Final Thoughts: Zack & Wiki
Zack & Wiki is a unique puzzle game consisting of a series of levels, each of which is a "puzzle" that must be solved. In one level, your goal may simply be to find a way through a locked door. In another level, you might have to protect your pirate ship from an attacking sea creature. These are your goals. Getting to these goals is what constitutes the "puzzle" aspect of the game.
It's hard to give proper examples of these puzzles without ruining the game for those who haven't played it, so let me try to explain some of the basics instead...
The protagonists of the game are Zack, a young aspiring pirate, and his friend Wiki, a golden monkey-thing that can fly. But Wiki is more than he seems... by raising the Wii remote in the air and shaking it, Wiki transforms into a bell. This action is very important. The bell has the power to transform nearby creatures into useful objects. For example, a centipede turns into a saw, which can then be used to cut a pole in half, which can then be used as a torch to light a dark room. Catch my drift?
Along with the items that can be created by ringing Wiki, there are also many items and contraptions found in each level that can be manipulated. In this manner, the Wii remote is used in a multitude of different ways, and to great effect. Need to saw something in half? Make a sawing gesture with the remote. Need to push or shake something? Gesture it. Pull a lever? I think you can guess what you need to do. These are but a few very basic examples. Throughout the course of the game, you'll discover many more unique and clever uses of the remote.
In fact, the remote is the only thing you need to play Z&W. To move Zack, all you have to do is point at the screen and click. To examine or pick up an object, put the cursor over it and press the A button. That's all there is to it. In this way, the controls are simplified to such a level that absolutely anybody can play this game and have a great time with it. Z&W is a shining example of what the Wii stands for. The controls are simple and intuitive, but most importantly, they work nearly flawlessly.
With control explanations out of the way, let's get to the good part... what makes this game so great? First of all, it is the puzzles themselves. The designers did an outstanding job of building the levels. The solutions to the puzzles always make sense in the end, but are almost never apparent from the start. The fun comes in exploring and trying different things. And when you finally put it all together and figure out the solution, you feel a true sense of accomplishment. The game is very rewarding in this way.
And what of the difficulty? The puzzles range from pathetically easy to fairly challenging, with varying levels in between. You don't want to be pulling your hair out every time, but you also don't want to feel like there is no challenge, either. I personally think the balance was really good. In fact, the game is twice as fun with more people. I played a decent chunk of the game with the kids around (ages 6 and 10), and I had a really good time. It's a really fun and unique dynamic when different people all have different suggestions of ways to tackle problems. It's also twice as fulfilling to all involved when a puzzle is solved (it feels like a team effort!) If you have kids, I definitely suggest playing this game with them. It's a great way to bring your family together, too (just don't be surprised when your 6-year old comes up with the solution to a puzzle before you do).
Throughout the course of your adventure, you're bound to make a few mistakes... actually, I promise you will. A lot. So how forgiving is the game when you screw up? Answer: very. The game gives you every opportunity to correctly solve a puzzle. First of all, there is a hint system built in. If you are stuck in a puzzle and ask for help, the game will either a) give you a hint on what to do next, or b) inform you that you've done something which makes the puzzle unsolvable. I've seen some people complain that puzzles can be rendered unsolvable (with no alert to the player). I have to take exception to this criticism. In fact, the game DOES give you warning when this happens... all you have to do is hit "1" on the remote. If you've royally screwed yourself, the game tells you, free of charge. I think it's a brilliant design (get help if you want it, and don't... if you don't).
In addition to the hint system, there is also a "revive" method. If you accidentally kill yourself, you have the option to revive your character to the most recent state in which you were safe. The only cost to using hints and revives is Zenny, which is the in-game currency (of which there is plenty). This system really cuts down on potential frustration and is, in my estimation, a brilliant addition to the game. I really don't see how anyone can have a valid complaint about this.
The final aspect of the game I would like to touch upon is the art and character design. Another complaint I've seen tossed about is that Z&W looks too "kiddy". Statements like this infuriate me. Anybody who doesn't play a game based purely on it's looks just flat out sucks. Congratulations on being completely insecure! In reality, the art design for Z&W is some of the best I've ever seen. The cel-shaded stylized look is exactly the right style to match the gameplay, and is also a perfect fit for Wii. The graphics themselves are absolutely beautiful, and I cannot give Capcom enough credit for taking the time to not only create a solid game, but to make it look as good as it does (especially when you consider how many companies don't).
