Vendetta

It's strange that this would surface from a CSR, and not a more authoritative source. I know they're trained to follow protocol, but still. I won't be surprised when a more official statement is released to walk this one back a bit.

Looks ummmmm.... colorful. But I guess that's Wonderland for ya! Color me interested.

I'm not too disappointed, mostly because this game never really interested me to begin with. It just looked too chaotic and I prefer WiiWare titles that are more chill for when I'm in that don't-feel-like-swappin-discs, loungin' kinda mood. EDIT: Forgot to mention - nice review Sean, as always though.

The only thing that's keeping me from being 100% excited about this game is all the negative feedback Red Steel received - mostly for the quirky controls.

Looks interesting, any word on a release date?

This and three additional M+ on day one, period. Terrific review, Corbie.

@Dazza: Thanks for clearing that up. There were more than a few people wondering why the review was so delayed (relative to the US release). I trust all is well with the individual who was set to review it originally?

That's fine, KrazyKain, but they have US-based reviewers also. For a game as hotly anticipated as this one, I'm a bit surprised that NINTENDO Life didn't allow one of them to do it in order to stay relevant to people seeking reviews early on.

@pixelman: Reading that actually reinforces my opinion of the game and the score I feel it deserves. I may be an exception here in that the Wii is my only console - my expectations are utterly objective in that they were not influenced by any meaningful experience with another system. I'm extremely satisfied with this game, which, in my opinion, offered no blatant letdowns to the detriment of its overall quality and enjoyment. It should go without saying (but never does) that your mileage may vary. Cheers all. -V

I think for as long as it took for this review to come out, it could have been a bit more thorough. You guys are excellent at your craft, but come on... a game that takes "6 to 7 hours to finish" if you take your time, even, should not have taken this long to critique.
I think The Conduit deserves a higher score than it received here, if you consider it for what it is, and don't compare it to FPS on other systems. For the Wii, it's an excellent FPS, with almost 100% control customization, excellent graphics considering, good lighting effects (see ASE illumination on objects).
The Wii is my only console, and because my expectations are not influenced by other consoles' offerings, this game delivered to me exactly what was promised. I'd give it a higher score, personally.

They mentioned exploring the different control schemes offered by the Wii remote, if I recall correctly. Well they've used rolling the control (Beat) and D-pad and buttons (Core) but they've not done any real motion or swing controls yet. The MOVETOTHEBEAT command makes me think it's going to have something to do with well... you know, moving to the beat. I'd buy it.

Congrats and good job on your first review, Chicken. Too bad it was on such a clunker. Tell us honestly, did Corbie lobby for an extra star for their drawing eyeballs on the tanks?

Rambo, Secret Command, WHATEVER it's called - I loved that game and will buy it INSTANTLY just for the nostalgia factor alone! I'm sooooo happy they finally released it here in NA. I was concerned it was going to drad on and on.

I know I'm late to the party here, but I just wanted to tip my hat to Chicken Brutus for the (intentional!) stealth firstie! Well played, Chicken. EDIT: I'll probably get BitBoy and wait on the Monkey Island review - I haven't paid any attention to that game so far.

@Chicken, LOL, Honestly it was easier than typing "prior to getting it." And when I posted it, it wasn't actually first. I saw like 3 posts by the same member that said "FIRST! and surprising score" or something like that...
Great review - I particularly liked the part about the "most dedicated Wii owners," myself. I'll get this one over Hot Rod Show. After all, how many trucks and cars and bikes can we race? It's time for some chariots!

Jeez, I might actually have to buy this! I'm still glad I waited to read the review first, though.

This seems like less of an interview and more of a disassociative therapy session with these guys. I'm sure it was funny in that I'm-not-so-sure-it-was-funny kind of way. It would have been nice if they hung up the comic relief for a little bit and answered the questions in a way that showed more respect for your time, Corbie. And ours as well.

Any word on if it will use Motion+?

I can't recall a more epic trailer for a Wii game. This is how it's done! And I can't wait to see more from the game itself!

I'll be getting this, but first I've got to finish a few of the other games I've backlogged.
Great review, Sean!

Megaace, I'd probably keep him offline. I doubt there will be many 6 year-olds on there.

Yes, it's Zapper-compatible. I know a lot of people don't like the Zapper, but I dig on having a gun shell for shooters. This game lets you pick a button for each function. I've got A as jump, B as zoom, Z as shoot, and C as item.

Man, I'm so desparate for VCA content that I'm actually considering this. Funny thing is I hated this game in the arcade, I hated this game when it came bundled with the Genesis, and I'm sure I still kinda hate it now.
Where are the quality titles VCA is screaming for?!

2 whole months to liquidate our current Metroid games at GameStop or wherever else!

I would bet a lot of quarters that Over the Top didn't just hear about this AFTER they released it. There's no way contact is initiated, legal claims are drafted, tendered, analyzed, responed, negotiated, and settled in a matter of 5 days. Plus a new name was chosen, art rendered, and communicated to Nintendo (I'm sure they had notice and approved prior to announcing the change, too). Most of this was probably happening in the back channels, but when OtT released it as Icarian, the Ikariam guys probably dropped the hammer hard and OtT took the path of least expense. Can't say I blame them, honestly. I'll happily buy Icari... I mean NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits anyway.

