Maybe this will be a CONDUIT for more Wii shooters. Doh ho ho.
The Conduit is a bit of a hard game to pin. Sure, its an FPS, so you have a large library of games to compare it to, but there's also something fundamentally different about The Conduit. The most obvious difference is it's exclusivity to the Wii, meaning that this is the first definitive FPS done with motion controls. Being that its controls are the most talked about aspect of the game (maybe tied with its graphics), I'm going to discuss that first. I loved the controls in The Conduit. For me, that is the best aspect of the game without a doubt. I have trouble understanding complaints about the controls in The Conduit simply because everything about it is customizable. The only way I think you can have a legitimate complaint about the controls is if you just plain don't like the wiimote. But I'm guessing that if that is the case, you wouldn't be giving this game a try anyway.
Moving on. The graphics are another big part of the hype surrounding The Conduit's development. Yes, the game looks good as a Wii game, and of course, it still doesn't come close to matching up to any FPS on the 360 or PS3. I think that's what we all expected, so no surprises there. Of course, controls and graphics aren't the only things important, and we should note the various other areas in which The Conduit, unfortunately, is lacking in. The plot is worth as much as what most any other shooter gives you, so in comparison its perfectly fine, but it still just isn't enough. I'd really like something more than the bland story lines shooters have been feeding us for years, but I guess I'll just have to wait a little longer. Level design is another important aspect that The Conduit managed to basically match other FPSs on. Its linear, go figure. The weapons and equipment you'll find throughout the game are also mostly basic, with standard human guns, weird organic looking alien guns, and super high tech government weapons. The enemies and environments are pretty uninteresting, and the AI is mostly unimpressive. All of these mediocre aspects of the game make it, well, mediocre. I'll say it again, the controls are what make this title stand, even with all the mediocre aspects, above other shooters. At least in my mind. Honestly, if you're a fan of shooters, or haven't gotten many shooters because you only own a Wii, you should really enjoy the conduit. However, if what you want is amazing graphics and effects, or a level of innovation other than controls that go beyond current FPS trends, you'll probably find more than one or two things to complain about.
The Conduit really is a different experience than what you'll find with any other shooter, and its something that is hard for me to put into words. I just hope that the fact that it wasn't the best shooter of all time doesn't keep anyone from trying again. That is including trying with a sequel, which would be very welcome. I've been saying it, and I'll keep saying it: the Wii's controls in a FPS is a match made in gaming heaven. Let's not let it go to waste.
