MadWorld Review
Note: Some of the audio may be a little low/rough. Meh. As always, comments, criticisms and/or suggestions are appreciated.
Text Version of Review:
MadWorld
Publisher: Sega
Developer: PlatinumGames
1-2 Players.
ESRB Rating: M for Mature, recommended for ages 17 or older.
Shigenori Nishikawa, who previously worked at Capcom as a planner for multiple games, makes his first debut as a director with MadWorld. With comic book inspired graphics, over-the-top violence and adult comical satire throughout, MadWorld aims to be a unique experience not found anywhere else. If one can look past some of it's problems, there's an enjoyable game to be found.
On Jefferson Island, a terrorist group known as the "organizers" have taken over, trapping the residents and cutting off all means of communication to anyone outside the island. With no chance of escape, citizens are forced to compete in the violent and deadly sport called DeathWatch or risk dying without a chance. While these people fight to the death, the audience places bets on who will win. Each kill earns a number of points for the participants. The winner of the games will obtain fame, fortune, and the right to continue living. On the third night of the games, a new challenger appears to compete, and his name is Jack.
Players take on the role of Jack Cayman, a highly skilled ex-marine whose main weapon is a chainsaw attached to his right arm. Jack starts off in Varrigan City and progresses elsewhere once he's defeated each boss in every area. Players will always have two lives at the beginning of each area and if they die they can choose to continue right from the spot they were killed at. If players run out of lives, they will have to restart from the beginning of the area. In order to face each area's boss, players will have to earn enough points to open up the boss challenge. Meanwhile, they will unlock new weapons and also open Bloodbath challenges. Bloodbath challenges are short, timed trials where players will defeat as many enemies as they can using new environmental objects presented to them.
The game really uses the motion control functions of the Wii, but not so much that it becomes bothersome. Basic attacks don't require much emphasis with the controller, and it makes sense to require more force when quick time events occur. Overall, the controls feel nicely balanced out.
There are a few issues with the game. For starters, the game relies heavily on canned animations, most executions for enemies will be performed exactly the same way for other types of enemies. The announcers, who provide comical commentary throughout the game, can get really repetitive and this is especially apparent during Bloodbath challenges. The default audio settings are also not the best, it's hard to hear the announcers with the music and sound effects being just as loud. The game itself can also become a little mundane, but this is usually broken up with new segments like areas that require a bike [motorcycle] to traverse forward. It would have been nice to have some more variety for executions, such as having more weapons available or more stylistic finishers.
MadWorld has a comic book inspired art style, using black and white tones throughout the game. Some sound effects appear on screen as text and comic book panels are used in cut scenes. There's enough contrast between the colors to make it easy on the eyes. The soundtrack for MadWorld is completely original, consisting of hip-hop beats and lyrical forms. The music really fits the atmosphere and presentation of the game.
MadWorld is relatively short, but it flows well and it's pretty entertaining in it's entirety. Although there are some issues that almost make the game unenjoyable, there's enough substance to keep it from falling too short in it's offerings. As the first game to be directed by Nishikawa-san, this is certainly not a bad start. For Wii owners who are interested in mature-themed games, MadWorld is definitely worth checking out.
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