Information
Published by: Capcom
Developed by: Capcom
Genre: Point and Click Adventure
Number of Players: 1
Price: $39.99
Official site:
www.zackandwiki.com
Boxart
Release Dates
North America: October 23, 2007
Japan: October 25, 2007
Europe: December 7, 2007
Australia: December 13, 2007
Sypnosis
Legend has it that a revered pirate named Barbaros once stole the world's treasure and hid it on a mysterious island. Though no one knows of its exact location, stories about the untold riches that lay in wait have been passed down through the ages, driving pirates from all walks of life to pursue the alluring prizes. One of these treasure seekers, a young apprentice pirate named Zack happens upon a mysterious talking skull, the skull of Barbaros himself. Barbaros promises to reveal the key to the island, if Zack will help to lift the curse he is under.
Players will explore a variety of wondrous environments and stages, solving puzzles and interacting with the world in search of vast riches and the ultimate pursuit of becoming the greatest pirate the world has ever seen. Inventive gameplay mechanics and controller movements allow players to move and open objects, transform items, unlock new pathways and navigate through perilous stages based on a variety of themes including a jungle, ice temple, volcanic caves and more, each with multiple sub-areas. Players will use the Wii Remote controller in various ways - rotate handles, turn keys to open doors, play a piccolo and much more in order to solve the progressively difficult puzzle stages and collect key items that will lead to the legendary pirate ship.
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros Treasure allows players to truly interact with the world around them thanks to the innovative Wii Remote. Players can move and open objects, transform items and unlock new paths all with simple tactile movements of their remote. The Wii Remote will be used in a variety of ways including turning keys, rotating handles and even playing a piccolo as players strive to solve more and more difficult puzzles they encounter. In total there are over 80 different objects that can be manipulated in the game.
The adventure features a range of locations for players to explore from lush jungle to barren frozen ice temples. With seven large stages and over 20 sub-stages to master, Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros Treasure is not for the faint hearted. There are more than 500 items to collect and 35 types of enemy to outwit, meaning this game will provide 30 - 40 hours of mind-bending puzzle solving adventure
Previews
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NEW PREVIEWS!!!
From IGN's Wiik-in-Review
Zack and Wiki
- Was supposed to have the exclusive review on Zack and Wiki up tonight, but they couldn't complete it - stuck on a really hard (but awesome) puzzle.
- Maybe half-way through the game, and don't have any concerns about the length (about 15 hours).
- Difficulty is great, ramps up as the game progresses. Everytime you step into a new level, you're confronted with more new and unique puzzles.
- Puzzles and controls are lots of fun. Definitely recommend it - will be an editor's choice. Go and preorder it right now. One of the best 3rd party games on Wii. One of the very few Wii games that simply could not be replicated on another console. A "must-have title".
- The puzzles are challenging, you may need to even get help from friends (which you can). "Best designed puzzles in a decade" - probably superior to Zelda. "The quality and consistency of these puzzles is just insane."
- Don't have many complaints - wish they would supply more puzzles through WiiConnect24, sometimes need to use exact motions yet sometimes it's pretty much guess-work, sometimes trial-and-error gameplay might annoy.
- But it's a really good game. Saw the GameInformer review - definitely not a mid-7's game.
- Really smart puzzles and really beautiful (though sometimes framerate takes a dip). The animation is awesome - looks like you're watching a cartoon. Lots of polish and little elements that many other developers would not even think about including. "Insane production values."
- Next week there will be massive coverage of the game.
http://wii.ign.com/articles/828/828161p1.html
The landscapes are gorgeously rendered and highly varied in design. You'll progress from jungles to icy terrain and even into lava-filled caverns, each setting with a lush cel-shaded visual presentation that would make Eiji Aonuma proud. To be sure, with its spectacular artistic sense and strong use of technology - wait until you see the lighting and particle effects in place -- Z-Dub features some of the best graphics on Wii to date. Rest assured that everything runs in both 16:9 widescreen and progressive-scan modes, too.
http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=46743&mode=thread&order=0
For the most part, this has led to the console's best-selling third-party titles being ports and sequels that presented familiar themes to go along with the new motion controls. No third-party programmer has yet pushed a completely successful new IP via the Wii, although there have been many almost-rans and near misses. Capcom's Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure seems likely to be the Wii's first tremendous third-party success. Although it's slated to ship at the budget price of $39.99, there is nothing cheap or slapdash about this title. From the clever gameplay to the beautiful cel-shaded graphics, this is likely to become one of the Wii's must-own titles ... and it might even drive system sales.
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TGS 07 hands-on:
http://wii.ign.com/articles/821/821784p1.html
This game is quickly rising up the ranks to being one of my most anticipated Wii games. It looks great, has an awesome visual style, and the puzzles are hugely elaborate and amazingly clever.
Game-life hands-on:
http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/07/capcom-zack-and.html
I've already told you more times than should really be necessary that Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure is a must-buy Wii title for fans of puzzle adventure games that really make you think.
G4 hands-on:
http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/679030/Hands_On_Zack_and_Wiki.html
Zack and Wiki, with its family-friendly vibe and cel-shaded cartoon style, is a very good game. And while an intelligent kids will almost certainly dig it, so will intelligent adults. There's a lot to like here: Stylish visuals, challenging puzzles, and a nostalgic re-imagining of the point-and-click adventures of yore.
