Donkey Kong Country Returns
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Nintendo
After many deviations with musical instruments, racing and other different styles of play, the Donkey Kong Country series finally returns to its roots with Donkey Kong Country Returns. Though the Kremlings may be absent, there are other familiar faces from the Kong franchise which return, including Rambi, Cranky Kong, Diddy Kong and of course the great ape himself, Donkey Kong. Another big return is of course the platforming element of the series, which incorporates both old hallmarks such as golden KONG letters, as well as some new tricks thanks to the 2.5D graphics.
[FULL REVIEW: coming soon]
Endless Ocean 2
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Nintendo
The original Endless Ocean was a rather laid-back game and certainly something different from all of the action-heavy games on the market, and its sequel is no different in that regard. Endless Ocean 2 continues to place an emphasis on exploration, but there are key differences as well. This time around, a more concrete story is in place, and players will also be able to use WiiSpeak to communicate with people over online multiplayer. As well as this, you may run the risk of being attacked by some creatures of the deep, but fear not - the new tranquilizer in your diver's possession can calm them down, on top of healing sick creatures.
[FULL REVIEW: coming soon]
Epic Mickey
Players: 1
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
For us here at PALGN, Epic Mickey was a disappointment in some regards, but is by no means a horrible game unworthy of purchase for anyone. Though certain elements of the gameplay were lacking, there is no denying that a love of the Disney franchise shines through, and anybody who is a big fan of the famous mouse or Disney in general will definitely appreciate the reverence for Disney history. For everyone else, you could purchase other platformers with far worse gameplay on the Wii, but there are others which definitely have a greater level of refinement and thoroughness.
Our review said: But Epic Mickey is not just a homage to Disney, it’s also a video game, and when it all comes together it’s an unfortunate disappointment. It is never a bad game per se, but it’s also never a great game. It’s too unpolished, too unrefined, and too often seems like the Disney art and referencing of Disney material was prioritised above creating a truly engaging and interesting gameplay experience. For fans of Disney Epic Mickey will play on enough nostalgia to keep the game interesting from start to finish, but others will likely find it too clumsy and uninviting for their taste. Unless they really dig collecting things. [FULL REVIEW: 6.5]
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
Players: 1
Publisher: Ubisoft
A departue from the usual Final Fantasy RPG fare, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers is an action-adventure game and a real mixed bag. It's not awful, buggy or broken in any way, but it doesn't bring a lot new to the genre and has a tendency for repetition. It's possible that you may find it enjoyable for its difference to the main series, but due to its oversimplified nature, it may be a better game for younger players this Christmas.
Our review said: So did the experiment succeed? In some ways, yes. The Crystal Bearers can be quite enjoyable. It’s the kind of game you might play to come down from the rush of the latest action title, the gaming equivalent to a walk in the park. It's not quite exercise and you're not really getting anywhere, but you enjoy the walk for what it is. It will especially appeal to Final Fantasy fans who'd like to experience the series in a different light. Unfortunately the overly simplistic and repetitive gameplay will prove too big a detractor for everyone else. The Crystal Bearers definitely isn’t for everyone, and most eyes will remain firmly affixed to Square-Enix's next 'real' Final Fantasy title. [FULL REVIEW: 6]
Goldeneye 007
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Activision
Remaking Goldeneye 007 was always going to be a risk for anyone who attempted it - would people rely too much on nostalgia? Could the formula be tinkered with enough to appeal to a modern audience? And would it be worth buying in the end? Thankfully, Goldeneye007 is worth your money on the Wii. Though the multiplayer mode is not as amazing as the single player mode, it certainly isn't enough of a detriment to recommend against buying. Bond lovers and gamers alike would definitely be filled with glee opening Goldeneye 007 this holiday season.
Our review said: A surprisingly standout job by Eurocom and Activision well deserving of your time and money, and a game that ranks among the Wii’s very best. Get it and love it, because GoldenEye is back and it’s a blast. [FULL REVIEW: 7.5]
Ivy the Kiwi?
Players: 1
Publisher: Xseed Games
Ivy the Kiwi? was released on the Wii and DS this year, with few differences between the two versions. At its heart, Ivy the Kiwi? is a platform game with a bit of a twist - instead of moving your character with controls, your character is constantly moving. It's up to you to draw lines and activate objects to ensure that Ivy will make it safely across the level. We really enjoyed the DS version and think that Ivy the Kiwi? would be an excellent Christmas choice.
[FULL REVIEW: coming soon]
Metroid: Other M
Players: 1
Publisher: Nintendo
The Metroid series has a real habit of reinventing itself, and the trend continues in Metroid: Other M. Instead of the recent first-person perspective, Metroid: Other M adopts a third-person viewpoint, which has consequences for gameplay. A fixed camera, different combat mechanics and a varied control scheme mean that Other M isn't akin to the Prime trilogy, but it still works wonderfully well. Shaking up the presentation a bit, Other M comes loaded with cinema sequences narrated by Samus herself. An above-average Christmas gift, for those who love action titles and wish to continue the saga of one of Nintendo's most enduring heroines.
