Topic: Excite truck: A game for everybody?

[NWR_pap64]

NOTE: I know there are other threads dedicated solely to Excite truck and this was probably asked there. Mods, feel free to lock this thread if it violates against the terms of services.

As you all know, ET is a fun little racing game (I can't say anything, however, because I only had like 30 minutes of gameplay, 20 of those in tutorial), but I think we can all agree that the game does have a learning curve and it isn't that easy to get into (SB already made mention of this in his own thread). In fact, some say that the games becomes vastly enjoyable once you have the controls down.

The reason I bring this up is because Nintendo has been promoting ET as a game everyone can pick up and play when I personally think it isn't that simple. Back when I first played it, me and my nephew were having a hard time getting into the game. It wasn't till we did the tutorial where we started to get the hang of things. If we gamers had to understand how the game plays, imagine how a non gamer will feel? I mean, I had to explain to my mom more than once just how to play Wii sports, and that is a very non gamer friendly game.

So, would you agree with me? Have any stories that prove this theory wrong?

[GoldenPhoenix]

I definately do NOT agree with you based upon my own personal experience. I've had everyone from my mom (who really only plays games like Dr. Mario) and her boyfriend who hardly plays any games whatsoever, to my sister. Everyone loved the game and thought it was a blast and felt like second nature after a couple of spins, granted they weren't pulling off all the tricks but they were having a great time which is what really matters. Yes the game has some complexity, but there is enough in the game where the added complexity (which really isn't that much) is more of a bonus when it comes to having fun with it.

[Shecky]

Four friends brand new too Wii and the Game, played it for over a hour having a blast.  Took about a race to get the hang of it.  EVERYONE messes up on the first turn of the first personal race... it's funny.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Really everything in the game is pretty dang intuitive and easy to catch on, whether it be turbo or jumping. But more importantly turning feels second nature after a race for even the most novice "non-gamer". Probaly the most difficult thing is making 360 degree turns which takes a bit of practice.

[Hostile Creation]

My sister and my one friend who played it jumped right in.  They weren't spectacular with it, but they really enjoyed playing it and they did reasonably well.  My sister makes good star scores, she just isn't good at the racing aspect.

[NWR_pap64]

I'm asking because the game does have a curve that you need to learn before you can hoot and holler with your friends.

Like I said, if hardcore gamers were put off by the controls, something they shouldn't have a problem with, non gamers could get easily annoyed with the game.

Just to refresh my mind, who were the ET haters SB mentioned at one point?

[Smash_Brother]

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64 Just to refresh my mind, who were the ET haters SB mentioned at one point?

They're not gonna fess up at this point.

It was more of a reaction thread to playing ET and the Wii before it was released.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Excite Truck is probaly my 2nd favorite Wii game and I really had a blast when I first played it at Gamestop.

[SixthAngel]

I found an extremely small learning curve in this game.  The basic controls such as turning and turbo couldn't get any easier.  Turbo jumps were obvious to me as well.  Besides the 360 and 720 spins learning the controls was incredibly easy.

The reason your friends probably had control trouble is because they are hardcore gamers.  The analog stick/digital pad is so ingrained into their idea of a game that they had trouble getting used to not using one.  I heard comments from other people here saying they kept having the desire to press the pad to steer.

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: SixthAngel
I found an extremely small learning curve in this game.  The basic controls such as turning and turbo couldn't get any easier.  Turbo jumps were obvious to me as well.  Besides the 360 and 720 spins learning the controls was incredibly easy.

The reason your friends probably had control trouble is because they are hardcore gamers.  The analog stick/digital pad is so ingrained into their idea of a game that they had trouble getting used to not using one.  I heard comments from other people here saying they kept having the desire to press the pad to steer.

I guess you're right. I was caught by surprise as to how the game controlled. I knew that you help the controller like a steering wheel, seen the videos and knew that you tilted left and right in order to control your truck. But once you actually do it the experience can be a bit overwhelming.

Like I said, the first time I played it I was growing annoyed by it. It wasn't till I did the tutorial mode where I started enjoying it.

My nephew played the game and he understood it. At one point, he mentioned that he didn't want any racing games for the Wii, which made me fear that the control scheme might have annoyed him a bit, hence why I grew concerned as to why the game is considered very gamer friendly. Turns out that what he meant was he didn't want any racing games with heavy emphasis in missions, getting money and buying parts. He told me that he enjoyed the control scheme of the game.

