MadWorld (Wii) Review
MadWorld has seen a lot of press, even negative, for a pair of obvious reasons. The title – along with Sega’s other recent offerings – is one of a few Mature-rated titles to grace the Wii console this year. Following that, the frothing collection of hardcore Wii owners have long held out for a title to show them that they are still loved. MadWorld’s graphical presentation, soundtrack, and early videos hyped the brawler’s release to a fever pitch up until the chainsaw wielding protagonist was placed on retail shelves. But how does it hold up?
Get Into The Game
MadWorld is the definition of a front loaded game. The majority of the title’s gore-filled gameplay is introduced in the tutorial. The quick, yet descriptive introduction is explained via a playground area that Jack is placed in before the first level truly begins. The session sets up what the protagonist and his chainsaw can do, what’s expected of them, and outlines the first inklings of the story. Given the setup, my initial impression was that this game was going to be incredibly repetitive, with little in the way of originality past the tutorial. That impression was accurate, to a point. Had this review been written based on that early impression it would have been from a drastically different angle.
Yes, 90% of the gameplay is shown off in the tutorial, but those mechanics are an ends to a means. The core component of the brutal title resides in the clever level design that enables all the mayhem to ensue, and the collection of boss fights. On the flip side, the story – there is a story – is almost the reverse scenario. The designers at Platinum Games tickle you early on with the chance that there may be a purpose to all the bloodshed. So much bloodshed. After the first outing, the developer continues to drop more and more information on Jack’s purpose. As the Death Watch games and our avatar’s dismemberment count roll forward, we are tossed into a twisting story about humanity and its general state of chaos. Believe it or not, the story is actually entertaining, even if it isn’t the most original.
More Than Gore
Repetitive gameplay and interesting boss battle aren’t the only features MadWorld has to offer starving hardcore gamers. The beat ‘em up title’s single greatest asset has to be its audio component. Platinum Games has crafted a rare breed of an audio pairing thanks to the humorous overtures of the Death Watch announcers and the game’s hip hop soundtrack. The announcers quips are hilarious and topical. The comments play off the parade of death animations Jack dishes out to anyone stupid enough to come within arms reach, drugs, and even the scary three letter word, sex. In the background, gamers ears will be treated to the best original music of any Wii title to date.
Unfortunately, MadWorld does not diversify itself from its genre’s shortcomings. Like most brawlers, the repetitive nature of the fisticuffs hampers the title. And that isn’t even the biggest offender. MadWorld’s main shortcoming is the incredibly short campaign for a $49.99 MSRP title. Without trying too hard, gamers can probably dispatch the story in under five hours. And that is if you die a lot. The campaign is certainly short, but brawlers are often designed with replayability in mind. Platinum has added reason to return to the story such as unlockable weapons, difficulties and a high score system. However, the limited dialogue choices of the broadcasters make their humor a fleeting experience when run through the second time. Playing on hard mode will extend the title – especially with the new toys – but players won’t have the humor that makes the first play through so enjoyable. Oh, and be sure to stick around for the credits, freaking hilarious.
MadWorld is a game that presents itself as art, mature-rated, blood-filled, swear-dropping, kill-rewarding, murderous art. Okay, fine. Perhaps the art is just in the Sin City-inspired, cel-shaded, black-and-white visuals. The game is far better labeled as a hardcore beat ‘em up starring a chainsaw wielding mad man than art. But Platinum Games wasn’t trying to create a title to shove in Ebert’s face. The developer set out to create an entertaining guilty pleasure, and that is exactly what we got. Sadly, the title’s most defining feature does take some time to get used to, and even when one’s eyes settle in to the peculiar presentation, it can still be jarring at times.
MadWorld isn’t the deepest title of the current generation. Rather, it is the video game equivalent of a popcorn action flick like True Lies or a B-grade horror movie such as Evil Dead.
Too bad Sega is ditching the hardcore Wii audience.
Think you’re interested in MadWorld, but don’t have a Wii or can’t find the game? Then you may be interested in Bayonetta, Platinum Games’ upcoming (tomorrow!) brawler featuring a sexy librarian!
