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Zack and Wiki: Barbaros' Treasure
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November 5th, 2007 by AlmightyMax
Hints and HirameQs
From start to finish, Zack and Wiki is quite a bit tougher than the presentation would have one suspect. However, to ease the pain for those less familiar with point-and-clicks, Zack and Wiki offers some interesting hint and scoring mechanics. As long as you have Oracle Dolls in stock, you can call up the Hint Oracle at any time to get advice on the next step to take, or recall old information you may find you need again.
But no good thing can come without its consequences, and the same is true with Zack and Wiki. Every time you buy an Oracle doll, the price will go up and up until you will find yourself replaying levels just for extra cash. As if that wasn’t enough, every hint you use lowers your score (measured in HirameQs, your imaginative power), providing more incentive to replay levels. The developers have found great ways to make sure while their game is challenging, gamers should be encouraged to figure things out for themselves.
Vibrant and Colorful
When you consider the graphics, it’s really hard - even for long-time skeptics - to criticize the Wii’s processing power. Capcom accomplishes this not by making the game look technically outstanding, but instead, by giving it a vibrant, colorful look which will probably remind most people of The Wind Waker. Characters and enemies look gorgeous, and the varied locales (jungle ruins, volcanoes, haunted houses) are all done equally well. It’s evident early on that a lot of work has gone into the art direction, and it shines all the way through to the endgame.
I wish I could have the same glowing praise for the sound, but sadly, the game’s original scores and “voice-work” are mediocre at best. Part of this comes from the fact that there really isn’t much music to talk about; the dev team seemingly took the easy way out, adding a couple sound effects that match the stage’s location. It’s quite a shame, really, because the game does have some brilliant songs. But for every great song in the game, there are five that flop. The voice acting is also nothing to get excited about; all characters have Zelda-like voice snippets, although they’re done in full Japanese and absolutely dripping with cuteness.
A Pirate’s Life for Me
Despite any criticisms one may have for Zack and Wiki, disliking the game is not an easy thing to do. The game will captivate you from the very beginning, and not let you go until you see the credits scroll. All Wii owners, especially those feeling the lack of quality games for the console, should look into Zack and Wiki; I can almost guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Zack and Wiki is really in desperate need of support, as the box art/title will probably deter even the most hardcore point-and-click fans; and that’s really a shame. While Zack and Wiki may not be the overall best game of the year, it has more than enough charm and imagination for me to give my wholehearted recommendations. Zack and Wiki may look weak or strange standing next to all the bigger, higher-pedigree Game of the Year contestants, but I’m going to be backing it, even if I’m all alone in doing it.
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Graphics
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9 |
How hooked?
9
(not an average)
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Sound
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6 |
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Interface
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10 |
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Replay
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9 |
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Gameplay
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10 |
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Stability
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9 |
Total votes: 7 - give us yours!
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Developer:
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Capcom |
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Publisher:
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Capcom |
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Release:
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October 23rd, 2007 |
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Genre:
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Puzzle |
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Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure treates you to moment after moment of magic, with each outdoing the last. There is no better way as of now to spend time with your Wii. |
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