So, the tour made it through my school (University of Pittsburgh) yesterday, so I had a chance to get in some good play time with it. I think the easiest way to set this up will be a pros and cons list.
Overall Pros:
--I was very surprised by how little it was. The console itself was very compact, and while the color won't exactly blend in with the rest of my entertainment setup like black would have, nothing about the console was too obtrusive, either.
--I was also surprised by the graphics. I went in with low expectations since there's no official specs and it's known that the Wii is only a slight step above last generation, but everything looked good. I didn't play all of the games (just Wii Tennis, Boxing, and Excite Truck), but from what I saw they all looked good and were running smooth. Excite Truck was especially nice to look at. Granted, I've seen better on the 360, but the divide between Wii's graphics and the 360/PS3 does not seem to be as big as some were fearing. I don't think we'll see any huge differences for at least two years, when developers finally tap into the 360 and PS3's full potential. But even then I think the Wii will hold it's own.
--The games were fluid and looked good. Tennis and Boxing were quick games to get into a fun to play. Perfect for the setup. I wanted a little more time with Excite Truck, simply because it is an actual "game" game and had a bit more substance to it. But whatever. I'm not really interested in that game anyway.
--The controllers were tethered to the kiosks, and it really didn't hinder the experience. With this in mind it kinda makes you wonder why there won't be very many kiosks around at launch.
--the sensor bar for the controller is not bulky at all and looks like it could easily fit just about anywhere you have space for it.
Overall Cons:
--All of the games seemed too simple. Granted, I don't consider myself a hardcore gamer (it's been a while since I've played any) and the games WERE fun, but the WiiSports games I played all lacked any real substance to hold my interest. They were a little TOO pick up and play. I'm not a fan of the design style of WiiSports, it looks pretty at first but then the lack of any details other than the fact that my opponent was a different color becomes apparent after a while. I'd have needed more time with them to come up with a more accurate opinion, but everything was a little too bland and simple. There didn't seem to be any stats or anything to fool around with. Excite Truck is obviously an exception but even that game was a little too easy to get into. I know it was just a trial experience to feel what the Wii is all about, but I have the feeling that I would have the same complaint if I were playing it at home. WiiSports is fun from what I played, but it definitely isn't a stand alone game, and I don't think Nintendo should feel like it's doing us any favors by including it with the system. I just think they realize it wouldn't sell that well if they didn't. Heck, when my turn was over I wasn't really all that bummed like I'd usually be over other games for other systems in the past, that's how much of an impression it didn't leave on me. And it wasn't even long into the event before the kiosk for Bowling was empty because nobody really wanted to play it. Frankly, if this is the style Nintendo is going for to attract a new market, I'm not at all impressed.
--Experiencing the Wii with those CRAPPY bands in the background.
Overall, I'm happy with the Wii as a console, and I'll be picking one up come launch. It definitely could have showed a little better, but the potential was apparent. Now the Controller is a completely different entity, because I couldn't quite place it on either list. There are some good things about it, and some bad.
Controller Pros:
--Does bring a new experience to gaming. Not a defining one, but it is different. WiiSports would be a piss-poor excuse for a game if it weren't for the controller. And the control scheme for Excite Truck itself is enough to keep you busy. None of those games really made a strong case for the controller (WiiSports would be nothing without it, yes, but in my opinion that's just because WiiSports isn't much of a game), but in the right hands (and if the kinks I mention in the cons list get worked out), I definitely see the controller WOWIING people in the future.
--None of the games required much in the way of wild arm gestures, but the nunchuck attachment didn't get in the way at all, and I don't see that being much of a problem in the future.
Controller Cons:
--Despite what Nintendo says, there IS a learning curve. I was a little surprised by just how much. I was expecting there to be a little time needed for adjustment as it is a completely new way to play, and I did eventually get the mechanics of it (the lack of space definitely meant small wrist flick gestures were preffered over wild arm movements), but it took a little longer than even I was expecting, and the controller isn't really as responsive as people seem to think it is. I didn't get a hang of Wii Tennis until about two seconds before my game was over, and by 'get a hang of' I mean 'know what the hell I'm doing.' People expecting to just pick it up and have it feel like a new limb are going to be disappointed. If Nintendo thinks my grandparents and my younger and non-gaming sisters are just going to pick this controller up and have the time of their lives, I think they're going to be disappointed, too. This grand vision Nintendo has of gamers fighting with their grandparents for Wii time and little popular high school girls walking around with Wii controllers in designer gloves hanging from their purses is really farfetched. If I ever get these two groups (my grandparents and sisters) to even give the Wii a chance, after playing it myself I totally see them just going "what the hell?" and throwing the controller back at me. I had the patience to learn the controller because I'm a gamer: I like the challenge of games. I don't see the rest of my non-gamer family having the patience because, well, they're non-gamers and don't like the challenge of games.
--I don't know what the deal was, but everything I played seemed to have like a half-second lag. The controller was always one step behind me, and I found myself having to swing with the remote about a split second before I would have had to push a button if whatever game I was playing was on a standard controller. This was annoying. I'm hoping Nintendo works this out before launch, because this could potentially be a VERY major issue (because if Nintendo's games have this problem I KNOW third party games will have this problem x10). Again with the controller not lending itself to the just pick up and play experience.
--The controller isn't much to look at. Those glossy press shots are misleading, in real life the controller is just your standard white plastic, awkward looking remote.
--It's not very comfortable to hold. It's a little on the small side. At first I thought it was just me, as I am 6'5 and my hands reflect that, but my smaller friend (he's about 5'4) was the first to make the comment. The squared edges keep the controller from comfortably fitting in your hand. The button positioning also pretty much limits gamers (and game developers) to the d-pad at the top of the controller when holding it as a pointer, it would just be too damn awkward having to shift the entire controller to hit the x and y buttons. Hell, even access to the A button wasn't as fluid as I'm sure most would want it to be. The lack of accessible buttons means Nintendo is relying heavily on the motion sensing to pick up the slack, but if they don't iron those kinks out, I see this being another major problem.
Overall I have to say that I'm not too happy with the controller, which is sad because I had high hopes for it. There's plenty of potential there, but I also think that people are going to be a bit surprised by how not perfect it is. There's a lot about it that needs to be worked out, and a few things that I think Nintendo just got wrong and they better pray it doesn't prove to be a major screw-up. Will it change gaming as we know it for the better? Can't tell from the little bit I've played it. But as I said, if they iron those kinks out, I do think it'll bring something fun and different to gaming, if not change it completely.
Topic: Official Fusion Tour Wii Impressions Thread (Read 17163 times)
