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Wii

North America

World of Goo

by Nick DiMola - October 17, 2008, 1:43 pm EDT
Total comments: 17

10

How did three guys make this game?

On face value, World of Goo seems like a rather bland game that involves building a tower by placing points in 2D space and amounts to nothing more than a stylized 2D physics demo. However, upon further inspection World of Goo proves to be an amazingly deep experience with charm, character, and style.

World of Goo has a fairly simple premise: link together a variety of goo balls to reach the exit pipe. As long as you have the requested number of goo balls remaining unused, they will travel along the structure you've built and out the exit pipe, thus completing the level's goal. Any goo balls that make it to the exit pipe in excess of the goal amount will be shipped off to the World of Goo Corporation, where players can use them to construct the largest tower possible, similar to the original prototype, Tower of Goo.

Thankfully, reaching the exit is never a simple affair and requires efficient use of the level's structure to avoid destroying the goo balls on hazards. In the opening chapter, players are only given access to the black goo balls, which can be linked to a maximum of two other goo balls and can not be moved once placed. In subsequent chapters, players are introduced to other types, such as the green goo balls that can be linked with up to three other goo balls and can be unattached and reused. This ability results in situations where players can "climb" the goo balls up surfaces by constantly rebuilding the goo structure upwards in a narrow opening.

2D Boy has said before that the game couldn't be done anywhere that didn't have access to a pointer, and that proves to be completely true in practice. The game controls quite smoothly with the Wii Remote, allowing players to simply point at the screen and push the A button to grab and hold goo balls. Linking the goo balls to the structure is also a breeze. Holding the pointer near other goo balls will bring up link guidelines, displaying how the structure will look upon placement of the goo ball. Though the game will display the intended structure, it gives no indication of the physical effect on the structure. Placing that particular goo ball may cause the whole tower to tilt, due to the quasi-realistic physics of the game.

As expected, the chapter progression brings harder and more involved challenges that require more tactful usage of the different goo balls. Additionally, each chapter contains a "boss level" that has a goal unlike the other stages of the game. These levels are used to convey a piece of the story and have more abstract goals that are interesting to discover and fun to experiment with.

Simply completing World of Goo will take players on the magnitude of eight to ten hours. Players can then go back and attempt the "OCD" challenges to extend their play time, or build up the highest tower possible in the World of Goo Corporation mode.

To complement the innovative and clever puzzles are amazing production values that surpass those of nearly all retail titles. Most players will immediately connect with the Tim Burton-esque art style, the Danny Elfman-esque music, and the Tim Schafer-esque humor conveyed through the various signs located in each of the levels. The sound effects help bring the goo balls to life; reacting to touch and placement, their sounds also help make the game feel more tangible. The clean cut graphics are a nice touch as well, making the game shine that much brighter. When it comes down to it, even the game's menus are unique and interesting.

Perhaps the most stunning part of World of Goo is the fact that it was created by a team of three people. The game should serve as a guide and an inspiration to independent developers everywhere. Even without a big budget and publisher backing, a stunning game experience can still be produced, particularly within the WiiWare boundaries.

World of Goo should not be passed over by a single gamer. It is easily the best WiiWare game to date and, perhaps, one of the best this generation.

Score

Graphics Sound Control Gameplay Lastability Final
10 10 9 10 10 10
Graphics
10

The clean cut graphics and wacky art style feel like a combination of Tim Burton and Dr. Seuss, providing for an interesting landscape to build your goo structures.

Sound
10

Elfman-esque style continues to give the game an epic soundtrack that sets the tone of the game. The sound effects also complement the art and give the game a tactile feeling.

Control
9

The Wii Remote makes the simple point-and-grab controls easy and accessible. The camera proves to be the only shortcoming of the controls. It is sluggish at times and could've been easily corrected with a sensitivity setting.

Gameplay
10

With the variety of goo balls, simple puzzles, and at times adventure-like gameplay, the game never gets stale and never loses the player's interest. Some levels can be quite challenging or overly abstract, but they tend to serve as a motivator rather than an agitator.

Lastability
10

The eight to ten hour quest is quite sizable for a WiiWare title, and it is extended through the ability to achieve an OCD ranking on each level. The World of Goo Corporation mode lets players build the biggest tower possible, or just fool around with the goo balls, which can be fun for quite a while.

Final
10

It's not often that a game delivers on every front imaginable, but World of Goo manages to do it. The game is pure fun and manages to stay fresh from beginning to end. If you have access to a Wii and the Internet, you know what you need to do…

Summary

Pros
  • Epic music and perfect sound effects
  • Gameplay is addictive, fun, and varied
  • The Sign Painter!
  • Unique and fitting art style
Cons
  • The first chapter is a slow start
Review Page 2: Conclusion

Talkback

vuduOctober 17, 2008

I adore this game.  It's gotten nothing but great reviews everywhere I've seen.  I hope this game isn't overlooked by the masses.

Quote from: Mr.

        Control:  9.0
    The Wii Remote makes the simple point-and-grab controls easy and accessible. The camera proves to be the only shortcoming of the controls. It is sluggish at times and could've been easily corrected with a sensitivity setting.

I have one other minor complaint about the controls.  I sometimes find it difficult to attach a goo ball to others in the exact way I want to.  This mostly comes up with trying to place a goo ball on a concave surface of an existing structure and there are multiple ways it could attach.  It usually only comes up when you need to act quickly because your structure is unstable (or if you're going for a timed-OCD ranking).  I would have liked to see the option to scroll through the multiple ways it could attach using the B button. 

