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"Wii Play"

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This thread has been linked to the game 'Wii Play'.
Sat 23/12/06 at 14:00
Regular
Posts: 18,185
Wii Play is a very difficult game to review. On the one hand it is merely a selection of basic, pointless and shallow mini-games that have been bettered in a host of other launch titles. Yet it is also a game I find almost impossible not to recommend.

The game is built with the intention of training those new to gaming on the various abilities of the Wii remote. And with this in mind the game is a success, in that it does showcase a variety of ways in which the new controller can be used with a fair amount of shooting, twisting and swinging to do. Indeed after a quick play you’ll be ready to tackle most (if not all) future Wii titles. Yet a quick play is all you’ll really get from the game. Games like Laser Hockey (like air hockey only cheaper), Fishing (complete with cartoon graphics) and Shooting Range (which plays a bit like a frantic Duck Hunt) can be fun with two players (but sadly there is no four-player option) and Billiards, where you use the Wii mote like a snooker cue, even has some depth to it. But these small gems are ruined by some truly awful attempts.

Table Tennis is an opportunity to see what Wii Sports’ Tennis would be like if you controlled the movement and not the bat… a game devoid of skill or interest. Tanks, despite a promising start, will soon be discarded, whereas Find Mii (where you have to find similar Mii’s) and Pose Mii (where you have to twist the remote to strike the right pose) are both pointless and dull (even if it is nice to see your Miis in action). And that’s not mentioning the appalling sound and graphics that make Wii Sports look positively sexy.

Yet despite all this criticism the game is a must. Indeed the Wii mote that comes bundled with the game raises it out of the “disappointing launch game” category and into the “essential first purchase” one. Wii Play is the sister product to Wii Sports and like Wii Sports could have easily been included with the hardware (along with the second controller). It would allow you to learn all the tricks of the Wii controller as well as enjoy multiplayer gaming straight out of the box. Yet Nintendo decided against the added expense, leaving instead a highly attractive optional extra. The game and controller is easily worth the £35 (or less) retailers are charging and the package is an ideal way of getting the Wii message, of playing together, across to the consumer.

Indeed Wii Play is far more than just a collection of mini-games, it is an extension of the console itself, and should be your first port of call, even before the superb Zelda.

Dringo
Sat 30/12/06 at 12:05
Regular
Posts: 18,185
4-player tank and 4-player shooting would have been a right laugh.
Sat 23/12/06 at 16:12
Regular
"Blood on my suit"
Posts: 1,387
Dringo wrote:
>(but sadly there is no four-player option)
Really? We tried ot do 4 player eye toy before. Absoulute hell.
Sat 23/12/06 at 14:00
Regular
Posts: 18,185
Wii Play is a very difficult game to review. On the one hand it is merely a selection of basic, pointless and shallow mini-games that have been bettered in a host of other launch titles. Yet it is also a game I find almost impossible not to recommend.

The game is built with the intention of training those new to gaming on the various abilities of the Wii remote. And with this in mind the game is a success, in that it does showcase a variety of ways in which the new controller can be used with a fair amount of shooting, twisting and swinging to do. Indeed after a quick play you’ll be ready to tackle most (if not all) future Wii titles. Yet a quick play is all you’ll really get from the game. Games like Laser Hockey (like air hockey only cheaper), Fishing (complete with cartoon graphics) and Shooting Range (which plays a bit like a frantic Duck Hunt) can be fun with two players (but sadly there is no four-player option) and Billiards, where you use the Wii mote like a snooker cue, even has some depth to it. But these small gems are ruined by some truly awful attempts.

Table Tennis is an opportunity to see what Wii Sports’ Tennis would be like if you controlled the movement and not the bat… a game devoid of skill or interest. Tanks, despite a promising start, will soon be discarded, whereas Find Mii (where you have to find similar Mii’s) and Pose Mii (where you have to twist the remote to strike the right pose) are both pointless and dull (even if it is nice to see your Miis in action). And that’s not mentioning the appalling sound and graphics that make Wii Sports look positively sexy.

Yet despite all this criticism the game is a must. Indeed the Wii mote that comes bundled with the game raises it out of the “disappointing launch game” category and into the “essential first purchase” one. Wii Play is the sister product to Wii Sports and like Wii Sports could have easily been included with the hardware (along with the second controller). It would allow you to learn all the tricks of the Wii controller as well as enjoy multiplayer gaming straight out of the box. Yet Nintendo decided against the added expense, leaving instead a highly attractive optional extra. The game and controller is easily worth the £35 (or less) retailers are charging and the package is an ideal way of getting the Wii message, of playing together, across to the consumer.

Indeed Wii Play is far more than just a collection of mini-games, it is an extension of the console itself, and should be your first port of call, even before the superb Zelda.

Dringo

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