In the emerging array of fitness games, this one makes its debut. It makes a sound start, showing great potential.
There is a growing market for fitness games, as all of you may be aware. They attempt to take the hard, sweaty, back-breaking work out of exercise, and place it was a more relaxed, enjoyable result. All at the same time attempting to provide the same effects; lean bodies, taught muscles and a general level of fitness. There is much debate as to whether the Wii Fit is a credible exercise regime, however it has many of its own merits and setbacks that makes it a valid game to those in the gaming community.
The graphics are simplistic, making the step by step instructions easy to follow. Even whilst in the game the clear voice instructions make it easy for the user to follow. These are both aspects to such a game that requires a significant amount of detail – all of which the producers gave.
As those who have already played will know, the Wii fit offers several different core game play types; yoga, aerobatics and strength-training. So, with all the exercise options they provide, does it really work? The short answer is no. But that doesn't mean the long answer is the same. It is important to note that
"Nintendo isn't claiming that Wii Fit will help people lose weight -- or even become healthier. The company says it merely hoped to create a game that combines entertainment and the ability to track progress with a healthy activity." (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/can-you-get-really-fit-with-wii-exercise-games?page=2).
The game was not designed specifically to get your heart rate up to the same level that a bike ride or jog will provide. It was also not aimed at people who are fit, either. Instead, the game was aimed at the very stereotypical gamer – the one who sits at a computer or on the couch all day and does barely any physical activity, promoting a basic stepping stone towards more extenuous activity.
The basic lunges, push ups and even the games, often work off of the player's balance whilst they play – giving them points regarding to how well they kept their balance and performed throughout each activity. Thus this aspect of game play does not give the option for easy, medium or hard levels, but in fact gives a continuous level of difficulty by letting the player try and beat their own records.
Playing the game in this state-of-mind; not trying to beat the game itself but my own previous scores, the game was somewhat challenging. Despite this, some of the exercises such as the lunge and even the 'breather' as I found myself calling it, in which the player simply focuses on their breathing under the yoga category, often scored near or on the 100% mark the entire time. Whilst many of the exercises did seem too overly simple, the more one played the greater the challenge came – to a degree. As more points were stored in the bank, more games and exercises were unlocked. Good as this idea was, I often found that if you performed a particular exercise more often than another, the harder difficulties were then opened for that exercise. With more of a challenge set up for something that I was good at, I found myself neglecting those that I struggled with. Even when I state that there was a challenge, it's also very important to note that teach of the activities were still well within ease of completing.
Despite this somehow lack of any serious challenge that would keep me drawn back to the game over and over, the game Wii Fit did have some positive merits that would give me cause to suggest it to others. The game is more suitable to those recovering from injuries. Within a week of following each exercise religiously I personally found that the game was easing the back pain that seems to plague me. I have heard the same report from family friends who suffer from the same problem. I have also heard many stories of Wii Fit helping people with limps and other similar symptoms. I am not saying that this game is ideal for therapy; however from mentions I have heard this game could hold its merits within that field.
One major let down that I found this game to have was quite a significant one; multiplayer was non-existent pretty much. There was one game that allowed two users to hold a wii remote and run with it, effectively racing along a track. However this game lacked any substance for me. The entire Wii Fit game is designed upon the ideology that the player pushes themselves against their own scores, and that of other players. Playing one or two exercises, just to go through the lengthy process of signing out of your profile and in as another user was just not appropriate in the gaming world; users want and need games that won't keep them waiting unnecessarily. For example, to complete all the exercises that are first available, it takes roughly one to two hours. To do so much work, just to sit back and keep another player company as they repeat exactly what you did just does not work. They can perform the same basic exercises by following the on screen prompts, but they do not register any points and thus become pointless to perform. In my opinion, what should have been does is the option for two people to sign in on their own profiles and multi-board support. This would allow for first player to select a particular exercise, and thus the two people that performed that exercise will both get the same rating system and points added to their accounts upon completion.
Overall, the game, although too simplistic and easy for a person that goes to the gym regularly, still works well for many others. As always, whether or not I like the game is up to my own personal opinion. I highly encourage all readers to read the reviews if they want, but to ultimately make up their own minds. Just because 100 people dislike the game, doesn't mean you will.