Post by Merlin on Apr 4, 2009 3:13:15 GMT -5
Before I begin my review, I am going to ask you two questions.
Question 1) Does the picture below make you uncomfortable?
Question 2) Does the picture below make you uncomfortable?
If you answered yes to either or both, you're not alone. There are plenty of arachnophobes in the world, and I happen to fear spiders greatly. So let's go through this together! Bring a can of Raid.
How pitiful! You soulless creatures!
It was on the eve of March 8, 2008. I was in a Hollywood Video/GameCrazy establishment in Reno, Nevada, where my good friend Scott works. While Scott was working that night and I just loitered, we couldn't wait to snatch our copies of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. That's right: it was a midnight launch. During the seemingly forever wait (I arrived there at around 10 PM, and waited there the whole time), I received a phone call from my other good friend, Collin. We talked, as we usually do, and eventually he brought up the subject of Nintendo Power. More specifically, he brought up a then recently announced game exclusive to the Wii: Deadly Creatures.
Since Collin knew I fear spiders, he sarcastically said that it was a game for me. I didn't know of the game at the time, and it wasn't until I read the Nintendo Power article for myself. Collin said that the tarantulas looked especially gnarly. After reading the article for myself, I agreed: the spiders look freakin' nasty! Yet, for some reason this game intrigued me. My interest peaked when I read an article that an idea behind the making of this game was allowing the players to play their own fears. I've been a lifelong spiderphobe, so I think that the concept of playing as a tarantula, as well as a scorpion, is a good.
Story:
The story in this game is very minimal. The only real story shared between the tarantula and the scorpion is animosity: at the beginning of the game, and throughout the adventure, the two arthropods stalk each other and attempt to kill one another. Ironically, they help each other in a few times, though unknowingly. The more in-depth story lies on two characters that aren't even the protagonists: they are two human characters named George Struggs and Wade (voiced by Dennis Hopper and Billy Bob Thornton, respectively), and they spend the majority of the game searching for buried treasure. The story is barely brushed in this game, though, and getting the "full story" requires watching Dennis Hopper's interview.
Though many criticize this aspect and long for the story to be heavier, I personally don't really find fault with this. This is because the tarantula and the scorpion literally happen on the humans by accident; there's a few cutscenes where they literally stumbled onto them by surprise and simply watch. It's like if you're walking down the street, and you see a schizophrenia-ridden homeless man talking to himself. You obviously see him and hear him, but you don't know the full story because you just encountered him by chance. That's why I don't think this game really requires a heavy story, but what story there is happens to be engaging. Besides, the scorpion and the tarantula trying to kill each other is story enough for arthropod lovers.
"Hey, get off my lawn! Damn A-list actors."
Worth noting is the fact that you do not combat a human until the very end of the game. I personally would have liked to see at least one more boss fight with a human, but it's not really a legitimate complaint. The majority of the game consists of deadly creatures, after all!
One thing about the story that really is weak, however, is the ending. It's over way too quickly, and the rendering is horribly compressed. It has a very rushed feel that hurts more than it helps.
Gameplay:
The two leading arthropods are distinctively different characters, beyond the obvious differences in appearance. The tarantula is more of a stealth-centered, agile character. It is not as physically strong as the scorpion, yet it can jump, eventually climb up ceilings and walls, and overall dodge attacks and sneak in some sucker punches. The scorpion is far less agile, but it is a brutal warrior: it can ram into deadly creatures, sting them, use his pincers, and block most attacks, a defense mechanism that the tarantula lacks.
You play as both arthropods evenly; there are ten chapters, and the tarantula is the playable character during the odd numbered levels, while the scorpion claims the even. The game is for the most part very linear, but there is some small room for going back to previously played stages to obtain grubs and green grasshoppers. While there are grubs and grasshoppers you'll encounter and snatch as you progress, there are still many that are hidden. There are 450 grubs in the game, and collecting them unlocks bonus features that can be viewed through the main menu. The green grasshoppers increase your health, but also serve as collectibles. This game therefore satisfies both the roadrunner that wants to speed through the game, as well as the careful collector that wants to search every last inch to get everything.
