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Is The Wonderful 101 the most voluminous and varied action game ever? I said WOW!

OryoN

Member
I was seriously about to trade this in for NSMBU until I read this. I'm about halfway through Operation 003 and I'm just not liking the game at all. The controls and and some of the design decisions that were made are so goddamn frustrating. Especially the controls. Having to draw shapes just to change your damn weapon is aggravating as fuck. Admittedly though I don't outright hate the game like I did the first two hours in. Maybe if I get further I'll even start to like the game!

For a while, I was afraid I was going to fall into the 'I wanted to love this game, but I just can't get into it' category. My initial frustration nearly got the best of me, until that turning point where I stopped blaming the game for my inability to follow what was going on and act accordingly. I made up my mind that despite dying or taking a ton of damage, rather than get frustrated, I'm gonna use every moment as a learning experience. It wasn't long before I was seeing more and more instances where I was totally ignoring audio and visual enemy tells, nervously fudging my morphs, taking too long to dodge, not waiting for the best time to attack, etc. Once things clicked, my enjoyment level shot through the roof!

Because this game doesn't hold your hand, nor tell you whether you're doings right/wrong, the best indicator is your level of frustration itself. Basically, if you find yourselves overly frustrated, then you know you're doing something wrong or poorly. There's always a more effective - any usually flashier - way! The controls are as perfect as they can be, but better results come with practice(right stick is the way to go!). The L/R buttons make indoor sections a breeze. The initially vague platforming areas, leave you realizing how easy they were, once completed, and you may even see guiding hints and pointers that were there all along. You tend to appreciate some of those design choices in the end. This game is a keeper, for the ages!
 
Looking forward to picking this up, but seeing as my new Zelda system is still sitting sealed in its box... it might be a while, but one purchase definitely incoming!
 

Seik

Banned
For a while, I was afraid I was going to fall into the 'I wanted to love this game, but I just can't get into it' category. My initial frustration nearly got the best of me, until that turning point where I stopped blaming the game for my inability to follow what was going on and act accordingly. I made up my mind that despite dying or taking a ton of damage, rather than get frustrated, I'm gonna use every moment as a learning experience. It wasn't long before I was seeing more and more instances where I was totally ignoring audio and visual enemy tells, nervously fudging my morphs, taking too long to dodge, not waiting for the best time to attack, etc. Once things clicked, my enjoyment level shot through the roof!

Because this game doesn't hold your hand, nor tell you whether you're doings right/wrong, the best indicator is your level of frustration itself. Basically, if you find yourselves overly frustrated, then you know you're doing something wrong or poorly. There's always a more effective - any usually flashier - way! The controls are as perfect as they can be, but better results come with practice(right stick is the way to go!). The L/R buttons make indoor sections a breeze. The initially vague platforming areas, leave you realizing how easy they were, once completed, and you may even see guiding hints and pointers that were there all along. You tend to appreciate some of those design choices in the end. This game is a keeper, for the ages!

All true, the feeling I got after passing the learning curve is fantastic. Once you get the hang of it, this game is really something special and unique.

It's up there with the games of the forever imo.
 

Proven

Member
For a while, I was afraid I was going to fall into the 'I wanted to love this game, but I just can't get into it' category. My initial frustration nearly got the best of me, until that turning point where I stopped blaming the game for my inability to follow what was going on and act accordingly. I made up my mind that despite dying or taking a ton of damage, rather than get frustrated, I'm gonna use every moment as a learning experience. It wasn't long before I was seeing more and more instances where I was totally ignoring audio and visual enemy tells, nervously fudging my morphs, taking too long to dodge, not waiting for the best time to attack, etc. Once things clicked, my enjoyment level shot through the roof!