If it's not a product, it's only a project name and a non-commercial one at that. They could claim I'm an asshat for using such a stupid name, sure. But I don't know if there's legal ground for that. They'd be right though, only an asshat would use that name.

@Djungelurban: Fact is that the name's original rights holder didn't have cause for a legal complaint until Icarian: Kindred Spirits had its commerical launch. Up until that point, it wasn't an actual, and allegedly offending, commercially available product. In other words, the rights holder couldn't claim infringement by a product that wasn't even market available. It's a tough world out there. Imagine being the rights holder to Icarian and seeing someone else using your name. Can't blame them for defending themselves.

People just don't like change. If it were called NyxQuest from day one, there would be those complaining about a change to Icarian. Fact is, the new name makes a lot more sense. Doesn't sound as cool though, I'll give 'em that.

Great review, Corbie. I have to admit, I was in in suspense as to whether the "random" setting in the background music option was enough to get it up to an 8. I'm betting it was close!

I wonder if it's the same hand he broke in his drunk-driving accident. What a tool.

Wow, that looks awful. Almost as bad as how it sounds, even.

Well I'll be downloading this then. My cutoff was a 6.

I still dunno about this "first 100" promo. I see no reason to limit to so few, if at all. It sounds to me like a good way to get tons of people to download it without waiting for the review. That said, I'm hoping for good things with this game.

I can't be the only one that wanted to bowl a game against friends and family over Wi-Fi. Throw in Wii Speak support, and it's the complete package. If they're going to essentially call a mulligan on Wii Sports and re-do it, why would they leave these basics out? This isn't exactly cutting-edge stuff any more, fellas.

"Beat the Box" - a game that trains kids to lie undetectedly so they don't get in trouble for the stuff they do in school. Could backfire on parents though when they ask their kids if they did their homework.

I agree with LinktotheFuture. But Wii Sports was the first game, so I'm not sure if Nintendo's online play infrastructure was fully in place to support it. In that case it wouldn't be a missed opportunity so much as an unexecuted one. For Wii Sports Resort, if they don't include online play (and I'm not expecting them to), then that can only be called an epic missed opportunity. You KNOW this title will sell huge numbers, and getting users online presents Nintendo with a huge upside potential for Wii Shop customers, purchases of additional Wi-Fi supporting games, etc. Who's running product management over there, anyway? :/

Why make it exclusive to the first 100? That's quite a low threshold to entice buyers to whom the soundtrack makes a difference. Some will feel like they're too late to try. Make it 1000, or even go Toki Tori on their ass and release it FREE to anyone.

I don't care actually, as long as I get a copy.

First of all, it'll be a LOT easier for Nintendo to penetrate the Hi-Res/HD space than it will be for Sony and Microsoft to successfully penetrate the motion-control space. If Nintendo goes HD, they may bite into Sony and Microsoft marketshare to a degree. Contrarily, if Sony and Microsoft go motion control, I don't see them winning over many existing Wii owners.

Here's another thing, Sony and Microsoft HAD to demo something as yet unseen by the public, or else they'd be playing a "me too" game more than they already are. But Nintendo could have been (I'd be surprised if they weren't) working on next-gen motion controls like this or perhaps even better for some years now. They just had no compelling reason to tip their hands as to what they're working on because up to this point, they were the only game in town - so to speak, .
-V

This is like an appetizer for Animales de la Muerte.

Well, I laughed my way through the movie (US version, I heard the original was scary as hell), so I'll wait for reviews before getting my hopes up too high.

It's a great WiiWare title, but I'm not sure I'd buy a retail version.
@Darren, what's this "hidden mode" you speak of?

I'm with you, Corbie.

Toddr, I get you... I have an RC also (Belt-CP) and not only is it often too windy to fly it, it's pricey as hell to fix when I crash... which, you know, is inevitable. I got a sick sim called Aerofly Professional Deluxe to "feed the need" though. I'm hoping this game is good enough to warrant the purchase, but even if I get it, I won't take it too seriously.

Bad controls make an otherwise good game bad. I'm glad they're keeping their eyes on the ball.

I hope they get Samuel L. Jackson to do some cameo voicework.

Berzerk + Adventure = Frobot. What's not to love?

As if this game really needed to kick more ass.

Anyone remember Gloop and Gleep from Hanna-Barbera's "Herculoids?"

This game looks good. I like where they're going with it.

I think overall it looks very good, and I love the art style. The only criticism I have, and would love to hear others' opinions on, is that it seems just a little bit unfinished, almost "storyboard-ish," if that makes any sense. I really don't envy any game in this genre having to compete with Lost Winds for fit and finish. But screenshots often don't do justice to live action though, and even as-is, Icarian looks to be plenty more than decent.

Keep up the good work, WiiWareWorld... I mean NintendoLife. It's good to know you can be counted on for quality updates, even if the WiiWare service itself offers an occasional disappointment. Like, oh, say... yesterday. Or ummmmm... last week. And, for instance, the week before that... Oh whatever, Happy Birthday, WiiWare.