ZACK & WIKI! 300k Sold! BUY!!! $29.99 Now! IGN: 9.0! 1UP: 9.0! NP: 9.0! GS: 8.5!

Scrub,

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Console point and click adventure games do pop up from time to time. I for one look for them. I agree that this won't sell like hotcakes unless we all get the word out.

Oh, and I'm preodering this tomorrow. Thanks for a great topic, Zen.
 
[quote name='Legolas813']A lot of adventure fanatics are against JustAdventure+, in my experience. www.adventuregamers.com is a much better option. (This is my personal opinon and preference, though.)

As for adventure games being dead, that's a myth that has been going on for years. There are many PC adventures released every year, it's just that most people outside the small niche adventure community don't pay attention to them.

I run a GameSpot Union about adventure games, by the way. http://unions.gamespot.com/classicadventur[/QUOTE]

Wow I had no idea there was friction between the two sites. I rarely visit either forum. I go in spurts personally. I get a good adventure game in and then that gets me on a kick of adventures for a while... then it switches to a few good consoles games... then by that point the season changes and I get wrapped up in something outdoors, or my house projects etc... Now that winter is coming I am back in the mix and looking for what to play next.

I will check out your union.

Thanks for the info.
 
Preorder bonus from Capcom: "For a limited time receive a free Zack & Wiki™ limited edition 3D lenticular puzzle with purchase." (You do have to pay around $7 for shipping, so it's not really free.)

BUT, it seems to say you can also get the preorder deal from GameStop, though I don't know if it has to be instore, since I see no indication of the bonus on the GameStop website.

"This Zack & Wiki lenticular 3D puzzle is now available as a free gift with purchase of Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaos' Treasure . This is an exclusive offer through Gamestop and the official Capcom Store. There are very limited quantities, so pre-order immediately."

zwpuzzleci3.jpg
 
I don't see the bonus listed on the GameStop website, so you may want to print out the Capcom page and ask your local GameStop B&M about it.
 
From IGN's Wii-k in Review (via GAF - thanks Alkaline!)

Zack and Wiki
- Was supposed to have the exclusive review on Zack and Wiki, but they couldn't complete it - stuck on a really hard puzzle.
- Maybe half-way through the game, and don't have any concerns about the length (about 15 hours).
- Difficulty is great, ramps up as the game progresses. Everytime you step into a new level, you're confronted with more new and unique puzzles.
- Puzzles and controls are lots of fun. Definitely recommend it - will be an editor's choice. Go and preorder it right now. One of the best 3rd party games on Wii. One of the very few Wii games that simply could not be replicated on another console. A "must-have title".
- The puzzles are challenging, you may need to even get help from friends (which you can). "Best designed puzzles in a decade" - probably superior to Zelda. "The quality and consistency of these puzzles is just insane."
- Don't have many complaints - wish they would supply more puzzles through WiiConnect24, sometimes need to use exact motions yet sometimes it's pretty much guess-work, sometimes trial-and-error gameplay might annoy.
- But it's a really good game. Saw the GameInformer review - definitely not a mid-7's game.
- Really smart puzzles and really beautiful (though sometimes framerate takes a dip). The animation is awesome - looks like you're watching a cartoon. Lots of polish and little elements that many other developers would not even think about including. "Insane production values."
- Next week there will be massive coverage of the game.
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[quote name='The Crotch']Guess this moves off of my "maybe" list onto my "order now" list.

fucking expensive next couple of months. If some of the games on my "maybe" list don't turn out to be crap, I might be pretty low on disposable income by the end of the year.

What's this about Zack & Wiki using WiiConnect24, though? 'Cause if the game depends on that, I'm boned.[/quote]
Going to listen to the Wiik In Review right now. I'll get back to you. The puzzles seem mind-bending.

"You should go and pre-order it right now for sure, it's one of the better, maybe in the best third party games I play."

"It's really cool. It's really smart."

"The one that gets me in Zack and Wiki is the fact that you can take pretty much any of these Wii games no matter how innovative they claim to be. Even things like Wii Sports, just any of those games and almost all the stuff out there can be done with any controller. It doesn't really matter that you've got a Wii remote. In the sense of Zack and Wiki, that's not the case at all. There's so many things in that game where you just CANNOT do it unless you've got this crazy, maniputable, I don't even know if that's a word, controller, and be kind of interacting with games in an all new way, which is obviously the reason for Wii's existence. So as a poster child for the Wii, Zack and Wiki is basically a must have title.