Defeating enemies gives you points, which in turn unlock special moves for the playable characters. This is good, because having a wide array of offensive attacks makes combat easier. Also, there are many blockades that can only be crossed when you have a certain ability. The tarantula can eventually shoot web and swing from cobweb to cobweb (an exaggeration from real life), while the scorpion can use his pincers to cut through thick weeds and grass.
A challenger approaches!
Thankfully, combat focuses more on pressing the A button rather than swinging the Wii Remote all the time. With that said, moving the Remote in certain directions while pressing the A button in certain ways result in different attacks and moves that the scorpion and the tarantula can pull off. For example, simply swaying the Wii Remote without pressing the A button will make the tarantula launch in a spinning attack, while pressing and holding the B button get the scorpion to ready its stinger, and quickly striking the Wii Remote downward while releasing the B button will result with a... well, sting.
Although the tarantula is more versatile of a character because of the many winding, twisty paths it walks through, the scorpion is also a very fun character, because it has finishing moves. When you fight enemies until they are weak enough, you can press the C button after approaching them, which launches a finishing move. The finishing moves are often very violent, and those who fear scorpions could definitely get squeamish watching them. As a matter of fact, even though this game is rated T, it's still very violent and disturbing, so I wouldn't recommend getting this game for some toddlers. That is, unless they're into that sort of thing.
Some of the finishing moves are particularly gruesome.
The boss fights in this game are phenomenal. Not only are they intense, but they are always very cinematic. The first boss you fight is a rattlesnake that also happens to be a recurring antagonist. The tarantula and the rattlesnake's quarrel looks like a monster clash, akin to Godzilla vs. King Kong. It's that cinematic.
The majority of the bosses are of course much bigger than the arthropods, so they have to usually find different means of killing their enemies, or otherwise simply fleeing. Many of the bosses utilize timed-sequence button pressing, which gives a Dragon's Lair-esque feel. The boss fights are really cool, and it's a shame that they're actually a rarity. The game simply needed more thrilling boss fights.
Little Known Fact: The kite that Benjamin Franklin used was actually an unwilling tarantula. The location was also a desert near a run-down gas station.
The only gripe I have about the gameplay is that the game has some... bugs, and I mean technical bugs. There were a few occasions where I inexplicably fell off a path as the tarantula, which was frustrating. Also, there was a situation where I, as the scorpion, was stuck completely, and the only way I got out was to have my scorpion do the charge attack. Getting stuck should never have to happen in a game.
Although combat takes some getting used to, it all works out in the end. The game could use more boss fights, and there are some glitches that unfortunately bring the rating down to a 7, but overall the gameplay is solid and fun.
Characters:
I already explained the tarantula and the scorpion, but I'll say one more thing about them. Deadly Creatures is the first game in all my life that had a protagonist that made me squeamish. The tarantula is dogface ugly. UGLY[/b]. Granted, I do fear spiders and am therefore biased, but holy smokes! Just look at this!
Vile! These are definitely not snuggly, cutsey video game protagonists. I don't think there has ever been such ugly heroes in a game as these buggers.
The enemies are similarly grotesque in appearance. There are many: the wolf spider, different kinds of tarantulas and scorpions, the praying mantis, a pot-bellied man voiced by Dennis Hopper, rats, geckos and lizards, rattlers... there are many foes to encounter, and they all serve their purposes perfectly. The human characters provide comic relief to an otherwise grisly, dark journey.
Graphics & Presentation:
It's public knowledge that the Wii does not by any stretch of the imagination possess the graphical prowess of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. With that said, Deadly Creatures is one of the best looking Wii games available now. Of course, it's not bright and colorful like Super Mario Galaxy. This game is somewhat monochrome, with a dark, moody and atmospheric presentation. The lighting is excellent, and the atmosphere is unsettling. In fact, one scene consists of a doll head with an eye that opens up. Creepy indeed!
The arthropods and other enemies look fantastic, and can definitely induce heebie jeebies. The human characters aren't as detailed, but they do animate well. There's one scene where the tarantula crawls on the shoe of Wade and, good lord, did it give me shivers.
"GERONIMOOOOOOOOO!"
Unfortunately, the great graphics comes at a price: the frame rate is an issue with this game. When there are numerous characters on screen, the game chugs noticeably. While the frame rate never gets to the point where it's like a virtual slide show, it still distracts from an otherwise awesome presentation.
