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Thursday, 19 April 2007

Wing Island (Wii)

Rated: 7+

Gameplay: You're a bird who flies aeroplanes(!?). Carry out missions such as delivering cargo, popping balloons, putting out fires and locating lost cows. Fly solo or in formation with four wingmen (wingbirds?).

Save System: Save after each short mission.

Comments: OK, let's get this straight, motion-sensing should make controlling a game seem more natural and add to immersion. Having to shake the wiimote in a certain direction in order to change formation in a flight game is no more natural than pressing a button but involves more effort and is much more likely to go wrong. Having to press a button AND shake the wiimote in a certain direction in order to change formation is just stupid.

The whole thing, from the presentation, to the gameplay and graphics, is strangely reminiscent of an early PS2 game with better anti-aliasing. Maybe it's just the familiar feeling of wishing there was something decent to play on a new console.

Conclusion: Trying to achieve anything involves a constant battle with the controls, especially when formation flying. The cut-scenes make those in Red Steel seem worthwhile. If this were a PS2 game, it would be obscure and straight-to-budget. Sadly, it might also be more fun to play.

Length: Short.

Graphics: Basic.

Rating: 2/5

Labels: computer game review, wii