"The quality and consistency of these puzzles is just insane."

"Oh God. Insane production values!"

"Some complaints. One of them is going to be is that I wish they would offer them more, more in via downloads, they would have used Wii Connect 24 and we could have gotten more levels to main replay value."

 
Two important things to note is that IGN says the game is very challenging, and even though they were supposed to already have the review up they didn't because they hadn't finished it (couldn't solve some puzzles).
 
My preorder has been placed, looking forward to it. I only hope it's humanly possible to complete both this and Phoenix Wright before Mario Galaxy is out. With Battalion Wars and Guitar Hero in between. Ahhh!
 
[quote name='botticus']My preorder has been placed, looking forward to it. I only hope it's humanly possible to complete both this and Phoenix Wright before Mario Galaxy is out. With Battalion Wars and Guitar Hero in between. Ahhh![/quote]

Don't rush. Savor the moment. ;)
 
[quote name='Zen Davis']Don't rush. Savor the moment. ;)[/quote]Well, luckily it will likely be a fairly easy game to come back to (i.e. I won't be wondering what the hell was going on when I left it). Because unless it absolutely blows my mind, I'll not be putting of Galaxy to finish it.
 
[quote name='Plinko']So is the total length 15 hours or is the halfway length 15 hours? I'm buying it either way, but I'd like to know.[/quote]

They were 15 hours in before IGN got stuck.
 
[quote name='Zen Davis']They were 15 hours in before IGN got stuck.[/quote]Which was approximately halfway, however they gauged that (just clarifying).

9, eh? It begins. Though I await the inevitable 6 from some major outlet.
 
[quote name='The Crotch']What's this about Zack & Wiki using WiiConnect24, though? 'Cause if the game depends on that, I'm boned.[/quote]

I think it was something to the tune of more puzzles downloadable, but I'm not really sure.
 
[quote name='botticus']Which was approximately halfway, however they gauged that (just clarifying).

9, eh? It begins. Though I await the inevitable 6 from some major outlet.[/QUOTE]

EGM, 1up, GI or Gamespot. Take your pick.
 
Since availability in local stores may be sketchy (not listed in ads, not a mainstream title) I decided to pre-order from Amazon. Decided to take them up on their free trial of "Amazon Prime" as well so I could get free two-day shipping.

They process the order, and kick back an "expected ship date" of 10/29. For a game being released on 10/23! Glad they give a free trial of this service, since there's no way I'm going to pay for 2-day shipping that takes 8 days!
 
[quote name='MisterHand']
They process the order, and kick back an "expected ship date" of 10/29. For a game being released on 10/23! Glad they give a free trial of this service, since there's no way I'm going to pay for 2-day shipping that takes 8 days![/QUOTE]

There estimated shipping dates are rarely right. I usually get stuff much faster than they say.

Guess they like to under promise and over deliver rather than vice versa.
 
Well, these reviews coming out, especially IGNs, are really tempting me to get this game. The style didn't seem to be my kind of game, but with the reviewers talking about how its one game that just can't be done on any other system really makes me want to try it. This is what the Wii was made for, and I hope it delivers.
 
Care of sk3tch at GAF, here is the NP review summary:

- Combines clever use of the Wii remote and positively brilliant puzzle design
- Variety is astounding
- Piecing it all together comes with a great sense of satisfaction
- You will be scratching your head with some regularity, the puzzles are never so esoteric to leave you feeling cheated
- Charm to burn; with an energetic sense of humor and an appealing visual style reminiscent of Wind Waker.
- One of the Wii's best-looking titles; not for technical merit but because of the care that went into creating a very complete aesthetic.
- Animation is especially fantastic
- 20+ hours; adventure is plenty long - never, ever drags
- Tons of extra stuff to do.
- Concern about name of game; may not do well at retail because of it.
- Truly deserves to be a big hit
- One of the system's most creative, entertaining titles.
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I pre-ordered this at gamestop I'm hoping they'd get the puzzle in if not that's ok as long as I get this game since it looks pretty fun to play and the screenshots from the game looks pretty good also I really like puzzles so I can't wait to play this game plus the new PW ship date is the 23rd so i'll be picking up that too. ^_^
 
[quote name='Zen Davis']For everyone who doesn't realize it... THIS GAME COMES OUT TOMORROW! YAY![/quote]

No s--t! I didn't realize that. I have been reading the thread the whole time but had no clue it came out so soon. Will it be in stores tomorrow, or not until Wednesday? I live about 30 miles from where a store will have it, so I don't want to go tomorrow if stores won't have it until Wednesday.