There are also some really ugly textures late in the game. There are some rocks that have textures that are very pixelated, but also hideously blocky. They look like textures that haven't been finished. What the heck is up with that?
On a final note regarding the presentation, this game has the creepiest main menu of any Wii game, hands down. The main menu is actually simple, but pre-rendered video clips play behind the text. These video clips include various deadly creatures walking by, or even examining, the screen. Watching extreme closeups of a praying mantis is cool, but watching extreme closeups of spiders eying the screen... shudder.
Music and Audio:
As previously mentioned, the two human characters are voiced by Dennis Hopper and Billy Bob Thornton. While getting A-list actors to voice these characters was really not necessary, they do take their roles seriously. They provide humor and, in the case of Struggs alone, a final boss fight. Two of the extra features are interviews with Hopper and Thornton, and it's clear that they really enjoyed voicing their parts, particularly Thornton, who admits having a fascination with snakes, and tells a very humorous tale about a pet snake he once had.
Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Hopper. And, no, they are not the titular Deadly Creatures.
Music is equally great. They are always atmospheric and dark, but they can also be orchestral. The music that accompanies the boss fights between the tarantula and the rattlesnake in particular is thrilling and bombastic, with horn-dominant stings that furthers the "clash of the giant monsters in the form of critters smaller than humans" feel.
Besides exaggerated moves and abilities, there are also larger-than-life sound effects: many of the deadly creatures have roars or piercing hisses, some of which are biologically impossible for their respective species. This was apparently by choice, as the game creators wanted to give a larger-than-life experience. They accomplished that, and the audio is perfect all around.
In Conclusion:
Deadly Creatures is a brief game. Although there are 450+ items to collect, the actual game is over in less than ten hours. Each chapter takes less than an hour, and there's only ten of them. The only reason to come back is to collect what you couldn't obtain earlier, but other than that there really is no reason to play again. Still, the game is short yet sweet, and I had a great time playing it. Deadly Creatures is a good game to purchase if the price is right, but if not it makes for an ideal rental. Speaking as an arachnophobic, I can safely say that I was interested in playing this game, and it turned out to be a chilling, eerie experience.
Story - 7
Gameplay - 7
Characters - 10
Graphics & Presentation - 8
Music & Audio - 10
Total Rating: 42/50[/size]
Question 1) Does the picture below make you uncomfortable?
Question 2) Does the picture below make you uncomfortable?
If you answered yes to either or both, you're not alone. There are plenty of arachnophobes in the world, and I happen to fear spiders greatly. So let's go through this together! Bring a can of Raid.
How pitiful! You soulless creatures!
It was on the eve of March 8, 2008. I was in a Hollywood Video/GameCrazy establishment in Reno, Nevada, where my good friend Scott works. While Scott was working that night and I just loitered, we couldn't wait to snatch our copies of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. That's right: it was a midnight launch. During the seemingly forever wait (I arrived there at around 10 PM, and waited there the whole time), I received a phone call from my other good friend, Collin. We talked, as we usually do, and eventually he brought up the subject of Nintendo Power. More specifically, he brought up a then recently announced game exclusive to the Wii: Deadly Creatures.
Since Collin knew I fear spiders, he sarcastically said that it was a game for me. I didn't know of the game at the time, and it wasn't until I read the Nintendo Power article for myself. Collin said that the tarantulas looked especially gnarly. After reading the article for myself, I agreed: the spiders look freakin' nasty! Yet, for some reason this game intrigued me. My interest peaked when I read an article that an idea behind the making of this game was allowing the players to play their own fears. I've been a lifelong spiderphobe, so I think that the concept of playing as a tarantula, as well as a scorpion, is a good.
Story:
The story in this game is very minimal. The only real story shared between the tarantula and the scorpion is animosity: at the beginning of the game, and throughout the adventure, the two arthropods stalk each other and attempt to kill one another. Ironically, they help each other in a few times, though unknowingly. The more in-depth story lies on two characters that aren't even the protagonists: they are two human characters named George Struggs and Wade (voiced by Dennis Hopper and Billy Bob Thornton, respectively), and they spend the majority of the game searching for buried treasure. The story is barely brushed in this game, though, and getting the "full story" requires watching Dennis Hopper's interview.
