Having grown bored with their Earth-invasion plans, and poor Rayman no where in sight to torture, the Rabbids somehow get the idea their home is the moon. Lacking a spaceship however, the Rabbids must find an alternate method of getting to that shiny ball in the sky, so they decide the best way is to build a tower using anything and everything they find. The task appears to be left up to two Rabbids – one pushing a shopping trolley and the other yelling at anything that stands in their way – while the others march around playing music. It isn’t clear sailing for the psychotic bunnies though, as the humans take notice of their antics and set out to stop them with traps, vicious dogs and exterminators. The plot completely tosses aside all forms of logic, makes little sense at the best of times, and is absolutely hilarious. It’s a prime example of how such a simple concept can go a long way in setting up the theme for an entire game.
The Rabbids get around in style.
The gameplay is straightforward and accessible to gamers of all ages. Players take control of two Rabbids who are armed with a shopping trolley, and must travel through levels collecting any materials they find by simply driving over them. The materials generally have white circles around them so they stand out instantly, but other items such as clothing need to be stripped off humans or bashed out of an object. This is done by simply shaking the Wii remote which causes one of the Rabbids to scream, essentially acting as a standard attack. You can also point the Wii remote at your screen and fire a Rabbid by pressing the Z button on the Nunchuck. The game’s scoring system denotes one point for each item, as well as 600 points for larger items. It’s possible to obtain 1000 points in each level, and they’re used as a guide to how high your tower is.
The game’s simplicity is both a strength and weakness. On one hand the gameplay is kept at a consistent pace, but on the other it can feel repetitive over time. To keep things fresh, the developers try to constantly throw new elements at players. In some levels, for example, you’ll obtain a bubble bed that gives you the ability to jump and momentarily hover over small distances. In other instances you might strap on a jet engine and speed through a busy airport. The enemies also become more entertaining as you progress, with humans evolving from timid beings who are easily knocked over, to fierce verminators (the game’s equivalent to exterminators) who wield laser guns, dogs and bomb-throwers. These bizarre scenarios all fit in with the Rabbids universe, and the variety of challenges associated with each one keeps Rabbids Go Home feeling fun and unique from other offerings on the Wii.
Did you hear something behind us?
Levels are designed to be linear, with environments including hospitals, airports, nuclear plants and office buildings, among others. The design decision means casual players will never become overwhelmed by the busy locations, but for the more adventurous there are plenty of hidden pathways to uncover which contain more loot for the Rabbids. As mentioned, some levels make use of trolley upgrades, but others are designed to test players’ coordination and speed. For instance, one level sees players race against a cow in a truck, so you have to maneuver through hazards and chose pathways which have collectibles in favor of those that don’t. Another charming feature is some levels have little side-stories. A few examples include a hospital patient who has a crush on a nurse, a night watchmen who goes insane after seeing the Rabbids break into the power plant, and a grouchy executive calling for his secretary over a speaker phone. The mini-stories are mainly told through in-game voice overs, so they take a backseat to the adventure and become more of an afterthought. But it’s just one of those small elements which represent the world around you, and it keeps things humorous and interesting.
There is an incentive for collecting all the materials in each level. This comes in the form of customisation options for your Rabbid team. You’ll be able to completely warp their faces, dress them up, place tattoos on their bodies, and put hats on their heads. The feature is presented as a simple photo editing application, but if you use your imagination you’re able to create quite a few interesting concepts such as a zombie Rabbid, and even a knock off version of Kermit the Frog. The game also has a feature dubbed the Rabbids Channel. This adds a new channel to the Wii Menu, and can be accessed without loading the game disc. The channel lets you put your Rabbid design skills to the test by entering and judging theme competitions, though it never truly plays a big part in the overall experience. Rabbid Channel aside, the customisation options have a surprising amount of depth and can easily keep you amused for hours on end.
Kermit the Frog is looking a little fatter than usual.
Rabbids Go Home is thoughtfully presented in a cartoon-ish art style which suits the wacky nature of the characters. In motion it’s really pleasing to the eyes, and although it’s nothing compared to Mario Galaxy and Metroid, it is still easily one of the more visually appealing titles available on Wii. The music is composed of several cover versions of popular hits such as "Louie Louie" and "Kingston Town” which represent the easy-going lifestyle of the human world, while the Rabbids are presented with energetic tunes from a Moldavian brass band. It’s interesting how the styles all meld flawlessly and yet are contrast to each other. Unfortunately there are a few quiet moments here and there, but it’s nothing too concerning.
Rabbids Go Home is a wonderfully unique game that shows the Rabbids are capable of staring in something other than mundane mini-game compilations. The developers have done an excellent job in creating the wacky worlds and characters, and while the gameplay is simple it’s also highly entertaining.
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