Wii Sports Resort Review
The perfect getaway...from bad motion controls, that is.
GAME SPECS/INTRODUCTION
Wii Sports Resort is the sequel to Wii Sports, the ever-popular motion control showcase that was packaged in with every Wii console. Wii Sports was, for the past two years or so, one of, if not the best showcase for the Wii's motion-control capabilities. Will Wii Sports Resort usurp the throne and claim that title? Read on to find out!
Wii Sports Resort (abbreviated to WSR for the sake of this review) was released on June 25, 2009 in Japan, and worldwide in July 2009. WSR is a collection of several different resort-themed sports and activities. The game is exclusive to the Wii, and goes for approximately $49.99 US. WSR comes bundled with the Wii Motion Plus accessory, which normally costs about $20.00 US by itself. WSR supports up to four player multiplayer, but, unfortunately, lacks online play.
STORY
WSR is a very simple story. It may not even seem as much of a story as it is a premise.
After playing several sports back at home, the miis have decided to go on a vacation. Their destination? Wu-hu island- a large, tropical resort area where miis can relax, chat, and of course, play.
How do they get to Wu-hu island though? Well, what better way than skydiving?! The miis take a plane to Wu-hu island, and once looming over the sandy beaches, they take a leap, plunge through the blue skies, and open their parachutes, landing on the wet sand.
This is where the fun begins.
GAME STRUCTURE
The first time you play the game, you will begin by jumping out of your airplane, and as described in the story, skydive down onto the island.
After that game, you've got the choice of twelve different activities to play. The games are:
1. Swordplay
2. Archery
3. Wakeboarding
4. Golf
5. Bowling
6. Ski dooing
7. Frisbee
8. Air Sports
9. Cycling
10. Canoeing
11. Basketball
12. Table Tennis
Each of these activities have varying games that you can play. For example, in Swordplay, you have the choice of vs. mode (where you face a single opponent in a swordfight), speed slice (where you cut objects as fast as you can), and showdown (where you face several miis at once as you proceed through an area). I'd estimate, taking into account the many different games in each specific activity, that there are approximately 30 or so different games to play.
Most games support multiplayer, and some games require the use of only one wiimote, meaning you can have fun with others without buying too many wiimotes/motion pluses. It's great for people who simply cant afford to have four controls with motion plus attachments. That can get quite pricey.
GAMEPLAY/CONTROLS
Generally, most of the games in WSR are very fun to play, and are especially amusing when playing with others. The game is truly a blast when you've got four people around the screen waving their remotes around. On top of this, the motion plus attachment makes the controls for mostly all the games EXTREMELY accurate and precise. Controls as accurate as these could simply not be achieved without the motion plus.
You're probably wondering which games can really swim, and which sink, so i'll briefly share my thoughts on each of the activities.
1. SWORDPLAY- Swordplay is truly great. It's without a doubt one of the best activites in the package. It's a great deal of fun to play. You'll love smacking your friends around with that sword. What really makes swordplay so amazing though, is how awesome the motion controls are. This, my friends, is true 1:1 motion control. However you position your wiimote, the game will do the exact same with the sword. This is like the frantic fun of Wii Sports Boxing, only with GOOD motion controls.
2. ARCHERY- Another good activity. The accuracy and realism of the wii remote controls make the experience. The way you position your wii remote and pull back your nunchuk perfectly simulates the real archery experience, and that's where the fun lies. Realism.
4. GOLF- ahhhh, it feels so good to play golf when it actually works! This is, essentially, a functioning version of Wii Sports's golf. The motion plus finally makes the wii able to recognize the strength your putting into your swing. I also like how they've added new courses in this version of gold to keep things fresh. As always, the game looks pretty.
5. BOWLING- it's nice that it's back, but nothing's really changed. Team mode is a nice addition, however. The game is also able to recognize when you curve your ball better than the original.
6. SKI DOOING- This is fun. It feels like waverace. I've actually wanted something like this ever since the Wii came out. The steering and acceleration really makes you feel like your riding a Ski doo.