Because this game doesn't hold your hand, nor tell you whether you're doings right/wrong, the best indicator is your level of frustration itself. Basically, if you find yourselves overly frustrated, then you know you're doing something wrong or poorly. There's always a more effective - any usually flashier - way! The controls are as perfect as they can be, but better results come with practice(right stick is the way to go!). The L/R buttons make indoor sections a breeze. The initially vague platforming areas, leave you realizing how easy they were, once completed, and you may even see guiding hints and pointers that were there all along. You tend to appreciate some of those design choices in the end. This game is a keeper, for the ages!

There's a certain line in there that I'm happy to see. Sure, the game is trial and error, but the amount of error necessary is on you.
 

NFreak

Member
I'm in the same boat. I'm on operation 005 as well and the game keeps blowing my mind with all the new elements added. You're also learning new things during each mission that you probably could have done but didn't know about in earlier missions. That is such a satisfying feeling. The combat in the game with the wonder liner and stuff is just absolutely brilliant. I can't believe how well it works and it feels so good to just draw everything each time. This game is pure bliss. Easily my game of the year so far and I doubt anything will top it. I certainly haven't played an action game that rivals the variety offered in W101.
 

branny

Member
Just in case some people here aren't aware yet, you can make the Wonder Liner go even faster by holding L. I was going to mention it after Neiteio's starter tips post but got distracted.

All true, the feeling I got after passing the learning curve is fantastic. Once you get the hang of it, this game is really something special and unique.

It's up there with the games of the forever imo.
Yeppp, agree 100% with everything said here. :)
 

Neff

Member
For a while, I was afraid I was going to fall into the 'I wanted to love this game, but I just can't get into it' category. My initial frustration nearly got the best of me, until that turning point where I stopped blaming the game for my inability to follow what was going on and act accordingly. I made up my mind that despite dying or taking a ton of damage, rather than get frustrated, I'm gonna use every moment as a learning experience. It wasn't long before I was seeing more and more instances where I was totally ignoring audio and visual enemy tells, nervously fudging my morphs, taking too long to dodge, not waiting for the best time to attack, etc. Once things clicked, my enjoyment level shot through the roof!

Because this game doesn't hold your hand, nor tell you whether you're doings right/wrong, the best indicator is your level of frustration itself. Basically, if you find yourselves overly frustrated, then you know you're doing something wrong or poorly. There's always a more effective - any usually flashier - way! The controls are as perfect as they can be, but better results come with practice(right stick is the way to go!). The L/R buttons make indoor sections a breeze. The initially vague platforming areas, leave you realizing how easy they were, once completed, and you may even see guiding hints and pointers that were there all along. You tend to appreciate some of those design choices in the end. This game is a keeper, for the ages!

Your initial impression is one that sadly guides much of modern game design, in that any instance of player failure automatically qualifies as design failure. I'm glad that you saw through it and rose up to the challenge.
 

Vaiim

Member
I totally agree, one of the most insanely varied, completely random, explosive fun-fests of a game, that I've probably ever played!

Picking this game up alongside Sonic Lost World and Mario 3D World when I get a Wii U this Christmas.

Great choices :D
 

Hypron

Member
Picking this game up alongside Sonic Lost World and Mario 3D World when I get a Wii U this Christmas.

These three games will probably last you a couple of month considering how much shit there is to do in TW101 and how much there should be in these other 2 games.
 
D

Deleted member 125677

Unconfirmed Member
Neiteio, I love you and your impression threads!!!!!! :D

I totally agree with the two things you've highlighted. Doesn't mean the game is absolutely flawless or anything, it's pretty rough on the edges, and a bit frustrating at time (the in-door sections and some of the gimmicks), but overall it's about as much fun as I've had with any video game this year!
 

Seik

Banned
LOL

OK, I just finished the game.

GOTY, seriously, no contest. It's not even funny.

LOLLLLLL

Wow...Guys I can't even explain...

EDIT: Actually I can, it's one of these games that makes you feel good being a gamer when you're done with it. What an experience that was. Kamiya deserves a fucking award.
 

moolamb

Member
Aaaarghhhh I just finished 008!!!

