Just how much of a workload can Platinum Games take this year? It’s not even the end of January and we’ve already seen one release from the developer – Sega’s long-awaited multiplayer brawler Anarchy Reigns – and there’s already another game on deck for next month, Konami’s action-packed Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. And then there’s Bayonetta 2, the Wii U exclusive sequel that will once again put the leather-clad heroine back in action against a demon army.
Despite all this in their itinerary, Platinum Games has room for one more quirky game in their line-up. But this isn’t just another typical actioner, this is one that focuses on a certain style of hero. Or, in this case, one hundred and one.
The Wonderful 101, previously known as Project P-100, is a game that’s right up there in zany style as Platinum’s previously produced Viewtiful Joe games (back when they were known as Clover Studio). The game utilizes the Wii U GamePad in a number of innovative, quirky ways, while at the same time delivering the kind of unprecedented gameplay that Platinum is usually known for delivering. It does take a little bit of figuring out, but nothing that will get in the way of your enjoyment.
The game has you playing as a group of unlikely superheroes battling an evil race of aliens. These aren’t Superman and Batman, mind you, but regular folk who step up to keep their planet safe, including Bonzai Man, Vending Machine Man and Toilet Bowl Man. (Yes, there’s a hero called Toilet Bowl Man.) They find themselves having to work together in order to build up energy to face stronger opposition, through the power of transformation.
There are some slight elements of Pikmin at play here, as you struggle to keep your group together and try not to lose your strength in numbers fighting against stronger enemies. (Fortunately, they don’t wander off too far, so you don’t have to worry about picking them back up.) But strategy takes a back seat most of the time to straightforward action, as you’ll chip away at enemies with smaller group attacks before pulling out the bigger guns (and swords and glowing fists) to really deliver the damage.
The heroes start out with a basic energy level, but as they combat enemies, they begin to charge up – sort of like batteries, in a way. This swarm is able to collectively gather said energy, and then, once activated, channel it into super attacks. And you can choose which particular objects you’ll want to use, depending on the situation at hand.
You summon the attacks by drawing figures on the touch-screen, when prompted. These can vary, either with a sword (by drawing a straight line), a fist (drawing a circle) or a gun (drawing an L shape). Once conjured, your energy kicks in and you can swat away at enemies using your weapon of choice, even forming combos to get extra hits on them.
There are three things you should know when it comes to creating attacks. First off, the more heroes you have, the stronger they come off. Fighting a guy with a ten-man sword isn’t nearly as recommended as doing so with one consisting of 50, as it has a better range and, in some cases, power. So you’ll want to make sure you have enough heroes with you for your chosen attack to take effect.
Secondly, if you hate drawing on the touch-screen, or don’t need a distraction from the beat-em-up action, the right analog stick is a serviceable substitute, letting you draw your shapes with a few thumb motions. Again, this takes practice, as it’s a different process, but you’ll get into it by the time the bigger aliens appear on-screen, so the game never feels like it’s overwhelming.
The third, and this is most important, is that sometimes there’s more than one enemy that appears on the screen, and just because you’re combo attacking one doesn’t mean you’re invulnerable to the other. It’s vital that you keep an eye on all your foes, as some are cannons that can easily damage your group, while others have a greater range with their attacks. You need to watch both and figure out your plan before you jump into battle, lest you dwindle down your group to a select few.
Exploration also plays a small part in Wonderful 101. When you’re not fighting, you’re making your way through the world with your troop. Some platforms can be easily accessed – even when it feels like the city’s crumbling beneath your feet – while others require you to hold up the GamePad to seek out hidden areas, and sometimes bonus hero goodies. All of this manages to come together rather nicely, creating an experience that is right up Platinum Games’ alley. No wonder Nintendo likes working with them…
Though a specific release date hasn’t been given yet, The Wonderful 101 isn’t too far off from release, as it’s due sometime this spring. We’ll check back on its progress and look into further transformations with a follow-up strategy preview. Until then, you can always rely on Toilet Bowl Man!
