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Game: Art Style: Rotozoa (WiiWare)
Site rating: 7.83/10 (4)
This game is a prime example of what a WiiWare title should be. Given its huge limitations, titles on the service should not try to emulate full retail releases, but rather be simple, original and straight-up fun concepts executed well. Take a game like Jett Rocket for example. While it is a great game, in the end it just makes you wish it were a retail game so it could look better, last longer, and be overall bigger.
But then there are games which don't need to be bigger, and so are perfect for WiiWare. The Art Style games are a good example of that. There's five of them already, all very good, however one of them stands as easily the best: Art Style Rotozoa.
In the game you control that ... thing with tentacles you see in the picture above, maneuvering it around ... somewhere with the d-pad, and twsiting it clockwise with the 2 Button, and counter-clockwise with the 1 button. The goal of each stage is to collect as many "pieces" of the tentacles as you're told in the beginning (for example, in the first stage you have to collect 10 yellow pieces and 10 red pieces). Then 15 of each, and so on. Touching a piece with the appropriate color adds it to your tentacle, and touching it with the wrong color destroys your whole tentacle. You start out with two tentacles of different colors, and by the end you'll have five.
So basically, you have to move and twist around to collect little orbs, and avoid touching orbs with the wrong color. That's it. Sounds simple? Well, guess what, it is. But it's that special kind of simple that completely hooks you. It's so easy to understand, yet as the levels progress and you have more tentacles it gets very hard so you don't lose interest.
You know those kinds of games where you get so "into" them yet they're so simple you're almost playing on auto-pilot? Hypnotized, even? Like Tetris or Pac-Man, for example. Well Rotozoa is also like that. Music is nice and atmospheric and the graphics are simple yet stylish. It won't "wow" you, but it's very appealing. Like all Art Style games.
Regardless of what kind of games you like, you should try this out. And while you're at it, you should try out every Art Style game. But this one first, as it's easily the best. |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 15:36:36 |
- Edited by |
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In before Simbabbad!
Interesting take on the game. I've played and enjoyed every other Wii Art Style game thus far, so I'll have to try this one out for myself, for sure. The mechanics sound like they are similar to Rotohex, which I enjoyed. |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 15:50:49 |
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I have yet to try this game. I know some people don't like it, but it really seems like a concept that would appeal to me. |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 16:24:49 |
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Yeah, I'm tempted to download this. It definitely seems like it's one of those love it or hate it type games.
Also, it sounds and looks a lot like flOw on the PSN, a game that I got for free and is kind of fun for about an hour tops. Can anyone who has played both games comment if they are indeed similar and which is better? |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 16:41:47 |
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What the what? Easily the best Art Style game??? More like EASILY THE WORST!
Seriously, this is a game that stands on its basic mechanics, since there is no level design, no items, no progression, no different types of enemies, no puzzle mechanic, no nothing.
And... those basic mechanics are clunky. You have no analog control of your tentacles, and you have no analog control of your thing. The result is a lack of comfort, precision, and, well, general control.
Seriously, compared with the depth and innovation and originality of most of the other Art Style games, opinions aside, it's certainly not "easily the best" of the series. |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 17:01:26 |
- Edited by |
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Well, I found it to be the most enjoyable. Cubello and Light Trax come close. Rotohex and Orbient are pretty boring. |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 17:17:35 |
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What's the only way to solve this, again? Can't remember.
Oh yeah: a fight to the death.
Or was it that we need to burn both of you at the stake, and the flames will spare the righteous?
I need to brush up on this stuff. |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 18:19:33 |
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@Pandareus
I think it's about you buying the game, playing it, writing a review, and we'll see which one of us is right.
The loser gets banned, of course. |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 18:48:21 |
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That doesn't work though, because I'm already banned. The power of Rotozoa allows me to post regardless |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 18:50:54 |
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@Simbabbad Well, there is one item, the uber spinny thing. Unfortunately, once you get to the last few stages, your ONLY reasonable path for beating them is to run around waiting for the item to drop. Actually there are two items, if you count the health item.
I guess I'm in between you and Gelatinous. I got my fun out of it, but ultimately enjoyed Orbient much more. And Light Trax as well, though I haven't had much time to crack into that one yet.
Yes, I did indeed 7.9 Rotozoa... |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 19:39:56 |
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Orbient will most likely always remain at the top of my favorite Art Style games, or even WiiWare games for that matter, but Rotozoa is an easy second. I had a feeling I'd like the game when it was first announced, but once I had the chance to download and play it, I was amazed. Granted, the soundtrack alone made the game for me, but just about every aspect thrilled me. Much like Orbient, I couldn't put it down. In place of having the heightened desire to collect each crescent moon, I wanted to complete each level unscathed, without ever using the cyclone power-up, and to finish each level as quickly as I could. This urge doesn't present itself within me much anymore. The dynamic music kept me so focused on progressing well and damage free, that I was able to glide through some levels with ease. Not all by any means, of course. Some remain blemished by imperfection. Endless mode is chaotic, but fun, and a welcomed experience to be certain. And there are varying enemies, and the game does allow for analog play using both of the classic controller's analog sticks (unless I'm weirdly mistaken). That being said, I liked using the digital pad/Wii remote sideways, myself. It kept things from being too confusing. Anyway, the game is simply wonderful and I couldn't recommend it enough. I'm actually surprised to read of any negative comments directed its way. Not that any game isn't due its share of healthy criticism, only that I was under the impression that the game was an instant classic. I guess not. So far my Art Style list of favorites is: Orbient, Rotozoa, Cubello, light trax, and Rotohex. Not that anyone asked.  |
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Posted: 27/07/10, 21:26:31 |
- Edited by |
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