Wreckateer Review
The Good:
Very simple controls, easy to handle and fun to do.The Bad:
Kinect only title, so if you don't have the room to play then you will struggle.STORY In Wreckateer you play as the new ‘rock polisher’ testing out a couple of new prototype weapons for the demolishing team. However, due to how skillful you are at using these prototypes, they decide to put you on the Wreckateer team and get you to help with the clear out of Goblin infestations they [...]
In Wreckateer you play as the new ‘rock polisher’ testing out a couple of new prototype weapons for the demolishing team. However, due to how skillful you are at using these prototypes, they decide to put you on the Wreckateer team and get you to help with the clear out of Goblin infestations they have in certain areas of the Kingdom. This will involve using the standard shots and any new prototypes that they will be getting you to test out for them.
GRAPHICS
I have to say, for an arcade Kinect title, I’m impressed. Your tutorial characters, who stick with you for the game, are very well animated and aren’t there to get on your nerves. But the main focus is on the environment, your target and it’s surroundings. The main castles that you aim at, aren’t just a brick wall, on most of the levels (after the tutorial ones) Goblins will inhabit them and some will be walking across the front of the castle, some mocking you through windows or even the one tied to a hot air balloon. Sure it’s nothing massive, but it adds to the beauty of detail we all love and need in our games.
It’s not just the foreground that you need to pay attention to, the surroundings of each level is very well done as well. Waterfalls in the distance, or a nice lake with mountains in the background. It adds to the feel that we are in Medieval times and we really are aiming at a hidden fortress in a valley. I’ve always said that graphics aren’t important, but when a game like this is released, it does need something to separate itself from the many hand held versions of this style we have had already, and in my eyes. It does just that.
GAMEPLAY
Use your body to line up shots
On paper reading up on how this game works, I wouldn’t be surprised if you thought this was just a more high definition re-make of Angry Birds (since that game sets the standard for these kind of games for some reason). And I suppose, in a way you would be right. Your main aim in the game is to aim a catapult and destroy the towers that your enemies are hiding in. But, Wreckateer brings a certain element that other games do not. The ability to alter your shots direction (via Kinect), after you have aimed and fired against a target, you can manipulate your cannon ball to the left, right, up or down by ‘hitting it’ with your hands. There more (hopefully) making your shot alot more accurate than just shooting and hoping.
The aiming, firing and movement of the shot are all down to yourself via the Kinect. You grab hold of the balista and step either to the left or right, moving your hands up or down depending on where you want the shot to go. Once you have selected your target, open your arms to either side to let your shot go. Once it is in the sky, then you can manipulate the shot by pushing the cannon ball with your hands.
Each level has a certain score you can aim for, these scores will earn you the bronze, silver or gold medal. You earn the score by destroying towers in the level, however you also get certain bonuses for hitting weak spots, enemies, completely missing (yes there’s a bonus for that) as well as numerous other bonuses, all of these contribute nicely to your score giving you a nice push towards the Gold medal towards each level. So sometimes, it’s not just aim at the tower to finish the level as quickly as possible, sometimes if you take your time, think about where you can aim, you could get a much higher score (and a higher medal) then if you just went for the quick route.
As you may guess, being a Kinect title, you play the game as your Xbox 360 avatar, during the game you can earn points towards your Fame meter. You fill your Fame Meter by completing certain tasks throughout the game. Reaching certain levels of fame unlock new costumes and tricks for you to play with during the wrecking. All of this gives you more and more reason to go back and try and get the highest scores you can possibly get.
The Prototype they ask you to test out
AUDIO
When I first found out that the two tutorial characters would be following me around for the game, I instantly thought that these guys would be really annoying and not shut up. However though, they do only speak when something new is introduced, if you miss a shot or do an amazing one. And to be honest, they really wasn’t that annoying.
You have all the sounds you would expect from demolishing buildings, the impact of the balls, the falling and crushing of the debris onto the floor and other walls, it sounds almost perfect. But if it’s anything that makes the setting of this game, it’s the background audio. Now you can tell that the game is set in a medieval kind of era, but you need the right music to set the atmosphere for it. Wreckateer has that music. It’s not too loud or so quiet that you can barely hear it and it defines the era perfectly. I think that if you just listened to the music, you would be able to tell what time the game is supposed to be set in.
REPLAY VALUE
Once you have beaten all the towns, then you can go back and try to get a gold medal on all the levels. Got that? Then you can try and get the highest score possible by beating ‘Wrecking’ at his own game. He has a high score posted on every level and you aim is to beat it. Like I mentioned earlier, there is also the fame meter to try and fill for your avatar. Get him or her to be the most well known wreckateer in the kingdom! There is plenty of reason to keep coming back to this game, and I think I will continue to do so.
CLOSING VERDICT
A very nice surprise for myself as I went into this game and expected just a much prettier version of Angry Birds. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Sure this game has the same ideas of Angry Birds, but it is done differently and with that, they have done it better. If you do happen to own a Kinect and you loved the Angry Birds style, I highly recommend you at least give this one a shot and see if you think it’s worth a gold medal (see what I did there).
Wreckateer Review,
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