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Originals

Wallace and Gromit in Project Zoo

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Posted by: kombo

Having seen a few of the Wallace & Gromit films I approached this game with a limited knowledge of the characters. Much to my happy surprise, I can honestly say that the game was a gem. “Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo” features many of the colorful characters from the films (Feathers McGraw for example) in an all new adventure in which you control the action. Feathers McGraw, the stoic penguin, has taken all of the baby zoo animals hostage to coerce the parents into working for him in his diamond making schemes. Sounds evil doesn’t it? It’s actually very funny. For the record, I don’t like cheese, I don’t like Monty Python movies (gasp!), I don’t say “bloke” or “chap” and I definitely don’t call soccer football. However, I will happily admit that I loved this game. I imagine that people reading this review will fall into two categories; A) Wallace & Gromit fans or 2) really, really bored. Luckily this review will satisfy both types of people. Features • 6 Sizable levels • 24 missions • 12 mini arcade games • Plenty of challenging bonus missions • And some of the best humor this side of the “pond” Gameplay Use your whatchamacallit to fix the whowhatsit and activate the whifflewacker. This game is nutty. Seriously, this game is full of nuts. No, I mean it. The majority of the time you will be collecting nuts and bolts to fix some broken down machine or control panel. Sure, this may sound like another “collect X amount of coins to proceed” platformer, but I assure you it is not. To be honest, the level objectives are very formulaic. Collect nuts, bolts and tools to fix aforementioned machines and overcome obstacles, free three captive animals, fight a boss and proceed to the next level to do it again. Sound simple? Sure, it is. It’s that same simplicity that will make you feel like a complete dolt when you die trying to complete and objective or trying to get a coin that is just out of reach. Whistle while you work. In your quest to save the animals Wallace will equip his mighty mutt with a variety of inventions and useful items ranging from a banana shooter, a porridge gun, spring boots to a coal flinger. In fact, Wallace trails along behind Gromit as the traverses the levels. If Wallace falls far behind, Gromit needs only whistle to his obedient master and he comes running. (Hey what’s good for the goose…) However, make sure that he doesn’t fall too far behind because a majority of the puzzle requires team work. Essentially you will collect enough bolts to fix a machine, whistle for Wallace and he will come to fix it (within 30 minutes or less or the job is free). While the gameplay may sound like its “geared” (pun intended) towards a younger audience, some of the challenges will send some seasoned gamers running away with their tail between their legs. Mind you, the game is not super difficult (though it is challenging) but if you want that extra film clip or absolutely, positively must collect everything there is to collect in a level, be prepared to die a few times. Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Aside from Wallace’s fancy gadgetry, Gromit will need to use many of the moves in his arsenal of canine karate to dispatch his enemies. Aside from the standard punch and kick, Gromit can break dance, do a falling smash maneuver (with pinky to mouth, a “dog pound” perhaps?), sneak and do a variety of acrobatic moves (one of which is a Matrix like wall flip). Admittedly none of this may sound new and innovative, but truth be told, the game rarely is. So, if you really think about it, this “dog” didn’t learn any new tricks. What’s up, dog? No, really, Gromit, what’s up there? Much like 90% of platformers out there, camera issues take its toll on the gameplay. Though you can swivel the camera to and fro with the right thumb-stick or center it with the left trigger, the camera rarely focuses on where you need it. Attempts to move the camera into position will usually yield frustrating results. One second the camera is right where you need it, the next it will move back to where it was before (usually behind some wall or rock laughing at your frustration). Unfortunately the bonus levels’ ramped up difficulty is further increased by the shoddy camera. With time, though, the camera’s problems are a little less noticeable and the game gets a bit easier. Graphics Looks like a blue ribbon show dog to me. The guys at bam! Entertainment did a phenomenal job at capturing the claymation look of the Wallace & Gromit shorts. Not only are you treated to shirt clips from movies as unlockable bonuses, but the graphics during actual gameplay (which are far better than the CG cutscenes) retain the same 3-dimensional look and charm of the original series. Not only do the two title characters look just like the clay models in the film series, but the world they inhabit also maintain the same standard of quality animation. In keeping with Nick Park’s style, the character animation also retains the fluidity (and oft awkward) movements one would expect to see in the Wallace & Gromit shorts. Add to all that some impressive lighting effects, particularly noticeable in the lava stages, and you’ve got yourself one pretty little dog. Expect to see it all, oversized hands, lack of mouths, crazy creative contraptions and a great deal of porridge. Why didn’t Wallace just make a rocket pack? While the levels are rather sizable, they don’t sprawl out for acres and acres. Instead, the levels are designed to take advantage of the platform gameplay by building vertically (that’s upwards for all you geniuses out there) rather than horizontally. Though beautifully decorated with wildlife, vegetation, and very stylized scenery, they do tend to get rather thick at times. Finding your way around them, could prove difficult, so make sure to approach the game with some amount of patience and a will to explore. In fact, you will find that exploration will yield plenty of hours of fun. Sound You’re barking up the wrong tree if you want high quality sound from this game. In all honesty, this is probably the game’s most unimpressive quality, though it wasn’t bad. While traversing through each level, the music does its best to accommodate the on-screen action. During particularly stealthy sequences, the volume will drop and a “sneaky” tune will fill the background. During more action packed sequences faster, suspenseful music full of “thumps” and “wallops” intensifies the action. While the music works very much so like a musical score to a movie, the music itself is not very good. How about the voicing? Luckily the game retains the same quality voice acting as the famed animated shorts. Though, some of Wallace’s statements can get about as repetitive as Madden commentary, it is certainly more creative and coherent. In fact, Wallace’s comments usually tend to be very funny… and cheese related. One might say they are “cheesy”. Replay Take the dog out for a walk then put him in his cage. Replay value really depends on what kind of player you are. If you absolutely, positively must collect every single coin, hidden objective and complete every bonus level, then you will definitely come back for more. However, if you don’t really care about all that gravy, then you’ll play this once through and be happy. If you are one of those anal must-get-everything players though, you will be happy to find that there are a healthy amount of unlockable tidbits to enjoy. Everything from insanely difficult bonus levels to making of the game documentary to plenty of clips from past and future Wallace & Gromit films, all make return trips to the dog house worthwhile. Overall Admittedly, I wasn’t a huge fan of Wallace and Gromit to begin with. However, I can happily admit that after playing through the game I have a newfound appreciation for the two clay characters. Their entire world reeks of charm, wit and undeniable humor. For fans of the series, this game will surely find a place among their Wallace and Gromit collection. For non-fans, this game just might make you one. Approach it with an open mind on an uneventful evening and you just might crave some wensleydale by the time you put down the controller. Fernando Bueno
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