Our review said: Hopefully this is just the beginning of a fruitful relationship between Nintendo and Team Ninja, and the two go on to expand the formula evident here, because while Samus might not be the most interesting person to listen to, she sure is a lot fun to play with. [FULL REVIEW: 8]
Monster Hunter Tri
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Capcom
If you've ever felt the urge to slay beasts of a massive size on the Wii, then Monster Hunter Tri will likely satisfy your tastes. Encompassing a world filled with all the manner of creatures great and small, Monster Hunter Tri makes use of the classic controller to venture around townships, forage for herbs, and of course defeat monsters. You can also hop online and take down beasts with some friends, with the added bonus of additional quests compared to offline play.
[FULL REVIEW: coming soon]
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
Players: 1
Publisher: Activision
It would be an understatement to say that No More Heroes2: Desperate Struggle is a game apart form many others out there. With inspired art direction, a wicked sense of humour and blood by the barrel-full, it's a delightful pastiche of all things gaming and geek culture. It also happens to be a great third-person action game in its own right. Perhaps not one for young children due to its full-on content and adult themes, but anyone else will desperately struggle not to like Desperate Struggle for Christmas.
Our review said: Ultimately, being different is where Desperate Struggle succeeds above all. It really isn’t like anything else out there. Outside of the first game, it’s a totally unique experience, one of which has taken a number of measures to fix many complaints found with the previous title, making for an arguably better experience. It's fast, it's brutal, it's positively crazy, and it's fun-first mantra is one you can’t help but wish was echoed by more developers. What we’re left with is not only one of the best action titles on the Wii, but one of the most memorable of this generation. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
Players: 1
Publisher: Nintendo
Taking inspiration from the real-life Pokepark, Pikachu's Adventure sees players tasked with collecting pieces of an object known as the Sky Prism. Playing as Pikachu, you will be required to solve mini-games in order to have other Pokemon assist you on your quest. Pikachu is no slouch when it comes to abilities either - you can use Thunderbolt, Dash and Iron Tail to do battle.
[FULL REVIEW: coming soon]
Red Steel 2
Players: 1
Publisher: Ubisoft
Red Steel 2 improves on the original in just about every way imaginable. It looks better, it plays better and is generally more fun. A first-person shooter, Red Steel 2 is one of the best games to get to experience just what Wii MotionPlus is capable of, and it's required to play the game. It comes in a standard edition as well as a MotionPlus bundle. Though you may have been turned off by the original, Red Steel 2 is definitely worth giving a chance for Christmas.
Our review said: Red Steel 2 is a marked technical improvement over its predecessor, and the developers have gone back to the drawing board to create a combat system that is much more appropriate given the control scheme. The Wii Motion Plus is like a gift from the heavens, as the game is not only completely accurate now, it’s also fun, fast and completely intuitive. To add to this, the game is just about as technically proficient as a Wii game can get and the art direction and blend of Eastern and Western flavours has been extremely well considered. It’s just a shame that everything between fights is so dull and that there isn’t much more to do than a solitary run through the game. Hopefully Red Steel 2 will stand as an example to developers that the Wii Motion Plus is a superior form of control for Wii games, and that there is more to to the Wii than just excessive amounts of mini-game compilations and tacked on ports. [FULL REVIEW: 8]
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Players: 1
Publisher: Mindscape
It's difficult to recommend Silent Hill: Shattered Memories to everybody this Christmas. Fans of the series will likely derive some enjoyment from it, but everyone else may feel that there's a lot to be desired. It is one of the stronger story-based games on the Wii console, but can be hampered by controller issues and an at times lack of scares.
Our review said: It is with a heavy heart that we declare Silent Hill Shattered Memories to be an admirable failure. It is not a bad game, merely a mediocre one, but the pain is exacerbated by the squandering of its ample potential. Climax deserves credit for steering the franchise away from its faintly ludicrous occult-based thrills in favour of credible, psychological fears, but has produced the least-scary horror game since Resident Evil 5. The general, hour-to-hour experience of playing Shattered Memories is a rollercoaster of boredom and controller-heaving frustration, which makes the game difficult to recommend to anyone but the diehard veterans of the series for whom it will be a curious, diverting, but ultimately failed experiment. [FULL REVIEW: 6.5]
Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies
Players: 1
Publisher: Treasure
To put it quite simply, Sin and Punishment is one of the best games of the year, and holds the distinction of being one of our highest-reviewed titles across any platform. A thid-person on-rails shooter, Successor of the Skies manages to marry the Wii's motion-sensing capabilities with fast-paced action like no other. Yet to be released in Australia, Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies is worth getting from overseas if you can manage to have it delivered in time for Christmas.
