cards are one of the coolest and most unusual aspects of this thoroughly rewarding crusade into days of old. Ogre Battle manages to combine action, strategy and Tarot readings into an unforgettable adventure with you right in the middle of the action.
You have the entire range of cards and powers at your disposal, although some cards like the Star Card just ramp up the stats a little bit for the units you have. Cards like Justice and Tower bring a lot more interest to the game because these give you different magic powers to use against your enemies. Even the Hermit card delivers the goods. The Death card is a Catch 22 because you can kill your competition instantly by using it but it will drop your reputation if you do. Talk about temptation, the Death card is one of the cards that beg to be used, even when you don’t really need to. In Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen, you are going to be using your cards almost from start to finish so you need to be familiar with the power that each one has. You’ll find that they add great excitement to any battle. Both strategy and RPG gamers will find lots of exciting game play to remain enthralled for hours.
While most of the game battles are automatic it will be up to you whether you want to bring a Tarot card into play or use some other tactic. Prior to battle you make preparations by setting your units into place, choosing one of your 4 available strategies. Once the action begins and your forces clash with your enemies you have no control of what will happen, so plan carefully. There are no menus, cursors, or cards that you can use while the fight is on, you just have to see how it plays out, watching the action in cutaway shots that are flashed on the screen.
The combat being handled through the built in autopilot gives you the chance to pay attention to your larger strategic plans. The focus of Ogre Battle is gaining control of the land. This game is divided into specific chapters, almost like a play, and each of these has a different map and land layout. Your armies will have to navigate through many different regions, from mountains, deep rivers, and treacherous woods, in order to gain control of various cities and temples that are currently under the rule of the Zetegenian Empire. Once free those temples and small cities allow you and your troops to purchase spells, earn gold or be healed. Just follow the large map and you will find which towns are in need of your help, but remember you will have to fight numerous battles along the way as well. Whenever you liberate a city or temple, you are able to select a new Tarot Card.
Another unique aspect of the game is how the game determine what sort of character you will start of as in the game. In the introduction, you are given a form to fill in, presented to you by the game’s presiding wizard and tutorial expert, Warren Moon. You answer questions about your personal ethics, moral code, and ability to lead others. This will determine your basic reputation, which will no doubt change throughout the game, dependant on the choices you make. It’s interesting to see how your reputation will look at the end of the action compared to how it started. The questions that you answer are tied to the Tarot Cards and to spare you getting bored with this set up, each new game begins with a new, random set of questions.
It’s the addition of “reputation” and the Tarot Cards that help make Ogre Battle such an interesting and engaging adventure for the Virtual Console and definitely one of the best Wii games now available to download. The very first Ogre Battle was created for SNES back in ‘95 and it has achieved a cult-like status among dedicated gamers over the years. The 1995 edition was limited to only 25 thousand copies, making it one of the rarest of electronic games. Thankfully, Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen is not so exclusive, but still likely to go down in gaming history as a truly unique RPG adventure.
