Stage 1: Impressions |
Stage 2: Analysis |
Stage 3: Evaluation |
After days of training and multiplayer gaming, Smooth Moves thus far features the most widely-ranged control scheme of any previous WarioWare game. It also proves to be one of the most challenging for newcomers.
Without a doubt, hardcore gamers are at a huge advantage over the average casual gamer. Hardcore gamers generally have faster reflexes and can understand on-screen commands more quickly than the casual gamer. Learning 200 games in a matter of days would be difficult for most any Wii Sports player.
WarioWare veterans may find the challenges too easy, while the casual gamer may develop a sense of frustration because Smooth Moves needs a good deal of dedication to beat each challenge. Players need to defeat several stages to find every single control style in multiplayer, which could put a burden on learning at parties or when inviting new friends over to play.
To further the frustration, whether too easy or too difficult, controls can make or break a multiplayer experience. The Wii Remote has proven to fail on a few occasions at no fault of the player. This disturbing problem stems from the wide variety of motions the controller must recognize. Though it may feel as if the sensor bar is in the perfect position for nearly all microgames, there will always be one or two games that aren't aligned to where the pointer should be.
After nearly a week of finding this ideal position, it seems clear that it just doesn't exist. There are a few games that require some extra, unnecessary memorization to squat low or to aim high. While positions for The Waiter, Remote Control, The Big Cheese and The Chauffeur seem flawless, players may not be positioned correctly when The Samurai starts. It could take several swipes for the game to recognize where it's supposed to be, and even then it may not be done in time.
If may be hard to tell at times if the controller is at fault, or
if your body just isn't meant to bend that way.
My personal favorite game is the boss dance routine. With three players in front of you, your object is to perform every single move and motion by imitating the others. While YouTube and other media outlets broadcasted this under the assumption that only three movements are necessary for the entire microgame, every single motion seen on the screen is required to beat the stage. Twirling, twisting, spinning and leaning must be performed as precisely as possible. Sitting back and watching the animation is not an option.
For these reasons, the single-player experience is one of the most engaging and exhilarating experiences for the Wii Remote. If players are looking for a great multiplayer, you may want to ensure your friends have played the game for enough hours before attempting such. That, or buy WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$ for the GameCube (it will work on the Wii with a GameCube controller).
If you're not convinced about the multiplayer experience, here's an example: one of the games requires you to literally drop the controller out of your hand. Without the Wii Remote's wrist strap, your controller is going to crash to the floor and may permanently malfunction. Why, then, would you risk throwing the controller to the next player, in a room of 12 players (maximum allowed in multiplayer), with a $40 device? Not only is 12 a ridiculous number of people to have around the couch, but dangerous for the controller to be passed around at such fast speeds.
Wario may be trying to break your merchandise,
but he's still lovable.
Now to be fair, there are a few games that don't require such mayhem. After unlocking several of the multiplayer games, players can try darts, a nose flight simulator and a crazy two-player running game. These are extremely fun - particularly darts - and require no fast-action passing. In fact, these feel more like Wii Sports titles than they do WarioWare, minus flying the noses. Still, it's not the WarioWare experience the avid fan may want to play. Even Wii Sports had separate controllers for bowling, so why not have the option for darts?
Can Smooth Moves prove to be one of the best Wii games to date? Stay tuned for The Wiire's conclusion and grade.
Stage 1: Impressions |
Stage 2: Analysis |
Stage 3: Evaluation |
