crouton days

I’ve become accustomed to being skeptical of ‘hardcore’ Wii titles and doubly so of anything published by THQ and exponentially so of risky seeming IP. How about a game where you play as a tarantula and a scorpion while you unearth a story narrated by Billy Bob Thorton, Dennis Hopper and clever set pieces? Yes, this is a real game that has actually arrived in my mailbox and it’s not half bad.

Kratos vs Hades in God of War 3 for the Wii Mini Lego Edition

Deadly creatures reminds me a lot of God of War; the cinematic presentation, lots of boss fights, the combat system, set pieces, the encounter/battle system. But it’s the cool, testosteroneLITE infused facade that makes this game appealing. The animations are both anthropomorphic and fun and the art direction is strong. Even the marketing is fun. It really makes you wonder what would be possible if publishers spent 25 million on a Wii title instead of 5.

What’s the story on this photoshoppery? Dead Rising 2 is being developed by a Canadian studio and being published by Capcom. Why is this disappointing? The Canadian interpretation of America versus the Japanese one. Sure, Canada has their stereotypes of the US, but can they pull off the social commentary? I’m obviously going to get the game but part of what made Dead Rising so great was the subtle stuff and arguably even the B treatment. The new House of the Dead game got it right.