Our review said: For many, Successor of the Skies will be the game they’ve been waiting for, and it’s no surprise that it has come from shoot ‘em up veterans Treasure. Its masterful scoring system and airtight level design result in addictive and potentially limitless score focused gameplay, while Wii specifics such as analogue control combined with pointer aiming fit the core design like a glove. The action never rests, with climatic battles and frantic gunplay that put most other modern self-proclaimed action games to shame. It’s a crime something of such high quality and entertainment value has been denied a local release, but at least a localized version exists at all. Nobody should have to wait seven years to play a gem like this. That truly would be punishment. [FULL REVIEW: 9]
Sonic Colors
Players: 1
Publisher: Sega
The Sonic series has been very disappointing of late, especially with the transition to 3D. Thankfully, Sega were able to lift their game slightly with Sonic Colors. It may be focused on the children's market, but Sonic veterans are sure to breathe a sigh of relief that at last a 3D Sonic game has come along that does the franchise some justice.
Our review said: With all this said, Sonic Colours is easily one of the best 3D Sonic games, more focused than the Adventure titles, and faster than the similarly-themed Sonic Heroes. Sega have gone a long way to shedding the baggage that was holding Sonic back - reducing the characters, making Sonic and speed the focus, and throwing in some fun power-ups. However, the game still suffers from some shonky level design, floaty controls, under-utilised powers, cheap deaths and moments where the game just plays with itself while you watch. When Sonic Colours works, it works really well. It's just unfortunate it doesn't happen that often. The game seems aimed at kids, who will most likely enjoy the game the most, but if you're a Sonic fan in need of a fix then Sega has been far less kind to you in the past. [FULL REVIEW: 7]
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Nintendo
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is extraordinary. It manages to improve on its already stellar predecessor in every way imaginable. The graphics are better, the music is more amazing than you could possibly imagine. Above all else, however, it's a fun game, and almost any person of any age will find something to smile about when they play it. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is quite possibly the finest video game on the Wii and anybody who hasn't already played it will be overjoyed to receive it for Christmas. Whether you're looking to give it to someone who already owns a Wii or you're looking for another game to bundle with a console, you simply cannot go past Super Mario Galaxy 2.
Our review said: It will come as no surprise to many that Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the best game on the Wii and one of the best games of the year so far. It is rare that gamers are graced with a title of such elegance, creative flair and technical mastery, and even rarer that such a game should boast such a bright, happy surface and be suitable for the entire family. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the epitome of what Nintendo does best and has done best since its start in videogame development; its sole purpose is to raise a smile to the lips and challenge the brain and fingers in equal measure, and in that regard Super Mario Galaxy 2 succeeds manifold. Perhaps the only negative one could raise, and even then with a degree of reluctance, is that Super Mario Galaxy 2 is not much different from its predecessor. In fact, barring the wide range of minute refinements which this sequel makes across the board, the words of this review are equally applicable to the classic original, which means that Super Mario Galaxy 2 is unlikely to pack the same punch delivered by its predecessor in 2007. Any sad soul burned out on the Galaxy experience or looking for a gameplay revolution is unlikely to have his flame reignited by this second part, and for this reason alone, Super Mario Galaxy 2, despite being the superior game, falls just short of a perfect score. Such trifling matters are, of course, irrelevant in the face of such a wonderful game; if you own a Wii, you must play Super Mario Galaxy 2, and you must play it as soon as possible. [FULL REVIEW: 9.5]
Tetris Party Deluxe
Players: 1-6
Publisher: Nintendo
Tetris Party Deluxe is a curious title. Originally released via WiiWare, it now also comes in physical form. There have been a few improvments made since the conversion, but they are probably not enough to warrant another purchase for those who already have the WiiWare version. It does happen to be a solid game, but in the end the determining factor is going to be whether or not a potentional giftee already has it in download form.
Our review said: If owning the definitive, complete package is not in your interests, then it might be best to ignore this release in favour of the cheaper version. However, those who cannot get enough of Tetris are unlikely to be disappointed with what the game has to offer, and will enjoy sharing the experience among friends. [FULL REVIEW: 7]
The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces
Players: 1
Publisher: Ubisoft
The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces is best characterised by its successful motion control system and the uniqueness of being a flight simulator on the Wii. However, drawbacks in the form of ordinary gameplay and graphics, as well as an odd storyline, mean that it won't hit the right notes for everyone. Flight simulator fans will likely lap The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces up for Christmas, but it may be a bit of a gamble for anyone else.
Our review said: While Sky Crawlers has a good variety of quality audio and a control scheme that will be the envy of any motion-controlled game on the Wii, but it is let down by sluggish, unexciting gameplay, a perplexing storyline and dated graphics. Project Aces has certainly made an effort to create a flight simulation game that targets a wider audience, and if these areas can be improved, their next Wii title is sure to be a hit. [FULL REVIEW: 6]
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