On top of the graphics, Z&W also shines in its character design. From the title characters and the Sea Rabbit crew to Captain Rose and the Rose Rock Pirates, every character is unique and interesting. The team really put a lot of work into creating these characters and the game is all the more fun for it. I also love the distinctly Japanese voice-over style. I know it's not for everybody, but I always get a kick out of games that handle voices in this way.
With all this good stuff, there must also be some bad, right? Well, yeah. There isn't anything about the game that has me up-in-arms or anything, but I think a few legitimate complaints can be raised. First of all, the introduction is a bit too long. I think they probably should have shortened it up a bit, introduced the game mechanics sooner, and worked in the the other characters a bit more gradually. Secondly, while nearly every puzzle has an obvious solution (if you think about it long enough), some of the deaths seem undeniably cheap. Most of the game is played at a leisurely pace, but every now and again you are suddenly thrust into a time-sensitive situation. These changes in pace often come unexpectedly and without enough reaction time to investigate the situation and make the correct decision. Most of my deaths resulted from this sort of thing. It feels really unfair dying this way, but luckily the revive ticket system was always there to bail me out (so I can't really complain too much). And finally, on a few of the larger and more complicated levels, there were noticeable frame rate issues. Again, this is not a game-breaking issue, but it is worth noting.
I don't want to end this post on a negative note, so let me add one more positive thing that I forgot to mention earlier... the music in Z&W is really, really good. It always fits the levels or situations perfectly, is never distracting or annoying, and I guarantee you'll find yourself humming along every so often. Really, this game excels on almost every possible level.
In closing, the only thing I can say is that you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't at least TRY Zack & Wiki. If you have a Wii, there is no excuse not to. It originally hit retail for only $40 (but can now be found regularly for much less) and is absolutely one of the best bargains in all of gaming. There is a possibility that you may not like it, but to not at least try it would be a crime. Message boards are filled with positive stories from people who gave Z-Dub a try and were more than pleased that they did. An amazing amount of work went into this game (I was honestly shocked at how many names were listed in the credits), and I truly feel that the development team deserves to be rewarded for it. Far too many mediocre-to-poor games get released nowadays and become successful, while truly brilliant games like Z&W get lost in the shuffle. Don't be part of the problem. Please, give Zack & Wiki a chance. I honestly think you will be glad you did.
It's hard to give proper examples of these puzzles without ruining the game for those who haven't played it, so let me try to explain some of the basics instead...
The protagonists of the game are Zack, a young aspiring pirate, and his friend Wiki, a golden monkey-thing that can fly. But Wiki is more than he seems... by raising the Wii remote in the air and shaking it, Wiki transforms into a bell. This action is very important. The bell has the power to transform nearby creatures into useful objects. For example, a centipede turns into a saw, which can then be used to cut a pole in half, which can then be used as a torch to light a dark room. Catch my drift?
Along with the items that can be created by ringing Wiki, there are also many items and contraptions found in each level that can be manipulated. In this manner, the Wii remote is used in a multitude of different ways, and to great effect. Need to saw something in half? Make a sawing gesture with the remote. Need to push or shake something? Gesture it. Pull a lever? I think you can guess what you need to do. These are but a few very basic examples. Throughout the course of the game, you'll discover many more unique and clever uses of the remote.
In fact, the remote is the only thing you need to play Z&W. To move Zack, all you have to do is point at the screen and click. To examine or pick up an object, put the cursor over it and press the A button. That's all there is to it. In this way, the controls are simplified to such a level that absolutely anybody can play this game and have a great time with it. Z&W is a shining example of what the Wii stands for. The controls are simple and intuitive, but most importantly, they work nearly flawlessly.
With control explanations out of the way, let's get to the good part... what makes this game so great? First of all, it is the puzzles themselves. The designers did an outstanding job of building the levels. The solutions to the puzzles always make sense in the end, but are almost never apparent from the start. The fun comes in exploring and trying different things. And when you finally put it all together and figure out the solution, you feel a true sense of accomplishment. The game is very rewarding in this way.