[Nick DiMola]

I love Excite Truck with all my heart. From the moment I played (even though I sucked at it) I loved it. Most people I know love it too. All of my Wii owning friends picked up a copy at my suggest and all of them love it. One of my friends went as far as saying that ET was one of the best racing games ever made.

The only issue I see with Excite Truck is the lack of feedback on either axis. Whenever you drive a car in real life you have some sort of resistance when you turn and a sharp stop when you have moved the steering wheel to the end of it's rotational abilities. Excite Truck has none of this. It has never really bothered me, but alot of people who I have seen try the game complained about this excessively. My solution to them was sitting down while you play and resting your hands on your lap. This helps control your motions and gives you a centering point.

Unfortunately for me, I can't play the game very much anymore because I beat it 100% and noone else even comes close to competing with me. I am looking forward to an ET2 with more levels (and level variation) and some new (easier to do) tricks.  

[KDR_11k]

Excite Truck: A game for everybody (except Europeans)

[Bill Aurion]

Quote
The only issue I see with Excite Truck is the lack of feedback on either axis. Whenever you drive a car in real life you have some sort of resistance when you turn and a sharp stop when you have moved the steering wheel to the end of it's rotational abilities. Excite Truck has none of this.

There you go!  Arcade racer for the win...

[Adrock]

Quote
pap64 wrote:
I think we can all agree that the game does have a learning curve and it isn't that easy to get into.

I agree with that. My girlfriend, who is a non-gamer, loves the game, but she really sucks at it. At the same time, my brother, a gamer, didn't like the controls. I'm, obviously, also a gamer and I thought the controls could've been tighter though they weren't terrible. The learning curve was just right for me which is good except I've been playing games for almost 20 years (I'll be 23 this year). Excite Truck is a game that anyone can have fun with, but the learning curve could have been less steep for a game supposedly for everyone.  

EDIT: Good call, pap64. I don't preview my posts.

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Adrock

Quote
pap64 wrote:
I think we can all agree that the game does have a learning curve and it isn't that easy to get into.
I agree with that. My girlfriend, who is a non-gamer, loves the game, but she really sucks at it. At the same time, my brother, a gamer, didn't like the controls. I'm, obviously, also a gamer and I thought the controls could've been tighter though they weren't terrible. The learning curve was just right for me which is good except I've been playing games for almost 20 years (I'll be 23 this year). Excite Truck is a game that anyone can have fun with, but the learning curve could have been less steep for a game supposedly for everyone.

You forgot to close the last part of the quote. It looks like you are trying to quote me but at the same time making allusions about me.

Although I agree with the last statement 100%. Simply put, I think Excite truck is not the best example of how driving games are made better on the Wii. Again, not saying that the game is bad or is without its depth (a friend of mine, which happens to be a friend of SB's, LOVES the game to death and mentioned more than once that the game has a depth not seen in normal racing games), I'm saying that it isn't the type of game that proves that racing games are truly the best on the Wii.

I hope that Excite truck 2 fixes that, adds 4 player multiplayer and online gaming. I can forgive the game's flaws because it was a launch title and a first gen title as well. History has taught us that these types of games usually fail to make a point.  

[redgiemental]

I have to say i thought the game was very easy to get into to. I had a little trouble my first race (I kept crashing) and sorta felt like I wasdn't able to steer properly abot halfway through my first race Ireally started to get it and by my second race it was almost second nature. My girlfriend nailed it on her first race! Though she plays her fair share of games too and had watched me play it already so maybe that helped. I thought it was vey easy to learn and get into personally and can't imagine who would hae trouble gettin into it really. Overalll i think its a good choice of game to shos the Wii.

Wii sports would probably be better but Im sure Gamestores dont want people swinging their arms around in thier stores lol.

I had the pleasure of playing this game when I was over in Canada visiting my parents. Its a pity Nintendo hasn't released it yet in Europe I'm dying to play it again it was a blast. My girlfriend is dying to play it too. I guess showing off ExciteTruck workedon us!!

[couchmonkey]

I didn't have any trouble but maybe that's because the game forced me to do the tutorials before I played.  Getting really good at the game does take quite a bit of practice, but I like that about it.  There's a lot of depth there.