There’s no denying that a Wiimote-style controller could be used to fantastic effect as a lightsaber in a game. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t seem like it’s possible with the technology the Wii presents at the moment. Maybe with the upcoming Motion Plus? We can hope. Nonetheless, Aussie developers Krome have made a valiant attempt at making a fun game based around this concept, but ultimately it falls short in just about every area.
The game is based on the Clone Wars animated movie and TV series, and consists of two Jedis fighting it out in a best of 3 rounds match. Like the source material, it is aimed at younger Star Wars fans, and this may alienate some of the older ones.
Controlling your Jedi involves both the nunchuk and Wiimote, with the analogue stick used for movement, and motions on the Wiimote tied to specific saber slashes (left movement/slash left, upwards movement/slash up, stab/er…stab etc.). So no one-to-one motion here. Ten characters are available to play as (including Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan and General Grievous), and each have two specific combos triggered by pulling off the correct sequence of Wiimote gestures. You can also use the force to throw objects around you at your opponent, push your opponent away, use special force attacks or make your attacks stronger. Doing so drains your force energy, which can be replenished by smacking your opponent in the face. You can also block (or parry with good timing) by pressing B (which doesn’t seem to be particularly effective) and dodge by pressing A. There’s a brief campaign (think Arcade or Story mode in traditional fighters – short enough not to warrant a save system), challenge mode (meet certain conditions in a fight, like a time limit) and that’s pretty much it. Sure, there’s the multiplayer mode but really there just isn’t much content for your buck.
In the special edition, Count Dooku attacks first.
And on that token, unfortunately the controls don’t work that well, or as well as they “should”. The waggle isn’t precise and it simply does not feel like you are holding a lightsaber. You’re just waggling the controller. It’s a shame that the game would probably work better had the lightsaber been mapped to a button, though this would completely defeat the entire point of the game. The characters all animate well, but they all play very similarly. Sure, some are slower and some are faster, but you really don’t need to adjust your technique between characters since there is really only one way to fight: do as many combos/powerful force attacks as you can. There just isn’t a whole lot of depth here, especially compared to the countless combos in other fighting games. Really, the Apprentice (or Darth Vader or Yoda, for that matter) in Soul Calibur 4 has more combos and variety than all the characters in this game combined.
To the game’s credit though, it is presented well, with decent voice acting (though Obi Wan sounds nothing like I remember from the films, and the announcer is an annoying tool). The animation is also top notch, but there just isn’t much meat here t back it all up. Give it a rent.
By watchers_eye
Graphics: B
Nice style and animations.
Sound: B
Typical Star Wars, which is a good thing, but nothing you haven’t heard before.
Gameplay: C+
As good as waggle gets, I suppose.
Overall: C+
Kinda fun initially, but the controls, characters and gameplay options all suffer from a severe lack of depth. Stick with renting.