I bought TMNT and RE 4 today with that coupon from email. Those will be returned and that money will go to this game. This looks great (silently prays for a Wii Monkey Island also. A Police Quest would be nice to :)).
 
[quote name='schuerm26']No s--t! I didn't realize that. I have been reading the thread the whole time but had no clue it came out so soon. Will it be in stores tomorrow, or not until Wednesday? I live about 30 miles from where a store will have it, so I don't want to go tomorrow if stores won't have it until Wednesday.

I bought TMNT and RE 4 today with that coupon from email. Those will be returned and that money will go to this game. This looks great (silently prays for a Wii Monkey Island also. A Police Quest would be nice to :)).[/quote]Get TMNT for GBA. Plays very similarly to the NES games.

This will be in stores on Wednesday along with Phoenix.
 
Worthy of a double-post.

IGN: 9
http://wii.ign.com/articles/829/829301p1.html

Looks like we have a bonified hit on our hands. They must have been farther than they thought when they got stuck the first time since they claimed to be 15 hours in and halfway through. Now they say it's a little over 15 hours total. Though I suppose 15 hours might not include getting stuck and restarting levels.

Glad it lives up to the hype, yay for replayability/multiple ways to complete puzzles, and hopefully the framerate issues aren't too terrible.

Closing Comments
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure is a dumb name, plain and simple, but don't let that (or the game's seemingly "too kiddie" exterior) deter you from picking it up because this is one of Wii's very best offerings. Not only is it beautiful, taking visual cues from Wind Waker, but it's really clever and equally rewarding. When you solve one of the game's booby-trapped levels, you will absolutely feel like you've accomplished a genuine feat. The puzzles will work your brain over in some cases. Bearing that in mind, Z-Dub would appear to be exactly the opposite of what its name and art style suggest – this is a game for adults and not so much kids, in my opinion.

Z-Dub is not flawless. The title's occasional die-and-retry gameplay challenges will be called cheap or even be cited as poor design by some critics. I can see the point, too, and yet I'm reluctant to make the same critique, for even when I died – and I definitely did die, trust me – I felt compelled to try again (over and over, if the situation called for it). Meanwhile, although I'm very happy with the bulk of Wii remote mechanics, a few gestures seem finicky. Finally, the title would have surely benefited from a smoother fluidity throughout – not to say the framerate is ever unbearable, because it's not, but with so much IR-based pointer functionality in levels, I'd have preferred that everything ran at 60 frames.

All things considered, though, Z&W lives up to the hype that we helped generate. The end product is one of those welcomed surprises – an unpredictably top-quality undertaking whose winning marriage of sometimes-genius environmental puzzles and beautiful graphics will suck you in. It also perfectly encapsulates what I always hope for but seldom see from third parties: an original Wii project that really makes the most of the console. And don’t' forget, Z-Dub retails for $39.99, $10 cheaper than most Wii games.

I've stated it before and I'll happily state it again: buy Zack & Wiki. If you do, maybe we'll get a sequel with twice as many levels and WiiConnect24 support for downloadable levels.
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Another Take
from Mark Bozon
We’ve been covering Z&W for a long time running, and my enjoyment with the game still stems from the same place it always did. Zack & Wiki is an entertaining point-and-click design, but more than that it’s a game that uses the Wii remote in a fashion that sets the entire product apart from anything you can experience on other consoles. With most Wii games thus far it’s as simple as adding waggle or putting IR into an otherwise cookie cutter design – most first party Nintendo games are even guilty of this. With Z-Dub, though, it goes beyond that, as the game asks the user to perform actions that simply can’t be done without the Wii remote. This is the type of engaging, innovative interaction we all imagined when seeing the controller for the first time, and it’s exciting to see a developer that really gets what the system is all about. Even more than Mario Galaxy, Zelda, or Wii Sports, Zack & Wiki delivers an experience that you can only find on Wii.
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Holy crap. I had no idea this was an adventure game in the style of Full Throttle. I'm pretty amazed that I never knew this until I checked out the IGN review. As soon as I get my hands on a Wii, this is going to be my most anticipated title next to Super Mario Galaxy.
 
