What's the story?
When Steven Spielberg makes a game, you need to give it some
respect. Amazingly the legendary director is behind this wacky and very
colourful effort featuring 30 crazy characters and more than 300 levels
of interactive puzzles to solve and challenges to overcome.
Spielberg said: "I am a gamer myself, and I really wanted to create a video game that I could play with my kids. This features an enormous amount of fun challenges and cool scenarios for your kids to solve or for you to master together."
How does it handle?
Like all these mini-game efforts, it uses the Wii-mote to great effect
with the adventure divided into four different themed worlds including
the Wild West and a haunted land.
The main aim is to knock down blocks and the gameplay is based around that simple idea with various comical and clever ways utilised to keep it interesting. The Blox all have their own values and attributes, some get you points, some are bombs that take out nearby ones and a few of them explode in a burst of fireworks. Watch out though, as there are penalty ones thrown in that mean you lose some of that score you worked so hard to build up.
Pointing the Wii-mote targets the Blox you want to destroy and this can be done by throwing various objects at them by swinging the controller, shooting them with lasers, or grabbing various Bloxs to make sure you don't hit those you shouldn't.
Screen grab or screen drab?
I don't know how much say Spielberg had in the graphics but they are
brilliant. Everything comes alive on-screen and none-more-so than the
characters.
And they're just as weird as their names which include Booga, Ooga, Gorilda Gert and Besty Moo! Each has particular skills so choose wisely each time you play to make the most of their behaviour.
How long till I'm bored?
Spielberg added: "My inspiration for this game came while I was playing
the Wii for the first time. "It's always been built around the
innovations the Wii brings to playing games. It plays on the enjoyment
of building and knocking down blocks, something that can appeal innately
to kids and adults of all ages."
This is very addictive and as Mr S says, it really does provide fun for all ages and all the family. The editing functions to make your own levels to knock down also add a whole extra slice of entertainment and skill-testing. It works great in party mode with others but the single-player stuff is just as intriguing.
From what I've seen here, I can't wait for the director's next gaming venture – because this is as much as a hit as his classic films!
Verdict: 90%
Rating: 3+
Format: Wii
Publisher: EA
Price: £39.99
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/fun/gizmo/gaming/article1141138.ece
