Zack & Wiki is one of those hidden gems, a game that comes along only once in a great while and one that, if you don’t look closely enough, is easy to miss. Furthermore, it is one of the few Wii games that fully takes advantage of Wii’s functionality. This game simply would not work on any other console.
The game starts off introducing you to Zack, an aspiring young pirate and his flying, monkey sidekick, Wiki. Early on in the adventure, Zack stumbles upon the remains of Barbaros, the greatest pirate of them all. Barbaros states that if Zack can find all his missing pieces, he will give Zack his legendary ship. And so the adventure begins.
The first thing you will notice about Zack & Wiki is its beautiful art style. The cel-shaded graphics are reminiscent of such games as The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, although the style is definitely uniquely its own. While it may not be the most graphically impressive game out there, it doesn’t have to be. You really get the sense playing Zack & Wiki that you are not so much playing a videogame as you are controlling some sort of fantastical cartoon.
The other major aspect of Zack & Wiki is its control. This is a point-and-click adventure, meaning that you don’t control Zack directly with an analog stick, but rather point the Wii remote where you want him to go and press A. This control scheme works very well and at no point in the game did I wish to control Zack directly.
What really sets apart Zack & Wiki isn’t its graphical style or its point-and-click control scheme, but rather its intense and intellectually engaging puzzles, which are brought to life thanks to a brilliant utilization of the Wii remote. Zack & Wiki is an adventure/puzzle game. You will explore a variety of locales, ranging from a tropical jungle to the fiery depths of a volcano. However, the real meat of the game lies in its puzzles. Zack & Wiki will have you using the Wii remote in a variety of clever ways, and while there is an onscreen character to give you a general idea of how to use the remote, it largely up to you to figure out which motion is appropriate for any given puzzle. Despite its heavy use of the Wii remote, none of the actions feel gimmicky, but rather they all help to create a sense of immersion you just wouldn’t be able to achieve on any other console.
Another neat aspect of the game is how you utilize Wiki. Not only is Wiki your trusted sidekick, he’s also a useful tool. Simply start shaking the Wii remote and Wiki will turn into a bell. Any enemy that is within range of the bell will be turned into an item. It is very fun and rewarding to experiment with the different enemies and discover which items are needed to solve a particular puzzle. Interacting with objects is also extremely satisfying. For many puzzles, you may have to look a closer look at a particular object. To do this, simply move the Wii remote around as if it is the object. In the game the object will turn according to how you are turning the remote. These sorts of experiences are what really help to highlight the potential of the Wii remote.
Don’t let the cute name or colorful graphics trick you; Zack & Wiki is definitely not just for kids. In fact, some of the game’s puzzles are down-right intense and anyone, whether a child or an adult, would be hard pressed to figure them out in one shot. Fortunately though, the game helps to ease you in by presenting you with increasingly difficult puzzles as the game progresses. Furthermore, the game allows you to “buy” hints and continues for each level, although they will detract from your overall score for that particular level. However, as tough as the game may get, I encourage you to avoid using these hints and continues. While they may help you figure out a puzzle more quickly, the sense of satisfaction you’ll get by figuring it out on your own is more than worth the extra effort.
Although the game’s story definitely takes a backseat to its puzzle-solving elements, I still found myself becoming somewhat attached to the characters. The game has some very funny moments and all of the main characters have their own particular charm, whether it’s Zack stopping in the middle of a level to eat a chocolate bar, or the pilot’s nonchalant attitude. Although the story is definitely not the main draw of the game, it still managed to hold my attention throughout, thanks in no small part to the comedic characters.
It is very hard to find any faults with the game. The story is a bit on the light side, but as I stated early, this does not hinder the experience in the least. Perhaps the most annoying aspect of the game is how you retry a level when you die. If you should die during a level, you have two choices, you can be brought back to the point in the level just before your death, or start the level over. In many cases, you will want to start the level over, since being revived takes away from your score. Unfortunately, this becomes more difficult to do, as later levels in the game are significantly longer and more complex. There were many instances where I was afraid to try something out, for fear of being killed and having to start all over. However, as annoying as this can be, it really causes you to stop and think, and while there may be some points in the game where you feel your death was unwarranted, in most cases, if you think things through, you’ll avoid having to start all over.
Zack & Wiki is an incredibly unique game. It is, without a doubt, one of the best Wii games out there, both in terms of style and control. If you have been waiting for a game that truly takes advantage of the Wii, look no further than Zack & Wiki. As an added bonus, Zack & Wiki is $10 cheaper than the average Wii game, coming in at $40. Whether you’re looking for a smart puzzle game or simply a high-quality Wii game, Zack & Wiki will not disappoint.
Filed under: Reviews, Video Games, Wii