[quote name='Mr. Pink']I hope more 3rd party developers will take the opportunity of the Wii just like Zack and Wiki did.[/quote]
Only if people are willing to support the game.

If a Wii game comes out with a 9.0 score, which is extremely rare, and the game still manages to bomb, why should 3rd parties be willing to invest any more time and energy into the Wii?

ign-toons-level-72-20071022042636448.jpg
 
[quote name='Zen Davis']Only if people are willing to support the game.

If a Wii game comes out with a 9.0 score, which is extremely rare, and the game still manages to bomb, why should 3rd parties be willing to invest any more time and energy into the Wii?[/quote]Because "mature" gamers will say "Zack & Wiki? What the fuck is this kiddie shit?" While parents will say "Oh, is that the new Disney Saturday Morning cartoon?" and the kids will get pissed off cause it's not. And Capcom won't advertise it even in a friggin' store ad, so know one will know it exists.

I'm hoping it does well because that can only mean good things, but I'm generally not holding my breath. Though I may have to tell every retail employee to recommend this game to shoppers.
 
[quote name='botticus']Because "mature" gamers will say "Zack & Wiki? What the fuck is this kiddie shit?" While parents will say "Oh, is that the new Disney Saturday Morning cartoon?" and the kids will get pissed off cause it's not. And Capcom won't advertise it even in a friggin' store ad, so know one will know it exists.

I'm hoping it does well because that can only mean good things, but I'm generally not holding my breath. Though I may have to tell every retail employee to recommend this game to shoppers.[/quote]

It's pretty much the reason I was emptily bumping this thread earlier even when there wasn't any new information.
 
Buy this and then pray for Space Quest, Police Quest, King's Quest, Quest for Glory, and any other Sierra titles Im forgetting.

Off the subject but the Legend of Kyranida series for the PC were very good adventure games. I wouldn't mind seeing more of those, though it will never happen.

Doesn't the Wii seem like the 100% logical next step for these adventure game companies to make great money?
 
[quote name='schuerm26']Buy this and then pray for Space Quest, Police Quest, King's Quest, Quest for Glory, and any other Sierra titles Im forgetting.

Off the subject but the Legend of Kyranida series for the PC were very good adventure games. I wouldn't mind seeing more of those, though it will never happen.

Doesn't the Wii seem like the 100% logical next step for these adventure game companies to make great money?[/quote]

Wii Ware?
 
[quote name='Plinko']Gamespot review--8.5

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/projecttreasureislandz/review.html[/quote] It hurts me right there that they still have that game filed under Project Treasure Island Z. :whistle2:(

But great review!

All told, Zack & Wiki is a winner. It might not win you over with its characters or story, but it will with its wonderfully crafted puzzles and sharp control mechanics. It's just the sort of game Wii owners have been pining for, the sort of game that blends accessibility and challenge into one seamless whole, and does it without devolving into yet another minigame collection. And best of all? This game is retailing for only $40. If you own a Wii, Zack & Wiki belongs in your collection.
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Ordered it today with my credit at estarland.com. They only took 2 days last time I ordered from them, so hopefully it will be the same with this. I can't wait to try this game out.
 
[quote name='schuerm26']Buy this and then pray for Space Quest, Police Quest, King's Quest, Quest for Glory, and any other Sierra titles Im forgetting.[/QUOTE]

GameTap has many of the Sierra adventure titles, along with adventures from many other companies (though they sadly and notably are missing the LucasArts adventure library). I've made a playlist of all the adventure games on GameTap. The current membership deal is a year of GameTap for the equivalent of less than $5/month.

Back on topic: Zack and Wiki releases tomorrow! Just have to wait for my Amazon order to ship. :)
 
[quote name='Plinko']Gamespot review--8.5[/QUOTE]Gah, this makes me want this game even more now, but I don't know if I can get myself to buy something at retail. Damnit, TRU, why didn't you have your B2G1 this week? :(
 
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