GoldenPhoenixOctober 17, 2008

I agree that is my complaint about the controls, also I wish there was a faster way to scroll in larger levels. Besides that, it is a fantastic game that puts most Wii Ware to shame

AVOctober 17, 2008

i see this game and the great reviews but i don't get it. I guess its a game unless you play you don't get. I don't get it. I fear i will buy this game and it won't be up to greatness everyone says, or if it is great it won't be my type of game. I'm not into starcraft so it doesn't matter how many 10's it gets I don't get RTS games like that so similar to this all the great reviews can come but I don't think I will like it.

Being a college student using 80% of my money on paying down debt, 10% on dates with girls 5% on food that tiny % of extra money has to be spent on something I KNOW FOR A FACT I WILL ENJOY. So no buy for me.

MarioOctober 17, 2008

Terrible post. Just watch a video of the game or something geez.

FamicomOctober 17, 2008

Quote from: Mr.

i see this game and the great reviews but i don't get it. I guess its a game unless you play you don't get. I don't get it. I fear i will buy this game and it won't be up to greatness everyone says, or if it is great it won't be my type of game. I'm not into starcraft so it doesn't matter how many 10's it gets I don't get RTS games like that so similar to this all the great reviews can come but I don't think I will like it.

Being a college student using 80% of my money on paying down debt, 10% on dates with girls 5% on food that tiny % of extra money has to be spent on something I KNOW FOR A FACT I WILL ENJOY. So no buy for me.

Or you could check out the 32MB PC demo.

Quote from: Mario

Terrible post. Just watch a video of the game or something geez.

Actually, Mario, THIS is a terrible post.

What a glowing review. I may give this game reconsideration. I'll check out the demo--thanks for the link, Famicom.

Quote from: Mr.

Being a college student using 80% of my money on paying down debt, 10% on dates with girls 5% on food that tiny % of extra money has to be spent on something I KNOW FOR A FACT I WILL ENJOY. So no buy for me.

By this logic, it's impossible for you to buy any game without first playing it.  In that case, you should try the PC demo or visit a friend who has already downloaded it on WiiWare to try it out there.

MarioOctober 18, 2008

Quote from: TheYoungerPlumber

Quote from: Mario

Terrible post. Just watch a video of the game or something geez.

Actually, Mario, THIS is a terrible post.

What a glowing review. I may give this game reconsideration. I'll check out the demo--thanks for the link, Famicom.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

Infernal MonkeyOctober 18, 2008

Quote from: Mr.

i see this game and the great reviews but i don't get it. I guess its a game unless you play you don't get. I don't get it. I fear i will buy this game and it won't be up to greatness everyone says, or if it is great it won't be my type of game. I'm not into starcraft so it doesn't matter how many 10's it gets I don't get RTS games like that so similar to this all the great reviews can come but I don't think I will like it.

Being a college student using 80% of my money on paying down debt, 10% on dates with girls 5% on food that tiny % of extra money has to be spent on something I KNOW FOR A FACT I WILL ENJOY. So no buy for me.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=242;type=avatar

AVOctober 18, 2008

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

Quote from: Mr.

Being a college student using 80% of my money on paying down debt, 10% on dates with girls 5% on food that tiny % of extra money has to be spent on something I KNOW FOR A FACT I WILL ENJOY. So no buy for me.

By this logic, it's impossible for you to buy any game without first playing it.  In that case, you should try the PC demo or visit a friend who has already downloaded it on WiiWare to try it out there.

NONE of my friends have Wii. My family members who do have a Wii they don't regularly download games and I live 1-5 hours away from them. I have a mac so I PC demo - NO WORK. They will make a Mac version but its ready yet.

It seems like a great amazing game but just because I'm skeptical and cautious doesn't mean everyone can flame me. I don't know if this is my type of game and I'm low on money so this is a gamble which right now I am not willing to take. What is wrong with that ?  I have watched videos and it seems like an interesting concept but not something that screams to me "must buy". It seems like a great amazing game but just because I'm skeptical and cautious doesn't mean everyone can flame me.

DasmosOctober 18, 2008

Brilliant review. I can't say I have disagreed with any of Mr. Jack reviews. The guy is a champ.

Quote from: TheYoungerPlumber

Quote from: Mario

Terrible post. Just watch a video of the game or something geez.

Actually, Mario, THIS is a terrible post.

What a glowing review. I may give this game reconsideration. I'll check out the demo--thanks for the link, Famicom.

I'm pretty sure he was talking about Mad V's post.

My only complaint is that this isn't coming to PAL territories for a while. Also that it isn't coming as Wii Ware, but Real Ware.

ToruresuOctober 18, 2008

I think I'll get this game next week when I get more Wii points.

Quote from: Mr.

It seems like a great amazing game but just because I'm skeptical and cautious doesn't mean everyone can flame me.

I didn't flame you; I made a practical suggestion that you try to play the game if you are so skeptical.

steveyOctober 18, 2008

compared to MM9 which is a better buy? I only have enough wii points for one (why the hell is this game 1500 points! :@)

GoldenPhoenixOctober 18, 2008

Quote from: stevey

compared to MM9 which is a better buy? I only have enough wii points for one (why the hell is this game 1500 points! :@)

I would say World of Goo because you get a pretty lengthy experience, with a really fresh idea.

I need to stop being nice to my friends, if I hadn't gifted so many VC games recently I'd be able to afford this.

Just bought this today.
Whoa. This is awesome.

All in all I've had a great week for video games. I've fallen in love with Wario Land, de Blob, and now World of Goo. Tetris Party awaits my affection (hopefully) tomorrow.

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Genre Puzzle
Developer 2D Boy
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: World of Goo
Release Oct 13, 2008
Publisher2D Boy
RatingEveryone
eu: World of Goo
Release Dec 19, 2008
Publisher2D Boy
Rating3+

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