Shacknews E3 hands-on:
http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=421
In the end, Zack & Wiki turned out to be much more fun that I had expected. Even when playing Capcom's more heavily hyped Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and Devil May Cry 4 at the same event, I kept thinking about how to solve Zack & Wiki's other puzzles, and how to beat levels faster than before. There may be no ninjas to keelhaul, but the game's focus on challenging the brain more than reflexes is refreshing and enjoyable in a third person adventure, and it is done in visually appealing style. If a puzzle game can appeal this much to an action gamer, then it has the potential to charm just about anyone.
Screens
New screens here:
http://72.14.203.104/translate_c?hl=...3DQCT&sa=G
Videos - watch out for puzzle spoilers!
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NEW VIDEOS!!!
Capcom Gamer's Day 07 Trailer
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/26649.html
Capcom Gamer's Day 07 Gameplay Montage
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/26648.html
20 minutes of Zack and Wiki footage:
http://japan.gamespot.com/wii/videos...0358919,00.htm
New commercial on the Japanese site if you click the guy in the bottom right corner:
http://72.14.203.104/translate_c?hl=...3DSc8&sa=G
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Various videos and trailers:
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/893/893610/vids_1.html
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/893/893610/vid_2166680.html
Game Mechanics interview:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/22263.html
Storyline and series future interview:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/25693.html
Preview
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23628.html
Youtube trailer
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zl2pEba710g
TGS Youtube trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ_Z3aeCeoA
Reviews
IGN: 9.0/10 (90%)
http://wii.ign.com/articles/829/829301p1.html
With most Wii games thus far its as simple as adding waggle or putting IR into an otherwise cookie cutter design most first party Nintendo games are even guilty of this. With Z-Dub, though, it goes beyond that, as the game asks the user to perform actions that simply cant be done without the Wii remote. This is the type of engaging, innovative interaction we all imagined when seeing the controller for the first time, and its exciting to see a developer that really gets what the system is all about. Even more than Mario Galaxy, Zelda, or Wii Sports, Zack & Wiki delivers an experience that you can only find on Wii.
Gametrailers: 8.4/10 (84%)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/4660.html
1up: 9.0/10 (90%)
http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3163925
and if it isnt the best game for the system, its at least the most must-play Wii experience next to Wii Sports. Its unmatched as a cognitively and creatively challenging experience...
Gamespot: 8.5/10 (85%)
All told, Zack & Wiki is a winner. It might not win you over with its characters or story, but it will with its wonderfully crafted puzzles and sharp control mechanics. It's just the sort of game Wii owners have been pining for, the sort of game that blends accessibility and challenge into one seamless whole, and does it without devolving into yet another minigame collection. And best of all? This game is retailing for only $40. If you own a Wii, Zack & Wiki belongs in your collection.
Nintendo Power: 9/10 (90%)
- Combines clever use of the Wii remote and positively brilliant puzzle design
- Variety is astounding
- Piecing it all together comes with a great sense of satisfaction
- You will be scratching your head with some regularity, the puzzles are never so esoteric to leave you feeling cheated
- Charm to burn; with an energetic sense of humor and an appealing visual style reminiscent of Wind Waker.
- One of the Wii's best-looking titles; not for technical merit but because of the care that went into creating a very complete aesthetic.
- Animation is especially fantastic
- 20+ hours; adventure is plenty long - never, ever drags
- Tons of extra stuff to do.
- Concern about name of game; may not do well at retail because of it.
- Truly deserves to be a big hit
- One of the system's most creative, entertaining titles.
Gameinformer: 8.25 (83%)
GI is worried about the presentation possibly having a negative effect on the success and appreciation of the game. They also noted that Wiki has a high pitched baby voice that may drive you crazy. For the most part the motion controls are well done though GI noted some difficulty with the fishing and music motions. Some of the puzzles are considered innovative. The intro is considered very jarring but if you can stick it out through that you may grow to appreciate the characters.
The second opinion says that it could have used a bit more polish since at times the Wii controls made the gameplay "sloppier and less exact than it should be". They also say that the game provides a "mix of intriguing puzzles and novel motion-based minigames that's like nothing else out there".
Famitsu: 9/9/8/7 (33/40) (83%)
Play: 8/10 (80%)
Current review average: 86%
More coming soon!
Alkaline's thoughts
People around the industry often say that 3rd parties are refusing to put effort into the Wii. Well, Capcom is changing that with Zack and Wiki. This game is a must-have, pure and simple. Developed from the ground-up from Wii, it not only takes full advantage of the controllers, but it's a polished, challenging and exciting experience that even comes at a lower price than normal, despite appearing to be one of the best games on Wii so far.
The reality is that you NEED to buy this game. Support Capcom from their efforts, and not only that, but do yourself a favour in the process. These are the types of games that people want to see on Wii. So, every single person out there reading this thread, BUY THIS GAME. If you have a Wii, BUY THIS GAME. If your friend as a Wii, tell him to BUY THIS GAME. If you don't have a Wii, well, buy one and then BUY THIS GAME.
Just BUY THIS GAME.
Thanks
- Nintendo
- Capcom
- Everyone who
BUYS THIS GAME
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Felipiko for the release dates and GI review
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E-Phonkfor this awesome wallpaper -
http://meteoratc.deviantart.com/art/Zack-and-Wiki-Hi-Res-Wallpaper-61737998
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PepsimanVsJoe for the GI review summary
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Creamsugar for the TGS Youtube video
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Nintaiyo for the Famitsu score and various media
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AceBandage for the IGN preview and Gamespot review
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Kurosawa for the Worthplaying preview
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Kenka for the trailer
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Stormbringer for the gameplay montage
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sk3tch for the Nintendo Power review summary
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Creamsugar for his wallpaper -
http://www.gpara.com/tobira/wp/takarajimaz/index.htm