I'm not sure if my blown mind can handle 009 yet. Heart's still racing from the insanity that just occured. But I really do want to re-answer OP's question. YES, YES, HOLY CRAPTOWN YES.

This game shits all over Pacific Rim, action and story.
 
Easily. I've never played a game with this heavy of a pace, and this much of an awesome AND unique style. It's like Fire Leo: The Game...or something.

And yes, I've played Bayonetta.
 

Dice

Pokémon Parentage Conspiracy Theorist
I made up my mind that despite dying or taking a ton of damage, rather than get frustrated, I'm gonna use every moment as a learning experience.
There was a time when this was all of gaming.
 

Vaiim

Member
Aaaarghhhh I just finished 008!!!

I'm not sure if my blown mind can handle 009 yet. Heart's still racing from the insanity that just occured. But I really do want to re-answer OP's question. YES, YES, HOLY CRAPTOWN YES.

Haha, totally - It just is so gosh darn intense!
 

popyea

Member
Despite the controls seeming more involved than most, I've reached the point where I can I can draw every weapon quickly and perform every attack without even thinking. And it feels sooo damn good. Actions that used to take frustratingly long to do now take less than a second. It used to be a case of carefully draw shape, confirm with A, then do special attacks using stick+A. Now it's all one quick movement, using both sticks simultaneously and hitting A using my lower thumb without even letting go of the sticks. That extra layer of involvement is kind of rare in games, so it's a unique but wonderful feeling.
 

Jarsonot

Member
Welp. Ya sold me. I don't have time for it, but I guess I'm gonna have to get this game.

Heard good things, but kinda flew under my radar. Like I say, I don't have time for many games lately so I've been a little pickier than usual about what I get. Reading through this thread clinches it, though. Game sounds awesome, and I like awesome. =)
 
I'm going to have to say yes, at least in terms of pure action games. My first playthrough on Normal was just shy of 27 hours according to my activity log. I cannot wait for Bayonetta 2.
 

marc^o^

Nintendo's Pro Bono PR Firm
That extra layer of involvement is kind of rare in games, so it's a unique but wonderful feeling.
Same here, that's why I love sports games. Constant improvement the more you play is the most gratifying in this medium.
 

Neiteio

Member
I'm going to have to say yes, at least in terms of pure action games. My first playthrough on Normal was just shy of 27 hours according to my activity log. I cannot wait for Bayonetta 2.
I'm on 005-B -- effectively Chapter 13 out of 27, if each of the nine acts has three chapters -- and I'm already at 12 hours of playtime on Normal, so I can definitely see the final playtime clocking in around 30 hours.

And that's just the first time through. As Kamiya said, the REAL playthrough begins the second time, revisiting earlier chapters with all of your heroes, morphs, custom blocks and skills, leveling up for new abilities, and tackling higher difficulties that thoroughly remix the enemy encounters.

Man, aside from the tremendous personality and ever-increasing sense of escalation, this game is also like Kid Icarus Uprising in that I could easily see myself investing 100+ hours over time, just like I did with KIU (my current 3DS playtime record holder at 110+ hours).

Welp. Ya sold me. I don't have time for it, but I guess I'm gonna have to get this game.

Heard good things, but kinda flew under my radar. Like I say, I don't have time for many games lately so I've been a little pickier than usual about what I get. Reading through this thread clinches it, though. Game sounds awesome, and I like awesome. =)
I'm a time-strapped gamer myself these days, which is cruel irony since I also have the means to buy games now, and there are SO many great games to try. But TW101 works nicely with any schedule.

Each chapter (or level -- there are three levels in each operation, or three chapters in each act) is the perfect length, I'd say, like an episode of a TV show -- somewhere between a sitcom (~22 minutes) and Breaking Bad sans commercials (~45 minutes), depending on how thorough you are. And so much happens in each chapter, and each chapter is so over-the-top, that you feel perfectly content to play a chapter or two a night. Sometimes I knock out an entire act, though, because I can't resist seeing what happens next!
 
