Well, say it isn’t so? I let you all down yet again, didn’t I?
So why isn’t this going to be a video review like I promised? Well, it’s because of one of two reasons. The first is due to me getting A LOT more games since I’ve first purchased the system, so I have a lot more to cover. The second is due to EVERYBODY already covering the Wii U and it’s launch titles. If I covered these on Day 1, it would be acceptable, but I didn’t and the reception for these games are common knowledge. Don’t worry, however, as I will type out what I have to say about the games I’ve played on Wii U thus far, on the first Text-Only Adam’s Gaming Corner episode (or volume, whatever).
Before we start, this is the new rating system I am going to use.
Games will either ranked as Recommended, For Those Interested, and finally Not Recommended. The front and last should be obvious, the middle basically suggests that this game is for those who are interested in what the game is like. It’s not a full recommendation, but if it’s someone’s cup of tea, he/she may really enjoy it.
Alright, got it? Now, let’s get started!
New Super Mario Bros. U
Why wouldn’t you buy the Mario game? I will admit, the New Super Mario Bros. series may have run it’s course. I think this may be due to it having a very similar style in every last entry in the series. Think about it, all the games look alike, sound alike, and play very much alike. The old-school Mario games weren’t the same way. Take a look at the original three Mario games on NES, or even their SNES remakes. They all look different, have a distinct sound, and multiple radical changes in game play. Each game felt fresh and different, the only one that stayed so similar was what we in the USA call The Lost Levels.
There are several major differences in this game compared to its counter-parts, the major one is the inclusion of HD graphics. I must say, I am proud of Nintendo not going to the extreme with these graphics. I am glad the clothes that Mario and Luigi wear aren’t detailed down to the last stitch. I’m glad that we can’t see excessive detail on the characters faces, mustache hair, and what not. The game, without going as far as possible, looks amazing. It felt really weird seeing it this way for the first time, it was kind of like watching my first Blu-Ray movie.
As to be expected with Mario, the game is solid. This entry is probably my favorite of the series, and was definitely worth playing through.
Ranking: Recommended
Assassin’s Creed III
This series is very popular right now, and I really want to like it. I can definitely see the appeal, and I will admit that this series is a good one, but I think it just isn’t for me. Each time I play Assassin’s Creed III, I can’t help but feel it’s more of a chore. I’m sorry if I am offending any hardcore fans of this series, but I have to be honest here.
Running around towns and landscapes of America during the Revolutionary War is a fun premise, and is probably my favorite part of the game. The graphics look amazing too, and the soundtrack is also phenomenal. That’s really all the positives I have to say about this one.
The missions feel more like chores to me, personally. It really reminds me of how I feel about the Grand Theft Auto series. I really, and by that I mean REALLY, want to get in to both that series and this one, but to beat the game, you have to do this laundry list that consists of “Do this, do that, then do this…” it just isn’t fun to me.
Plus, the glitches are crazy with this one. I never had it affect my game play in a negative way, other than it being a nuisance. I’m sure a patch has come out since I last played this game, however.
Like I said earlier, this game is very popular, and obviously is loved by thousands of people. I’m just not a fan of this type of game, for now at least.
Ranking: For Those Interested
ZombiU
This game was originally going to be called Killer Freaks From Outer Space, and under that title, was my most anticipated game for Wii U. That game was changed into ZombiU, another game thrown on the huge pile of Zombie media that has consumed the industry. It’s almost like a Zombie apocalypse for entertainment. Zombies are everywhere, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Does ZombiU stand out, however.
Yes.
ZombiU is not some bullshit run around and shoot everything kind of game. Despite it being First-Person, ZombiU is actually one of the best Survival Horror games to come out for awhile. This game is not action packed like Call Of Duty. You don’t control an unstoppable bad ass force spouting one-liners. In this game, you’re just a person, a very scared person at that.
Zombies are not so fragile in this game, like they are in Capcom’s Dead Rising series. Taking them down takes time with melee weapons, and shooting them, while quicker, makes you feel like crap because you’re using very valuable resources. One zombie can be a threat in this game, and I love that. When a group of zombies comes after you, you really feel screwed. You have to think your way through, and it isn’t always easy. That’s probably why this game got critically blasted by mainstream critics.
This game has been compared to Red Steel for Wii quite a bit by the mainstream critics. Other than Red Steel being a first person game by Ubisoft released on launch day for a Nintendo system, the differences end. Red Steel was a mediocre game. ZombiU is a great game. It isn’t perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun, and a fun change of pace from the “hold your hand” games that we always see today.
Bottom line, ZombiU is a lot of fun. I love playing it, and it’s definitely a great example of why mainstream critics aren’t always right.
Ranking: Recommended.
Tank! Tank! Tank!
I loved playing Tank! Tank! Tank! at my local arcade, so I was fairly excited to have it on Wii U. Since it’s release, however, this game is another example of being blasted by critics. However, unlike ZombiU, I tend to agree with them.