And what of the difficulty? The puzzles range from pathetically easy to fairly challenging, with varying levels in between. You don't want to be pulling your hair out every time, but you also don't want to feel like there is no challenge, either. I personally think the balance was really good. In fact, the game is twice as fun with more people. I played a decent chunk of the game with the kids around (ages 6 and 10), and I had a really good time. It's a really fun and unique dynamic when different people all have different suggestions of ways to tackle problems. It's also twice as fulfilling to all involved when a puzzle is solved (it feels like a team effort!) If you have kids, I definitely suggest playing this game with them. It's a great way to bring your family together, too (just don't be surprised when your 6-year old comes up with the solution to a puzzle before you do).
Throughout the course of your adventure, you're bound to make a few mistakes... actually, I promise you will. A lot. So how forgiving is the game when you screw up? Answer: very. The game gives you every opportunity to correctly solve a puzzle. First of all, there is a hint system built in. If you are stuck in a puzzle and ask for help, the game will either a) give you a hint on what to do next, or b) inform you that you've done something which makes the puzzle unsolvable. I've seen some people complain that puzzles can be rendered unsolvable (with no alert to the player). I have to take exception to this criticism. In fact, the game DOES give you warning when this happens... all you have to do is hit "1" on the remote. If you've royally screwed yourself, the game tells you, free of charge. I think it's a brilliant design (get help if you want it, and don't... if you don't).
In addition to the hint system, there is also a "revive" method. If you accidentally kill yourself, you have the option to revive your character to the most recent state in which you were safe. The only cost to using hints and revives is Zenny, which is the in-game currency (of which there is plenty). This system really cuts down on potential frustration and is, in my estimation, a brilliant addition to the game. I really don't see how anyone can have a valid complaint about this.
The final aspect of the game I would like to touch upon is the art and character design. Another complaint I've seen tossed about is that Z&W looks too "kiddy". Statements like this infuriate me. Anybody who doesn't play a game based purely on it's looks just flat out sucks. Congratulations on being completely insecure! In reality, the art design for Z&W is some of the best I've ever seen. The cel-shaded stylized look is exactly the right style to match the gameplay, and is also a perfect fit for Wii. The graphics themselves are absolutely beautiful, and I cannot give Capcom enough credit for taking the time to not only create a solid game, but to make it look as good as it does (especially when you consider how many companies don't).
On top of the graphics, Z&W also shines in its character design. From the title characters and the Sea Rabbit crew to Captain Rose and the Rose Rock Pirates, every character is unique and interesting. The team really put a lot of work into creating these characters and the game is all the more fun for it. I also love the distinctly Japanese voice-over style. I know it's not for everybody, but I always get a kick out of games that handle voices in this way.
With all this good stuff, there must also be some bad, right? Well, yeah. There isn't anything about the game that has me up-in-arms or anything, but I think a few legitimate complaints can be raised. First of all, the introduction is a bit too long. I think they probably should have shortened it up a bit, introduced the game mechanics sooner, and worked in the the other characters a bit more gradually. Secondly, while nearly every puzzle has an obvious solution (if you think about it long enough), some of the deaths seem undeniably cheap. Most of the game is played at a leisurely pace, but every now and again you are suddenly thrust into a time-sensitive situation. These changes in pace often come unexpectedly and without enough reaction time to investigate the situation and make the correct decision. Most of my deaths resulted from this sort of thing. It feels really unfair dying this way, but luckily the revive ticket system was always there to bail me out (so I can't really complain too much). And finally, on a few of the larger and more complicated levels, there were noticeable frame rate issues. Again, this is not a game-breaking issue, but it is worth noting.
I don't want to end this post on a negative note, so let me add one more positive thing that I forgot to mention earlier... the music in Z&W is really, really good. It always fits the levels or situations perfectly, is never distracting or annoying, and I guarantee you'll find yourself humming along every so often. Really, this game excels on almost every possible level.
In closing, the only thing I can say is that you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't at least TRY Zack & Wiki. If you have a Wii, there is no excuse not to. It originally hit retail for only $40 (but can now be found regularly for much less) and is absolutely one of the best bargains in all of gaming. There is a possibility that you may not like it, but to not at least try it would be a crime. Message boards are filled with positive stories from people who gave Z-Dub a try and were more than pleased that they did. An amazing amount of work went into this game (I was honestly shocked at how many names were listed in the credits), and I truly feel that the development team deserves to be rewarded for it. Far too many mediocre-to-poor games get released nowadays and become successful, while truly brilliant games like Z&W get lost in the shuffle. Don't be part of the problem. Please, give Zack & Wiki a chance. I honestly think you will be glad you did.
