Living in a MadWorld
While the Wii continues to dominate hardware sales across the globe, it's obviously lacking in the software stakes. Critics and consumers alike share a similar feeling towards the somewhat insulting and gag-worthy shovel-ware titles that are being released for the console. Anyone with even a small knowledge of the gaming industry probably saw this coming, as the Wii hardware itself is merely a slightly upgraded Gamecube, a console that was incredibly easy to develop for, even in its time. Move forward five years, and even a 10th grade IT class would be able to develop software for the console (yes, that's a stab at the power of the Wii).
One of the major questions that plague the console though is will it ever go "mature" - attract developers to create adult content. The Wii's demographic is hard to pinpoint and is probably the most broad ever in the history of gaming. Everyone from hardcore gamers to mums, dads and grandparents want to own, or at least play, a Wii. However, there seems to be one concerning trend with the console and the "non-gaming" crowd it attracts - they are being subjected to games with short learning curves, limited graphics and gameplay and little to no narrative. In other words, they're playing games designed specifically for the LCD (lowest common denominator).
Fortunately as of late, we've seen slightly more mature games coming to the console. Even the recent influx of Sonic titles has allowed older gamers to reconnect with their past. Call of Duty games get a solid outing on the console and the recent release of House of the Dead: Overkill, with its 80s-style horror presentation and vulgar humour, is helping the console develop a more hardcore following.
Soon, one game that has attracted even the most hardcore of gamers is coming to Wii. MadWorld, a game developed by Japanese company Platinum Games, which consists of several former Clover Studio development team members, is heading to the Wii in a bloody, Sin City-style gore-fest. The early signs are good and reports coming out of Japan and early game previews highlight a strong narrative (even for a basic, action fighting game), great visuals and fairly innovative gameplay (even though it doesn't take advantage of the motion sensoring abilities).
What is a MadWorld?
MadWorld is played in a third-person perspective. You'll take control of mechanic and former marine Jack, who, conveniently enough, has a chainsaw attached to his arm. Jack is taking part in a violent television show and you guide him through a 3D world.
All of the gameplay is done through the Wii Remote, which controls Jack's weapon, and the nunchuck, which moves him. As you move through the world, you must help Jack attack enemies with melee attacks and using weapons found in the environments.
While the game will feature intense and over-the-top violence, MadWorld designer Shigeunori Nishikawa has stated that it's meant to be seen in a comical light. One can't help but ask if the games violence would attract as much attention if it was to appear on the XBOX 360 or Playstation 3.
MadWorld is set in a world with a limited colour palette, with a world partially inspired by the one in Frank Miller's Sin City.
Who is MadWorld?
MadWorld is set in fictional Varrigan City, a place that has become a target of a terrorist cell called "The Organizers". The group have taken over the city and used it as the set for a violent TV show called "Death Watch", which is the show our main hero Jack takes place in. In the show, the city's people are forced to fight each other in a battle for survival to win $100 Million.
Characters
* Jack: Our main hero and controlled character, Jack is a former mechanic and marine with a chainsaw connected to his arm. Jack is given a task by the President to head to the city and stop Death Watch.
* XIII: XIII appears in several television screens around the city and is named that way because he represents the thirteenth sponsor of Death Watch.
* Little Eddie: One of the biggest and baddest bosses, Little Eddie is everything but little.
* Herr Frederick von Twirlenkiller: Weirdly, this character has jet turbines where his hands should be and can use them to create a mini cyclones.
* Rinrin: A Chinese woman who represents the city's Chinatown district.
* The Black Baron: The host of Death Watch.
What to expect in a MadWorld
Controversy has surrounded the forthcoming release of MadWorld. That was to be expected, as the game is violent. There's no doubting that. In the UK, John Beyer, director of mediawatch-uk, said that the game should be banned. Despite his contest against the game, it will hit shelves in the UK as planned. However, the game will not be released in Germany.
In a strange and rather inconsistent development, the game will appear in Australia, unedited, with an MA15+ rating, although Australia is known for having a strict gaming classification system not unlike that of Germany's. However, is this controversy warranted?
In the UK, gamers have responded to Beyer's comment, stating that mediawatch-uk are "cowards" and "narrow-minded bigots." Furthermore, in a preview of the game, Eurogamer stated that, "It's difficult to understand why there's so much controversy surrounding MadWorld when the violence is so very Tom and Jerry... It really is hard to be offended... because it's just so ridiculous." This comment seems to go hand-in-hand with those of designer Shigeunori Nishikawa. It's clear that the game wasn't designed to be violent for the sake of being violent or to attract more mature gamers to Wii, but rather to be violent for the sake of being comical and fun.
MadWorld will hit store shelves in Australia on March 26th, 2009.
Don't forget to enter our MadWorld Competition to go into the running to win a whole bunch of insane MadWorld prizes, including a copy of the game and a poster signed by members of the development team.
About MadWorld
MadWorld is a third person game where you play as Jack, a hulking brute with a chainsaw for an arm where you compete in a violent TV show.
Using the Nunchuk to move Jack, by gesturing the Wii Remote, players perform brutal melee attacks on enemies. Also Jack can use objects around the environment, such as impaling an enemy's head with a sign post saying "Caution Sign", in an ironic way.
The game features extreme, over-the-top violence but its designer, Shigenori Nishikawa, intends it to be seen in a comical light.
Sources:
Wikipedia
IGN
Daily Mail
Eurogamer
GamesIndustry
About MadWorld
MadWorld is a third person game where you play as Jack, a hulking brute with a chainsaw for an arm where you compete in a violent TV show.
Using the Nunchuk to move Jack, by gesturing the Wii Remote, players perform brutal melee attacks on enemies. Also Jack can use objects around the environment, such as impaling an enemy's head with a sign post saying "Caution Sign", in an ironic way.
The game features extreme, over-the-top violence but its designer, Shigenori Nishikawa, intends it to be seen in a comical light.
MadWorld is now available around Australia for a RRP. of $79.95.
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