Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure Review

(Wii)
Released: 10/23/07 (US)
Rated E
MSRP: $39.99

Zack and Wiki is the best third party wii game to date, Its a crime if you don't purchase this hidden gem. The game is a point and click adventure that utilizes the Wii's capability's to the fullest. The game also makes you use your old noggin , Thinking is the fundamental of the game. You start of as Zack, a sea pirate rabbit, addicted to treasure and, wiki a magical golden monkey that can transform enemy's into items. The game is only played by using the wii-mote, and you point to anything around the environment to observe, and click; the same goes for moving. Sounds simple enough, but don't let this games cute cel-shaded graphics, and wiki's annoying voice fool you, this game will have your head scratching, and pondering hard what to do next.

You only control zack through 7 huge stages, and wiki is only used when you shake the wii-mote as a bell to shift enemys into items. At first the games puzzles may not seem like much, but once you start to progress through the game, you'll be forced to use a guide. The wii-mote is used in over 20 different gestures, for example sawing a tree, using it as a phone, fishing, using contraptions, and so on. The game also does a good job in keeping each puzzle unique and fresh, it wont feel like you did something similar, or the same in the game. Solving a puzzle is also very satisfying, and even more seeing how well you got graded , the game grades your puzzle-solving skills on how fast u can clear the stage.

Zack and wiki, has humor, charm, nice graphics, great and easy controls, unbelievingly clever puzzles, and overall its a fun experience that can only happen on the wii. i have a few complaints that I may have to go over, there minor ones though. If you mess up a puzzle, you have to start all over from the beginning, unless you pay for a revive which lets you start from where u messed up. Some puzzles are really well designed, but to know what to do in some puzzles you have to die, to know not to do that again, kinda like memorize where not to go and go. I just wish that we could've had more ways in doing the puzzle, not the same linear way all time, for it can add more replay value in the game, but a few levels actually have secrets, and another complaint I have is BUY THIS GAME FOR WE CAN GET A GODDAMN SEQUEL!!!

Final Score: 9.0
Must Buy

~Burnt Crust