Like playing a cartoon. A modern masterpiece!
Warioland: The shake dimension is a 2D side-scrolling platformer and takes the player back to the gaming roots of old. Even the way you hold the Wii remote resembles how players used to grasp the NES controller some 20 years ago. The game starts when the Shake dimension, a world that exists inside a golden globe, is attacked by a large pirate called the Shake King. He imprisons the worlds inhabitants (Merfles), their queen and steals the worlds prized treasure, the bottomless coin sack. One Merfle manages to escape and goes off to find help. In the real world, the golden globe is stolen by Captain Syrup, who Wario fans will know as his archenemy and rival. Strangely she delivers the globe to Wario's door and he's completely uninterested by the lone Merfle's plea. Until he hears about the bottomless coin sack of course. And so your adventure kicks off.
As you've probably guessed, it's called the shake dimension because you have to shake the Wii remote from time to time, and it makes the game so much more enjoyable. After all, what's more fun then jumping on an enemy's head and then shaking him until he gets dizzy and passes out. You also shake small coin sacks (as well as big ones) until every last coin spills out. It's not all about the shaking though; you also tilt the Wii remote from side to side when aiming throw-able objects, which of course can sometimes include yourself. Not only that but thrusting the Wii remote downwards causes Wario to smash the floor, sending objects and enemies flying. These motion controls are mainly used to get through puzzling areas of the levels.
Speaking of levels, every level is unique with a fantastic background soundtrack that you'll be bobbing along to after a time. the level is also divided into 3 objectives. The main objective is to reach the end, rescue the trapped Merfle (by shaking its prison cage) before running back through the level to the start before you get locked in and game over hits you. The secondary objectives include collecting all three treasure chests, found in each stage, and beating the level's missions. These missions could be as simple as beat the stage in a set time, or as hard as beat the stage without taking damage. Either way, there are tons of things to do once you've finished each level. Even after you've beaten the end of game boss there is still a load of things to do before you can call the game completed.
The game is beautifully animated and looks like a cartoon. Each action Wario and his enemies make, as well as the backgrounds, are hand drawn and coloured to perfection. With comical effects here and there teamed with Charles Martinet's voice of Wario, you'll be smiling every time he gets crushed, finds coins or even sets himself on fire. Not only that but the intro and outro cutscenes are all in stunning anime, done by Production I.G., who were also responsible for the anime sections in Kill Bill. And everything flows. Seriously it doesn't just look like a cartoon; it plays as if it were one.
Although the game might not seem like it on the first playthrough, the game is challenging. Once the game is beat, you still have secret levels to unlock and harder missions to complete. You'll be screaming at the TV in aggravation when you get right to the end of a level only to fail the mission you were trying to beat. Not to mention scouring each level to find those hidden treasure chests. So this game is anything but easy and short.
Summery time:
Graphics – the visuals are stunning, with each environment hand drawn and slickly coloured, including Wario and his foes. The bosses also look spectacular. And the animation flows like a dream
Sound – a superb soundtrack that manages to encompass the stage your playing with a personality of its own. In fact this game is worth picking up if just to hear the 'Launchpad Labyrinth' song
Value – on first playthrough, you'll have it done in a week. But once that's out of the way you've got to go back and get everything else. Keeping you busy for about a month!
Gameplay – doing the side-scrolling platformer genre justice in every meaning of the term. Trust me; you'll have to go some lengths to beat how this 2D game plays.
Proof that you don't need stunning 3D or reflective surfaces to have what truly is an outstanding piece of gaming. I don't do this often but I would say that this game really is a modern masterpiece.
9.5