One of the biggest complaints when people talk about the Wii is the lack of core titles. I tend to disagree with this, and whilst it by no means has the amount that the PS3 or Xbox 360 has, you don’t have to look too hard for games of the adult persuasion. Case in point: MadWorld.
Released in 2009, roaming beat’em up MadWorld surprised quite a few people. Whilst the Wii’s focus at the time seemed to be on fitness titles, and party games, MadWorld was a sadistic fist to the groin of all things pleasant. You play as ‘Jack’, Varrigan City’s newest entry into ‘Death Watch’ – an uber violent game show that is a cross between The Running Man and Smash TV. Jack really isn’t your average hero type, to the point where he has attached a chainsaw onto one of his arms.
Realising that the Wii lacks a bit of grunt under the bonnet, PlatinumGames went for a black and white stylised look with MadWorld. It certainly made the game stand out from the crowd, with the only colour you’ll see being red from the gallons of blood spilled.
The basic premise of the game is to go from area to area, beating the living daylights out of the gangs that block your path, earning points as you go. It’s not as simple as that, though, because the big points can only be achieved when your start to get creative. For example, you could easily make Jack hit an enemy a couple of times then throw him into a giant fan; that’s fine, the guy’s dead, on to the next.
To really get into the spirit of the game (and of course, earn decent points) you would make Jack put a barrel over the enemy’s head, smack him about a bit as he stumbles blindly, skewer both the bin and enemy with the pointy end of a pulled up signpost, and then chuck him into the fan. This game is really gruesome, and environment interaction is positively encouraged as you chop, slice, burn, and impale your way to victory. Oh, and you can also push people in front of moving trains. The game is also pretty darn funny at times, with a stream of one-liners that I probably shouldn’t repeat.
On the whole the Wii motion controls work fairly well, although don’t expect anything too sophisticated. It strikes a fine balance between Wii Waggle (I might copyright that name) and button bashing. As with most things there are a few problems, unfortunately.
Whilst I certainly dig the visual style, sometimes it becomes extremely difficult to see pick-ups as they tend to blend into the background. The camera can also prove to be an obstreperous beast, wandering off to do its own thing. This in turn exacerbates the dodgy target lock, as the camera moves about and locks onto something completely unrelated… like a signpost, rather than the knife wielding maniac about to cut you a permanent smiley face.
Overall MadWorld is an enjoyable, extremely violent, fairly short game that can now be picked up for five of your Pound coins. For that price it is well worth a look.
R4U Eldave0
Fantastic game and definately one of my favourites on the Wii. The commentators are awesome! ;) My only gripe is that the game is pretty short, easily worth the fiver you pay for it these days though
simplebob
Been tempted to pick this up so many times, wonder if theres any chance of a PS3 Move remake?
R4U Eldave0
Given house of the dead overkill is on its way, you never know :)
R4U Eldave0
Sorry, just remembered my favourite quote from it:
Announcer1: You know, that stop sign/tire combo was very ironic.
Announcer2: What do you mean?
Announcer1: Oh, did I say ironic? I meant F**KING AWESOME!
Announcer2: Common mistake..
:D may have to dust off the Wii and play some of this tonight.
gideon1451
I’m finding it quite difficult to tell what’s going on in those screenshots. Perhaps it in motion is easier.
nofi
No, not for me. Madworld was a blurry, lo-res mess.
Tuffcub
Hands up who had to look up ‘obstreperous’:D
Rocket_345
Yep i did.
Rocket_345
I never got this when it was released and dont play on the wii enough now to justify a purchase even if it is only a fiver. If it was to get a Move remake however things may change.
hazelam
it was a pretty fun game, but once again the waggle controls just ruined it for me.
motion controls can work well in the right situation, like simulating a sport, the wiimote is perfect for a golf game for example.
but i’f i’m playing some fighting game i don’t want to have to flail around to hit somebody, i’d rather just press a button thanks.
i borrowed manhunt 2 for the wii once, played five minutes, that was all i could stand, gave it back, the controls were bloody awful.
that’s why i dislike motion controls so much, used appropriately, they can be bloody great, but they can also ruin what would otherwise be a damn good game.
that i think is what’s happened with this game, i don’t know if it would be a great game, but it would be quite a bit of fun if it could be played with a standard pad.
R4U Eldave0
“used appropriately, they can be bloody great”
Agreed. Resident Evil 4 on the Wii was even better than the mighty Gamecube version thanks to its controls.
yogdog
Resi 4 on the wii was utterly brilliant. Loved every moment.