Tag: Wii

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Video Games

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Skyward SwordI know I’ve played a pretty amazing game when I’m both happy and sad to of finished it. Though I’m very happy to of played through the Skyward Sword, I am kinda bummed that the journey is no more (well there is Hero Mode I suppose, but I do also have a job).

This game was a masterpiece from top to bottom. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of playing the original Legend of Zelda for the NES 25 years ago with my brothers and friends. We were instantly hooked and it truly changed how we thought of video games from that point forward.

Even with my wild imagination 25 years ago, I’d of never of thought that the series could of reached the status that is has today.

The art style was stunning. It was like playing one massive painting. While not as photo realistic as many of the current A titles out, I really liked the art direction taken in this title. It just seemed very original to me.

I will always be amazed at the puzzles and dungeon designs. I wonder who comes up with them? They’re original and challenging but not too challenging at the same time.

The MotionPlus controls were spot on. It’s a shame that more titles haven’t been able to duplicate that yet. Sword strikes were dead on, with many moments decided by precision slashing. Very well done.

This was a true masterpiece and a must play for anyone who owns a Wii. The story was great, and really does a great job of tying in moments from the numerous installments over the past 25 years.

A truly amazingly well made game. And a prime example of when the are video games art debate comes up.

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Video Games

Chrono Trigger

Chrono TriggerBack in the early 90’s I was a huge fan of Japanese RPG’s on the NES and later the SNES. Looking back, it was my personal golden age of video games. However I never did get around to playing Chrono Trigger, it just happened to come out when I was graduating HS and starting college.

Chrono Trigger always makes it way high up on lists of greatest games ever, and after playing it through I must agree and place it very high on my list of all time greats as well. Even though this game was from super way back on the SNES in 1995, it amazingly still held up as a great game.

It seemed to have everything that I used to enjoy in games as a kid. The numerous characters you get, the rich story (time travel is always cool), and the numerous side quests and alternate endings are very cool too. All in all just everything that used to be great about Japanese RPG’s. Wish they still made them like this.

 

 

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Video Games

Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident

Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave IncidentThe Malgrave Incident was a refreshingly old school adventure style game for the Wii. This style of game was very popular on the PC years back, but still has it’s charm today.

You’re a detective and you must solve a mystery, basic but still never seems to get old. I really enjoyed the simple scenes where you must locate all the hidden objects. It’s like a massive issue of Highlights at the dentist office. I always liked looking for all the hidden stuff, simple but fun.

There’s also a number of different logic puzzles that need to be solved along the way too. I really enjoyed them, some were a bit challenging but all were solvable. Nothing too crazy or complex.

This game is really best played with someone else. It’s good to bounce ideas off one another and the slow pace of the game works well for 2 people.

While this game hasn’t gotten the greatest of ratings online, I thought that it was a lot of fun to play. Granted it’s not Halo, but I think it’s a great game for casual gamers or for people who just like the old school simple point and click adventure game that is hard to come by these days.

 

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Video Games

Donkey Kong Country Returns

Donkey Kong Country ReturnsI finally beat the last boss on Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii. This game was really challenging, like some of the old school platformers that my brothers and I would play for hours on end growing up. I must’ve tried to beat that last boss over a hundred times before I finally got him and brought the bananas back to the island.

The rest of the game of really well done and did justice to the old Super Nintendo Donkey Kong Country games. But again I must stress how difficult the levels were overall, but how rewarding it felt to beat them. I genuinely felt excited upon beating some of the levels.

I didn’t try the co-op play, but supposedly that’s pretty cool too. There’s also some hidden levels after beating the game, but I haven’t been brave enough to attempt them.

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Video Games

GoldenEye 007

GoldenEye 007A few months back, Target was running a buy 2 get 1 free video game sale, so I figured I’d pick up GoldenEye 007 for the Wii as one of the games. The original on the Nintendo 64 was one of the all time greatest games in my opinion. The multiplayer bouts were amazing, and really set the standard that is still followed today. Back at Micorplay, GoldenEye was one of the biggest tournaments we held (that and Twisted Metal 2, haha good times).

I’ve recently finished the campaign mode, and thought it was very impressive. The levels are challenging, but not so hard that they’re frustrating. The music and story do a great job of making you feel like you’re part of a story and not just shooting at things. I was pleasantly impressed.

I haven’t really tried out the multiplayer or online play yet, which is weird since that was I enjoyed so much about the original. As far as Wii shooters go, this one is probably the best I’ve played. There’s a lot of stealth involved, which really makes things interesting and challenging. A very solid game and worthy follow up to the classic N64 game.

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Video Games

Kirby’s Epic Yarn

Kirby's Epic YarnOne of my favorite games I’ve played recently has been Kirby’s Epic Yarn on the Wii. While it might come across at first as a little kid’s game, it’s really a great and fairly challenging platformer.

I was extremely impressed by the artwork used in the game. Everything has a fabric or pattern feel that really looks amazing. You can go beneath the fabric at times, and pulling strings changes the landscape is very cool too. It sounds pretty strange, but really worked well.

What really makes it great is the co-op play (unless you’re being Kate-ed by your teammate – aka being blamed for everything and anything bad that happens while playing). The ability to control both Kirty and Prince Fluff on screen at the same time is very similar to playing New Super Mario Bros. (and that’s a very good thing). This is the perfect game to play with a casual gamer.

Prince Fluff is amazing, and if I were ever forced to get a tattoo he’d be a serious consideration. Even after beating the game there’s still much to go back and complete if you’re a perfectionist. Some of the optional challenges are very difficult. A highly recommended fun 2 player game.