STG Review: Wario Land: The Shake Dimension

The following is the first ever Sharpie The Gamer review of a video game. I have some spare time on my hands and I plan to write plenty more of these in the future.

Sure this game has been out for quite some time now but that does not mean it shouldn't warrant a review. In fact most of my reviews will be based on titles that have been circling around for a while so I have a firm understanding of the game and I won't let hype judge my independent decision. In other words I haven't had any money thrown at me to persuade my point of view in the developers/publishers favour. (unlike most major publications today) This is actually my raw opinion which is an advantage for independent bloggers.

The first game up is Wario Land: The Shake Dimension for the Wii. This review is quite detailed and a fair bit of effort was made on this material. So you better BLOODY ENJOY IT! That one pedo who reads this blog i'm talking to you!

Hit the detailed review after the jump...





Wario Land: The Shake Dimension is a modern take on classic 2D platforming gameplay. It is a game that takes direct inspiration from previous old-school titles and incorporates subtle features to adapt it for a new generation of gamers. Strangely enough this game offers an experience that still remains fresh despite the fact it has had so many similar titles in the same genre in past history.

The Shake Dimension is a title that does not try to pretend it is something that it's not. The developers intentions from the beginning was to develop a classic old-school 2D platformer that would trigger nostalgia from many of its players. This is one of the games major strengths and this is an area where it really succeeds.

The games storyline is very basic which is no different from many Nintendo titles through the past 20 years. The game begins in the land of Yuretopia where "The Shake King" magically appears and commits the deed of theft and takes the sacred Bottomless Coin Sack and the Queen with him. Wario is then approached by a pirate named Captain Maple Syrup who persuades him to embark on a quest through 5 worlds to save the queen and restore order in the land. Wario's real intentions though is to take as much treasure as possible which is one of Wario's Cliché roles in the past.

Wario Land is one of the most spectacular looking titles in the Wii's arsenal of games. From the gorgeous level backdrops to the cleverly animated characters, it is all completely hand drawn. Everything is visually stunning and vibrant and if you didn't know any better you would say the game was running in HD. The cutscenes are also splendidly detailed and they follow in the theme of hand drawn animation. The two compliment each other quite nicely.

The one flaw that I found annoying in this department was that while the game was running in widescreen mode the extra screen resolution is hidden with a bunch of icons that don't add anything to the experience. The actual gameplay is constrained to a 4:3 resolution. Wario Land does run in 480p progressive scan mode which is a plus but it is a real shame this game didn't take advantage of the 16:9 widescreen mode.


A lack of a true wide-screen mode is a little disappointing

The controls of Wario Land: The shake dimension are quite straightforward which helps give you the feeling you are playing a retro title. The Wii remote is held on its side and the d-pad controls wario while 2 jumps and 1 offers the standard Wario shoulder charge move. Giving the remote a shake will create a tremble on the screen which will defeat enemies on the screen while also solving certain puzzles if used correctly. Some props and items can be used and manoeuvred by tilting the remote in the desired direction. While the controls are simple and aren't exactly innovative they are responsive and work superbly.

The audio in this game is nothing short of fantastic. Wario Land offers some memorable tunes and songs which are backed by the standard Nintendo flavour. The songs are quite refreshing and they fit the scenery and the rest of the game perfectly. The sound effects are nothing special but they are overwhelmed by the melodies of the sound track anyway.

The level design is very fluent and solid. For a platformer level design is a crucial component and The Shake Dimension does not fall short. There is a large variety in the levels as each level takes place in 1 of 5 continents and the scenery is drastically changed. The game is linear but there are still some puzzles to solve on the way. Nothing overly difficult but hard enough to provide some satisfaction.


Wario Land offers great level design that compliments the controls

Once you have reached the end of the level you are provided with the challenge to make it all the way back to the beginning within a certain time limit. The path is usually slightly altered to provide a bit of variety and it acts as a time trial of sorts. Once you finish that the level is finally finished.

Wario Land isn't exactly a long game. If you complete the game without collecting any treasures or finding any secrets the game should last you approximately a bit more than five hours. That is not to say there isn't any replay value. The game offers you challenges and treasures to find to try entice you to return for a second round. It adds a longer gameplay experience and it is just as fun as playing the standard story for the first time.

Overall Wario Land: The Shake Dimension is a refreshing break from the mainstream genres in the video game industry today. This isn't a game that is trying to innovate. It is a title that is trying to offer a good solid experience that plays on it's own strengths. Wario Land achieves this with fluent game-play, stunning hand drawn graphics and wonderfully designed levels. The lack of a true Wide-screen display was disappointed and the game could have done with a few extra hours added to it's length but they don't detract much from the overall experience. The developers placed plenty of effort in this title and they have pushed this from a decent game to a must buy.

Gameplay: 8/10
Fluent and precise side scrolling action can not be topped.

Graphics: 8/10
Beautifully hand drawn and vibrant graphics almost are HD quality. The lack of a true widescreen mode stopped it from scoring higher.

Sound: 8.5/10
The audio department have offered some memorable tunes that accompany the gameplay perfectly.

Difficulty: 5/10
It is on the easier side but the game still offers a challenge.

Value: 7/10
Wario Land is a short adventure that does offer a reason to replay but it could definitely offer a longer experience.

Overall: 8/10
A fun and beautiful old-school adventure that warrants attention.