Console: Wii
Release Date:
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Eichiro Sasaki (Director), Hironobu Takeshita (Producer)
Players: One - Four (Additional players can only draw lines and point at areas they think player one should check out)
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Introduction:
Zack and Wiki looks like a ho-hum game to most people. Something you'd pass when going though Target or Wal-mart. However, most buyers are making a grave mistake, they are passing on one of the best games for the Wii to date! Zack and Wiki is a point and click puzzle game, a rare genre of games now-a-days. What really makes it great though, is how all the elements blend together into a captivating story. Read on to find out my opinion on Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure!


Storyline:
The storyline begins pretty slowly. You get walked through the tutorial, boring! Now comes the real fun, you find the most famous pirate's head, the pirate Barbaros. You are then sent place to place, area to area to search for the parts of our skeleton friend. There are some pretty good cut scenes, with lightly improved graphics, but the camera angles is what really makes them great. One thing I find very amusing is finding all the ways you can die. You're more than likely not going to make it to the end without dying, so watching your death should be something to enjoy. At the end of the story, we get a turn for the worse, (or better, depending on how you look at it) when we finally complete the legendary pirate himself, Barbaros. The storyline is pretty good. I actually almost shed a tear at the end, it's hard when people separate when they have such close bonds, but no frets! I have a feeling there will be a second!

Haha! Hi-lar-ious!

Graphics:
Graphics, where to start. The game has cell-shading graphics, something that makes a game cheery and colorful, but even more sinister when it wants to be in my opinion. They are colorful and cheerful, but are great nonetheless. I just love how the creatures and goons look in this game. I wouldn't say that the graphics really are that great. I do think they surpass a fair few of previous Wii titles in this category, which is nice. There isn't much else to say except that I think the graphics are good and work great with the type of game we are looking at.


Game play:
Where to start, well we first learn of Wiki's magical powers when we are about to be crushed by their plane. We then turn a centipede into a centisaw. From here on is where the fun begins. You'll be using your most basic of tools, your hands and your head to solve puzzles. You'll use common sense, trial and error and many other methods of solving puzzles. What makes this game really fun are the boss battles. Even more so, the final boss battle is the best. It's just a great feeling to use your brain for once, instead of dumb luck and everything else that comes into play with most other games. The game play is definitely the best part of this game, but the other areas are pretty equal still.


Longevity:
After you finish the game you'll learn of Barbaros' hidden treasure. Here is where the fun comes in. I've found one secret chest so far, but boy was it funny how I got it! This game is just great how the comedy is mixed in. I know I'm kind of going off topic, but I thought I'd include that here. Going on, this game is long, and I mean long. We have level after level, and puzzle after puzzle. It's amazing how these guys fit all this stuff onto one little disc. It just amazes me. The game really won't provide much longevity, but it's still great nonetheless.

Sound:
The soundtrack might seem monotonous, but you are sorely mistaken. This game has a song for every different level. It's amazing! The only reason you might think there aren't that many tracks is because you hear the same base music all the time. However, the sound is just great. The rhythmic chimes and bands are just great. The music is ominous when it needs to be. It's also cheerful when it needs to be, mostly when your at headquarters. The sound is just great, one of the great factors in this great game.



Overall:
This game is smart, witty and comedic. It blends them seamlessly and is just fantastic. Definitely a top notch game, something I'd consider as a top three game. Just go out and buy this game! What do I need to do, tattoo this on my chest? This game is great and amazing, as an addition, it is cheaper than a standard Wii game. Go out and get it!