Destroy All Humans: Big Willy Unleashed
Score: 65% ESRB: Teen Publisher: THQ Developer: LocoMotive Games Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Third Person Shooter/ Free-Roaming
Graphics & Sound: Destroy All Humans: Big Willy Unleashed is the first game in the series not developed by Pandemic and the change shows. While it isn't a horrible game by any means, it also doesn't come together as well as previous titles. Overall, the game looks like it was developed with the PSP in mind rather than the Wii. Environments are blocky and textures are washed out and really flat. The same goes for everything that populates the environment. While you would expect humans and other disposable entities to feature fewer details, even the game's two biggest stars, Crypto and Big Willy look bad. On the plus side, the lighting and other special effects (like explosions) look good, as does the animation. Sound is one of the presentation's saving graces. Like past games, the soundtrack is a mix of 70's music and a few original tracks that go with the original's "50's alien invasion" theme. The voicework is as good as ever, and even though the jokes aren't quiet as funny as in the previous two games, the delivery still works.
Gameplay: Destroy All Humans: Big Willy Unleashed finds Crypto and Pox stuck in 1970's America. After other attempts at world conquest, Pox has decided to take over the world by starting a chain of burger joints called Big Willy's. Of course, not everyone is happy about Pox's willingness to serve humans (think about it...), so heiress Patty Wurst and Colonel Kluckin' have made it their goal to stop Pox's new business venture, making it Crypto's job to make sure Pox succeeds. Gameplay is similar to past games in nearly every aspect. Crypto is turned loose in an open world city and given missions by Pox. Missions are usually in the "destroy this" or "destroy that" category; though most just seem like a way to fit in as many "Big Willy" jokes in as possible. Past games weren't that great from a gameplay standpoint, but the game's sense of humor was good enough to make up for other shortcomings. Continuing a slide that began with the second game, Big Willy Unleashed isn't nearly as funny and replaced the original's wit with nothing but really bad, overdone sexual innuendo. Getting back on track, the play area seems like it reduced, so there's little room for exploration. While it is still fun to go on rampages throughout the city, the areas aren't big enough that you can lose yourself. Even rampages aren't as much fun since there are fewer people on the street. When it comes to missions, earlier ones are pretty entertaining, but eventually you're just doing the same thing. Some are also really short or not all that interesting in the first place. There's also a two-player variant where you and a friend can either compete over beacons or defend a restaurant against increasing numbers of attackers. Neither mode is interesting and feels like it was slapped on just so the game could claim multiplayer functionality.
Difficulty: Expect to repeat missions multiple times, though not because of anything the game throws at you. While there are a few tricky missions, most are straightforward and not that difficult. Most missions are just variations of the same mission types that pop up in nearly every game. In one humorous section, Crypto even complains about how much fetch quests suck - a sentiment that is easy to agree with. Instead, much of the game's difficulty is a direct result of the game's controls. The setup isn't much different than other shooters on the system, but the controls aren't nearly as responsive. Most of the motions are kept in check and work, though one or two feel a little awkward.
Game Mechanics: Controls aren't a complete mess, but aren't very responsive either. The analog stick on the Nunchuk is used to move Crypto while the Wii-mote aims and performs other weapon-specific actions. When things work right, you'll be able to blast, probe and electrify humans as well as use a few new weapons, like a gun that turns people into zombies. You can also use Crypto's Furon abilities to hypnotize people or throw them across town with a flick of the wrist. Even though the general setup makes a lot of sense, there's an awkward sluggishness that ruins what would otherwise be a fun use of the Wii's special capabilities. Big Willy sequences are actually one of the game's real high points. You're able to jump into any Big Willy statue in the game and begin your rampage. You can throw cars and other objects around or, if your health gets low, you can eat pedestrians. When using either of the game's two vehicles (you can also use Crypto's flying saucer) the controls remain similar except that the Wii-mote is used to control the camera by twisting the remote like a doorknob. Unlike the other motion-based controls it always work, though it is a bit disorienting. Destroy All Humans: Big Willy Unleashed is hard to recommend, even if you enjoyed the last two games. There are a few things to like about the game, but there are better experiences available on the Wii.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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