7. FRISBEE- awwww, the dog is so cute! that's always a plus. anyway, again, the accurate motion controls make this a winner. This couldn't be done with the motion controls alone. What makes this game different from the others is that this one is REALLY reliant on skill. If you're good at frisbee in real life, you'll succeed in this. If not...start practicing! Frisbee golf is also pretty interesting, and a cool twist on the regular golf game, for sure.
9. CYCLING- pass on this. it's the rotten banana of the bunch. the peddling concept is stupid, and it is just not very fun.
10. CANOEING- meh, it feels repetitive. Nothing really changes. It's fun the first few times, and it controls great, but you'll get bored with this mode quickly. It feels like a tech demo instead of a game, just like parachuting.
11. BASKETBALL- I liked the free throw contest. I like how the wii remote is able to read the curve of your wrist and determine the arch of the shot. It's also a good pick up and play game. It's easy to get into, and the quick play aspect make it appealing to people who want to keep trying for a higher score. 3 vs. 3 on the other hand, isn't nearly as fun. It's a watered down version of a real basketball game to accomodate for the undeniable limitations of the wii remote. On top of that, it's boring.
12. TABLE TENNIS- Table tennis is essentially Wii Sports tennis with more precise controls. The wii remote is now able to detect the curve in your swing and from which side of your body you are hitting from. On top of that, it can now also measure the power of your swing more accurately. Multiplayer is just as fun as it was back in Wii Sports, however it's a shame it lacks 2 on 2 matches.
GRAPHICS
The graphics for WSR are what you'd expect- cute, clean, and crisp. The colours are very vivid, and the island setting looks beautiful. The framerate never drops.
There may not be much raw power in the graphics, but it's the art style that really makes it pop. The grass is a lush green; the water is a refreshing, serene blue. Everything just looks so surreal. You really do get the feeling that you're on a vacation.
MUSIC
There's not much to say here. Generally, the music is forgettable. Most of it is passive, relaxing island themed music. On the plus side though, they fit the mood perfectly, and it's nice to hear a spin on the original Wii Sports theme that we've heard so much. It makes you feel like you're home again.
There's many reasons to keep playing wii sports, including stamps (which are essentially achievements like on the 360) and highscores. You'll play time and time again trying to get that specific stamp, or beat your best friend. On top of this, just like in the original Wii Sports, you can keep playing to increase your player points in an effort to reach pro status. This is great for bragging.
Multiplayer is, without a doubt, the strongest point of this game, and it will be the reason you'll keep coming back to this game. WSR is a great game to bring out for family and friend gatherings because it's such a blast to play. Don't be surprised if your friends tell you "let's play wii sports resort again!"
For quick, active fun, you'll rely on Wii Sports Resort for a long time.
VALUE
WSR costs 10 dollars more than your average wii game because it comes bundled with the motion plus accessory. This may seem like a pain for some, but in reality, you are getting a deal.
Normally, the motion plus costs twenty dollars. In buying Wii Sports Resort, you are saving ten dollars off the motion plus accessory. So, if you want to think of it this way, you're saving ten dollars, not paying ten dollars more.
CONCLUSION
Wii Sports Resort is, all in all, a great package. Most of the games are real winners. The motion plus works, and it works well. The replay value is strong, and the multiplayer is the most fun I've had since the original Wii Sports. The graphics are pretty. The music is relaxing, albeit forgettable.
Wii Sports Resort is definitely worthy of being in your wii library. So put on that sunscreen, grab your beach towel, and pick up a copy now. I'll see you on Wu-hu island.
Controls: 9.5
Graphics: 8
Sound: 6
Gameplay: 9.5
Replayability: 8
Value: 9
Multiplayer: 10
TOTAL: 9.0
Just like the sea, the Wii spans a vast area, and can carry a wide variety of unpleasant things. Also like the sea, however, there is the odd glimmering pearl, and we've found it.
Another Pina Colada please! - eric1002