It’s not that Tank! Tank! Tank! is a bad game. It’s graphics are nice. The game play is fun, simple, and great for pick up and play action, and not to mention, the game has TANKS in it!
The main problem with Tank! Tank! Tank! is the lack of content for such a high cost. This game should not cost $50, or really even be a retail release. A $20 digital version would even be kind of pushing it. For game play so simple, and content so small, Tank! Tank! Tank! would tend to be a disappointment to just about anybody who spent full retail price. I may be an exception to this rule, but I can see why the game gets a bad reputation.
When Tank! Tank! Tank! goes down in price, and trust me it more than likely will. It will definitely be worth picking up around the ten to twenty dollar price range, but for now, at $50, it’s best you say, “No Tanks For Now.”
Ranking: Not Recommended
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
This game is awesome. Like Arkham Asylum before it, Arkham City is consistently fun, addicting, thought-provoking, and filled to the brink with content. The story is long by itself, but the game is also full of side missions, secrets, hidden Ridder trophies, and extra modes such as challenges (Kind of like the Mortal Kombat remake), and Catwoman’s modes.
I also want to say right now, that Catwoman is NOT censored in this game. Sure her armored costume covers the cleavage, but if you go ahead and change it to her original costume, you can enjoy her purr-fect…yeah, you know.
This game is a lot of fun beginning to end, and is probably my most played Wii U title to date. If you already own the PS3/X-Box 360 editions, it may not be worth it, but to anybody who hasn’t played this tremendous game, I highly recommend this edition to the others. Playing with the Wii U pad is very fun, and accessing your gadgets and files is much easier, since you don’t have to constantly pause.
Buy this game!
Ranking: Recommended!
Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed
This game is awesome. Seriously. One of the best racing games I’ve ever played. I almost want to say I like it more than a few of the Mario Kart games.
This game looks great, controls perfect, is full of content, and is a day one budget title at only $40. For $40, this game is more than worth it. I can see myself playing this game years from now.
The only things I hate in this one, are some of the missions that aren’t races. At first, some of these didn’t even work, and I needed to wait for a patch. That was really lame, but since the patch, it’s all good.
I recommend this game to everybody with a Wii U that likes a good racer. This is the perfect game to buy with the system, since it’s fun, time-consuming, has good multi-player both online and off, and easy on the budget.
RANKING: Recommended!
Chasing Aurora
Said to be a successor to the legendary arcade classic Joust, Chasing Aurora is a digital Wii U launch title that I didn’t have a great understanding of until I purchased it.
The trailer shows very little game play and mostly consists of shots of overly happy teenagers playing the game. This commercial is rather perfect for the game, since it hides how poor this game really is.
The game doesn’t suck because of it’s controls, graphics, or music. All of those are actually awesome. The game sucks because it’s a game of “Hide And Seek”, and even with multiple players, just remains kind of boring.
I will admit, I didn’t give this title a lot of attention. It just was a huge disappointment. I wouldn’t buy this one again if I had the chance.
Ranking: Not Recommended.
Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition!
I love this game. Buying it again for Wii U was entirely worth it to me. The 3DS version of Mighty Switch Force had some of the best 3-D effects I had seen on the system. Likewise, the HD version of Mighty Switch Force has some of the best HD effects I’ve seen on the system. It’s 2-D greatness all around. The game is entirely based on mastering one gimmick, but WayForward manages to not let this gimmick get stale at any time throughout the course of your play through.
The music is incredible. I love listening to these tracks when I’m not overly annoyed by the protagonist’s overly enthusiastic voice. It’s so…girly.
This game is a lot of fun, and highly recommended by me. If you hurry up, it’s $6.99 this week, and is totally worth every penny.
Ranking: Recommended!
Nano Assault Neo
This dual-stick space shooter is one of the most fun I’ve played for awhile. You control a ship that hovers across planets somewhat in a similar fashion to Super Mario Galaxy. You move with one analog stick, and shoot with the other, somewhat like Smash T.V. or Total Carnage, if you grew up playing those. It’s easy to understand, but very hard to master, as this game really puts you to the test.
The game’s graphics are phenomenal. It’s like eye candy to me, and just makes me so excited to hopefully someday play a Super Mario Galaxy HD edition.
The music is also really catchy and fun to listen to, but not entirely memorable either. The tracks aren’t going to stick in your head, is what I’m getting at.
I think for $10, you can do a lot worse than Nano Assault Neo. It’s one of the best digital only games for Wii U thus far.
RANKING: Recommended!
Well, that’s it for now! I will be reviewing more Wii U games soon, and video reviews will be coming back as soon as I get over this flu bug my family and I are currently going through. Thanks for reading this, and for supporting the site. Please leave a comment below!
Take care,
-Adam
