The $300 MadWorld Review
For those following the most current video game releases, MadWorld should need no introduction. In a nutshell, Madworld offer players a highly stylized, film noir environment in which to creatively torture and execute an assortment of grotesque and supernatural foes. The central controversies surrounding the game relate to its sole target platform - the Nintendo Wii. Before the game’s release, critics and fanboys have mainly argued the following points:
- The Nintendo Wii is not technically powerful enough to provide the intended experience.
- The family-friendly Wii will become a liability for children due to MadWorld’s vulgarity and excessive violence. This could also create an opportunity for similar games to be published without Nintendo showing any concern for morality obligations.
Simply and objectively put, the first argument is fallacious because the MadWorld developers specifically chose Wii as their target platform due to its unique motion controls (see: Why MadWorld is Wii-only). The second argument is dismissible due to the existence of Mature Wii games (Manhunt 2, No More Heroes) as well the illogical implication that Nintendo has a social responsibility to prevent adult content from gracing its consoles. The “Mature” rating on MadWorld’s cover should be the first clue to parents of young children that Super Mario Galaxy might be a better choice.
MadWorld was the first release developed by Platinum Games, a relatively new company formed by many of the ex-members of the dissolved Clover Studio (Viewtiful Joe, Okami). Since I’m a huge fan of their Playstation2 beat ‘em up throwback God Hand, I’ve been eagerly awaiting MadWorld’s release since it was unveiled last year. However, when the game was released, my Wii was inaccessible; My father had kidnapped it to play Guitar Hero World Tour. At the same time, I was facing the decision to have surgery to correct a level III+ acromioclavicular separation. The total time needed to completely heal from surgery and rehabilitation is 4-6 months, so it wasn’t a light decision. With the surgery date looming only three days away and no way to play my copy of MadWorld, I went insane and I did the only thing I could.
I had waited patiently for a few years so that I could play Platinum’s follow-up to Okami, and the thought of waiting another two or three months made me both angry and frustrated. Even knowing that I’d only have the chance to play MadWorld for a few hours before having surgery, I opted to buy a Wii and play what I could with the short amount of time remaining.
Initially, I was very impressed with the production values, but after 15 minutes or so, I became disappointed (and borderline bored) with the gameplay. I soon realized that this was because I was unconsciously expecting God Hand 2, of which MadWorld certainly is not. Whereas God Hand is frantic and demands fast reflexes, MadWorld is a bit more strategic and rewards players for stringing together brutal combo attacks. Two other fairly large aspects of this game that deserve mention are its self-referential hip-hop soundtrack and its over-the-top sportscaster banter. While I appreciate the freshness of these aural elements, they tended to grate after much repetition. Thankfully, Platinum has allowed the user to customize the volume of each individual auditory stream. Playing through MadWorld with only its sound effects is in some ways eerier and more satisfying.
After only a few hours of game play, MadWorld did grow on me. I was able to complete half of the game in about two and a half hours, so my experience mirrors that of many critics whom note the brevity of the game. The game itself is not without flaws and annoyances, but it deserves a solid B for its style, direction, and relentless originality. I wouldn’t say that MadWorld is a “must play” game for Wii, but it is certainly a gem for those seeking a fun, polished beat-em-up with a sadistic streak. Platinum Games looks to have a bright future as innovative developers, and I can’t wait to see what other worlds they can create. So, was it worth buying a Wii simply to play MadWorld for three hours? Surprisingly, I’m going to say “yes“. Although, it’s possible that it’s just the painkillers talking. 84/100