Though many criticize this aspect and long for the story to be heavier, I personally don't really find fault with this. This is because the tarantula and the scorpion literally happen on the humans by accident; there's a few cutscenes where they literally stumbled onto them by surprise and simply watch. It's like if you're walking down the street, and you see a schizophrenia-ridden homeless man talking to himself. You obviously see him and hear him, but you don't know the full story because you just encountered him by chance. That's why I don't think this game really requires a heavy story, but what story there is happens to be engaging. Besides, the scorpion and the tarantula trying to kill each other is story enough for arthropod lovers.
"Hey, get off my lawn! Damn A-list actors."
Worth noting is the fact that you do not combat a human until the very end of the game. I personally would have liked to see at least one more boss fight with a human, but it's not really a legitimate complaint. The majority of the game consists of deadly creatures, after all!
One thing about the story that really is weak, however, is the ending. It's over way too quickly, and the rendering is horribly compressed. It has a very rushed feel that hurts more than it helps.
Gameplay:
The two leading arthropods are distinctively different characters, beyond the obvious differences in appearance. The tarantula is more of a stealth-centered, agile character. It is not as physically strong as the scorpion, yet it can jump, eventually climb up ceilings and walls, and overall dodge attacks and sneak in some sucker punches. The scorpion is far less agile, but it is a brutal warrior: it can ram into deadly creatures, sting them, use his pincers, and block most attacks, a defense mechanism that the tarantula lacks.
You play as both arthropods evenly; there are ten chapters, and the tarantula is the playable character during the odd numbered levels, while the scorpion claims the even. The game is for the most part very linear, but there is some small room for going back to previously played stages to obtain grubs and green grasshoppers. While there are grubs and grasshoppers you'll encounter and snatch as you progress, there are still many that are hidden. There are 450 grubs in the game, and collecting them unlocks bonus features that can be viewed through the main menu. The green grasshoppers increase your health, but also serve as collectibles. This game therefore satisfies both the roadrunner that wants to speed through the game, as well as the careful collector that wants to search every last inch to get everything.
Defeating enemies gives you points, which in turn unlock special moves for the playable characters. This is good, because having a wide array of offensive attacks makes combat easier. Also, there are many blockades that can only be crossed when you have a certain ability. The tarantula can eventually shoot web and swing from cobweb to cobweb (an exaggeration from real life), while the scorpion can use his pincers to cut through thick weeds and grass.
A challenger approaches!
Thankfully, combat focuses more on pressing the A button rather than swinging the Wii Remote all the time. With that said, moving the Remote in certain directions while pressing the A button in certain ways result in different attacks and moves that the scorpion and the tarantula can pull off. For example, simply swaying the Wii Remote without pressing the A button will make the tarantula launch in a spinning attack, while pressing and holding the B button get the scorpion to ready its stinger, and quickly striking the Wii Remote downward while releasing the B button will result with a... well, sting.
Although the tarantula is more versatile of a character because of the many winding, twisty paths it walks through, the scorpion is also a very fun character, because it has finishing moves. When you fight enemies until they are weak enough, you can press the C button after approaching them, which launches a finishing move. The finishing moves are often very violent, and those who fear scorpions could definitely get squeamish watching them. As a matter of fact, even though this game is rated T, it's still very violent and disturbing, so I wouldn't recommend getting this game for some toddlers. That is, unless they're into that sort of thing.
Some of the finishing moves are particularly gruesome.
The boss fights in this game are phenomenal. Not only are they intense, but they are always very cinematic. The first boss you fight is a rattlesnake that also happens to be a recurring antagonist. The tarantula and the rattlesnake's quarrel looks like a monster clash, akin to Godzilla vs. King Kong. It's that cinematic.
The majority of the bosses are of course much bigger than the arthropods, so they have to usually find different means of killing their enemies, or otherwise simply fleeing. Many of the bosses utilize timed-sequence button pressing, which gives a Dragon's Lair-esque feel. The boss fights are really cool, and it's a shame that they're actually a rarity. The game simply needed more thrilling boss fights.
Little Known Fact: The kite that Benjamin Franklin used was actually an unwilling tarantula. The location was also a desert near a run-down gas station.
The only gripe I have about the gameplay is that the game has some... bugs, and I mean technical bugs. There were a few occasions where I inexplicably fell off a path as the tarantula, which was frustrating. Also, there was a situation where I, as the scorpion, was stuck completely, and the only way I got out was to have my scorpion do the charge attack. Getting stuck should never have to happen in a game.
