This game is absolutely awesome. I know at first glance it looks like something for the kiddies but trust me, give it a chance. I haven’t purchased it but that’s only because I’m on an all entertainment purchase freeze. I did however rent this game for about 10 days straight. It was worth every penny even for the overpriced rental fees.
If I had to categorize this one I would call it an action puzzle game. There are some many different ways to play it, it’s hard to describe it as a game in whole. The way it was advertised and reviewed, the object is to use it’s brilliantly tuned throwing mechanic to knock down blox to achieve objectives such as destroying a tower, knocking off only certain pieces, or in a free for all sort of hit the point blox. However there is so much more to it.
There are few games out there that my wife and I can play together and be on even footing. Infact it’s so bad that she won’t even play Mario Kart with me anymore because I always win. With this game the playing field is totally level. Our favorite way to face off is with the Jenga like mode where you pull out blocks trying not to knock over the whole tower. You never know who’s going to win going into a match. Infact just last night on the first pull I confidently removed a block only to have the entire tower unexpectly sway over and tumble on me. One block and I lost the entire match. Even though I won most of the other rounds, I was never able to catch up to her in points.
Also, if you don’t feel like being competitive, there is also a co-op mode where you work together to rack up points by taking turns removing blocks. You find yourself cheering for your partner as their success is your success. Not only that but muliplayer offers so many different modes, such as Jenga like play, shooting, throwing, and even a mode where you destroy each other’s blox forts. There are so many different ways to play and so many random events that can happen that playing the same levels over and over again is as fun as the first time you play.
The single player mode offers even more variety to it along with a cutesy story mode. The story isn’t all that enthralling and the animations seem to get in the way at times, however they were easily skipped over. Some of them were interesting to watch where others I found myself skipping through them to get to the next level faster. Upon completion of the storymode, a challenge mode unlocks getting you to put your skills to the test as the difficulty level increases dramatically with each stage.
Warning, this game is highly addictive and when played may draw you in for hours at a time. I’ve spent over an hour trying to complete one stage. Some stages have a sweet spot where you have limited throws to destroy a tower, or similar type of objective where things unfold differently each time. You can spend hours looking for that sweet spot, not even caring that you’re playing the same level over and over again. Once you hit it and pass that level, you are rewarded with another, even more challenging level.
This game is so much fun I even attempted to purchase it from my video rental store. Mostly because I didn’t want to pay full price for a new copy but someday once we’re moved I may just have to. I only wish I didn’t have to return it tonight or else I would probably be playing it right now. If you own a Wii, by all means, get your hands on this game.
