There have been tons of casual games
dumped onto the Wii of late, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop. Of
course, there is nothing in the world wrong with this, it’s Nintendo’s business.
But what happens when shareware games take root on the Wii, and suddenly the
price of those once-cheap games jumps up to $20, $30, and even $40? Well, Luxor:
Pharaoh’s Challenge is just such a game. Developer Mumbo Jumbo’s port of the PSP
game retains all of the classic gameplay – which is still fun; but is there
enough to justify spending 40 big ones?
Luxor, if you are unfamiliar, is a
simple puzzle game that uses an Egyptian theme. Balls of varying color stream
across the screen like a train, and you, the player, fire colored balls, trying
to match them into 3’s or more. It’s fun, especially when you get in the zone
and start scoring power-ups and chaining reactions. It uses the paddle and
firing elements of Brickout, but the color, matching, and chain reaction
elements of Planet Puzzle League. It’s a good game, but it’s one to play in
bursts – it certainly won’t hold your attention long.
There are a few interesting new
modes added, like Endless Tomb, which keeps you on one level, but slowly amps up
the difficulty as you progress; or Adventure mode, which actually tells a
narrative from Egyptian lore; and even the power-ups that are upgradeable as you
increase your score. There are a number of instant power-ups, like Slow Motion
and Color Bomb, that spice up the gameplay a bit, and blessings that can be
activated to enhance your adventure for the long haul. Should you feel so
compelled, you could also collect all of the badges you’re awarded – of course,
show them off to your friends.
While the visual style is
interestingly an Egyptian theme, the graphics are very uninteresting. While I
understand they wanted the ancient, worn look, the aesthetic as a whole is just
drab and washed out and doesn’t have a visual pop, like Planet Puzzle League.
The controls of the game are Ok and use the IR to move the paddle. Other than
that, don’t expect any waggle. Also, for some reason, the 1 button is used to
pause the game. Not the Plus or Minus – no, the 1, the most awkward button to
reach on the Wii Mote.
Well, that’s it – that’s the game.
What, did you expect multiplayer, or Wi-Fi so that you can compare your scores
or battle world-wide? Maybe you wanted more modes or themes? Sorry, none of that
is here. Oh, did I mention this game is $40. This game would receive a higher
score if it were $20, or more reasonably $10. And as a critic, I cannot
recommend to anyone that they spend this amount of money for such an
underwhelming game. You can download a demo of Luxor and get the same experience
– one that doesn’t cost 40 big ones.
Review Scoring Details for Luxor: Pharaoh’s Challenge |
Gameplay: 5.0
The most basic IR is used here. It would have been nice to see some new,
innovative uses of the Wii Mote for this familiar game.
Graphics: 4.5
Basic, pre-rendered backgrounds play on an Egyptian theme. The colors are
slightly washed out, though.
Sound: 5.0
Basic Egyptian music and marble “klinks.” Oh, and the occasional wolf howl.
Difficulty: Medium
It can get hard, especially in later levels.
Concept: 2.5
We’ve seen this game many times, and it’s nothing new.
Overall: 3.0
It is an absolute sin that what is practically a flash game costs $40 at retail.
The core gameplay is there and intact, but little innovation, washed-out
graphics and a price tag that is just too high make this a game that should be
passed on