Although combat takes some getting used to, it all works out in the end. The game could use more boss fights, and there are some glitches that unfortunately bring the rating down to a 7, but overall the gameplay is solid and fun.
Characters:
I already explained the tarantula and the scorpion, but I'll say one more thing about them. Deadly Creatures is the first game in all my life that had a protagonist that made me squeamish. The tarantula is dogface ugly. UGLY[/b]. Granted, I do fear spiders and am therefore biased, but holy smokes! Just look at this!
Vile! These are definitely not snuggly, cutsey video game protagonists. I don't think there has ever been such ugly heroes in a game as these buggers.
The enemies are similarly grotesque in appearance. There are many: the wolf spider, different kinds of tarantulas and scorpions, the praying mantis, a pot-bellied man voiced by Dennis Hopper, rats, geckos and lizards, rattlers... there are many foes to encounter, and they all serve their purposes perfectly. The human characters provide comic relief to an otherwise grisly, dark journey.
Graphics & Presentation:
It's public knowledge that the Wii does not by any stretch of the imagination possess the graphical prowess of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. With that said, Deadly Creatures is one of the best looking Wii games available now. Of course, it's not bright and colorful like Super Mario Galaxy. This game is somewhat monochrome, with a dark, moody and atmospheric presentation. The lighting is excellent, and the atmosphere is unsettling. In fact, one scene consists of a doll head with an eye that opens up. Creepy indeed!
The arthropods and other enemies look fantastic, and can definitely induce heebie jeebies. The human characters aren't as detailed, but they do animate well. There's one scene where the tarantula crawls on the shoe of Wade and, good lord, did it give me shivers.
"GERONIMOOOOOOOOO!"
Unfortunately, the great graphics comes at a price: the frame rate is an issue with this game. When there are numerous characters on screen, the game chugs noticeably. While the frame rate never gets to the point where it's like a virtual slide show, it still distracts from an otherwise awesome presentation.
There are also some really ugly textures late in the game. There are some rocks that have textures that are very pixelated, but also hideously blocky. They look like textures that haven't been finished. What the heck is up with that?
On a final note regarding the presentation, this game has the creepiest main menu of any Wii game, hands down. The main menu is actually simple, but pre-rendered video clips play behind the text. These video clips include various deadly creatures walking by, or even examining, the screen. Watching extreme closeups of a praying mantis is cool, but watching extreme closeups of spiders eying the screen... shudder.
Music and Audio:
As previously mentioned, the two human characters are voiced by Dennis Hopper and Billy Bob Thornton. While getting A-list actors to voice these characters was really not necessary, they do take their roles seriously. They provide humor and, in the case of Struggs alone, a final boss fight. Two of the extra features are interviews with Hopper and Thornton, and it's clear that they really enjoyed voicing their parts, particularly Thornton, who admits having a fascination with snakes, and tells a very humorous tale about a pet snake he once had.
Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Hopper. And, no, they are not the titular Deadly Creatures.
Music is equally great. They are always atmospheric and dark, but they can also be orchestral. The music that accompanies the boss fights between the tarantula and the rattlesnake in particular is thrilling and bombastic, with horn-dominant stings that furthers the "clash of the giant monsters in the form of critters smaller than humans" feel.
Besides exaggerated moves and abilities, there are also larger-than-life sound effects: many of the deadly creatures have roars or piercing hisses, some of which are biologically impossible for their respective species. This was apparently by choice, as the game creators wanted to give a larger-than-life experience. They accomplished that, and the audio is perfect all around.
In Conclusion:
Deadly Creatures is a brief game. Although there are 450+ items to collect, the actual game is over in less than ten hours. Each chapter takes less than an hour, and there's only ten of them. The only reason to come back is to collect what you couldn't obtain earlier, but other than that there really is no reason to play again. Still, the game is short yet sweet, and I had a great time playing it. Deadly Creatures is a good game to purchase if the price is right, but if not it makes for an ideal rental. Speaking as an arachnophobic, I can safely say that I was interested in playing this game, and it turned out to be a chilling, eerie experience.
Story - 7
Gameplay - 7
Characters - 10
Graphics & Presentation - 8
Music & Audio - 10
Total Rating: 42/50[/size]