I need to set the final boss theme as my wake up tone. That shit will get me up and in the shower and dressed in like 10 minutes.
 

DashReindeer

Lead Community Manager, Outpost Games
If you're feeling like this so early into the game, you're gonna be scraping yourself off the floor once you get to the end. I absolutely adored Bayonetta, and thought no action game could reach those climactic heights again, but Wonderful 101 does it with ease. The whole end stretch is just so unbelievably hardcore.

This is and likely will remain the best game on the Wii U. It's too bad people seem to not only have written the console off, but every game that's not Mario or Zelda as well. This is exactly why Nintendo doesn't make many new IPs with any sort of budget. Gamers largely seem to reject new, unique ideas.
 
I think this game deserves goty. I fear its too niche to be even considered though

There's just so much working against it.

Very niche, as you said.
Bad marketing.
Released around GTAV.
On a console that isn't doing very well at the moment.
Perceived "kiddiness."
Admittedly can be hard to get into at first even if you decide to give it a chance.
Mainstream reviews.

I feel like starting some sort of BUY THIS FUCKING GAME YOU DOLTS campaign, because this needs and deserves success.
 
I'm on 005-B -- effectively Chapter 13 out of 27, if each of the nine acts has three chapters -- and I'm already at 12 hours of playtime on Normal, so I can definitely see the final playtime clocking in around 30 hours.

And that's just the first time through. As Kamiya said, the REAL playthrough begins the second time, revisiting earlier chapters with all of your heroes, morphs, custom blocks and skills, leveling up for new abilities, and tackling higher difficulties that thoroughly remix the enemy encounters.

Man, aside from the tremendous personality and ever-increasing sense of escalation, this game is also like Kid Icarus Uprising in that I could easily see myself investing 100+ hours over time, just like I did with KIU (my current 3DS playtime record holder at 110+ hours).

The last three chapters are a bit shorter actually... Mission 007 only has 2 chapters. But there is a prologue and an epilogue as well so that would be a total of 28 chapters. I'd say you are probably a bit over half way. But you are right, the replayablity factor is very high so the hours will definitely pile up.
 

Timeaisis

Member
Your initial impression is one that sadly guides much of modern game design, in that any instance of player failure automatically qualifies as design failure. I'm glad that you saw through it and rose up to the challenge.

It's also why reviewers have bashed this game so much. They don't feel like it's worth digging into, or they don't have the time to make it click. For the average consumer that just spent $60 of his/her investment, I needed it to click, so I stuck with it. And it is awesome once you get there, but it can take a while. It started clicking for me around 003. It's easy to tell once you start getting Gold/Silver on missions instead of Consolation prizes. :p
 
Ugh, I really want to get this game because of all the good things people are saying about it, but I just hated the demo. There was too much happening on screen for me to make sense of anything, and I hated drawing morphs.
 

Neiteio

Member
Ugh, I really want to get this game because of all the good things people are saying about it, but I just hated the demo. There was too much happening on screen for me to make sense of anything, and I hated drawing morphs.
For the game to "click," I recommend playing the demo several times, keeping the following tips in mind (as I posted on the first page):

First of all, don't use the touchscreen. Use the right stick. Shapes don't have to be precise. When you realize this, it becomes like a fighting game, but much simpler. Take it from someone who has a hard time pulling off hadokens!

FIST -- Quick circle on the right stick.

SWORD -- Quick tap in any direction.

GUN -- Quick tap up, then right.

WHIP -- Wiggle the stick up.

HAMMER -- Quick tap up, then a circle.

CLAWS -- Tap right. Then left. Then right.

BOMB -- Quick circle, then tap up.

Then activate each morph by tapping A. The longer you hold any of the directions, the bigger the "shape," and the stronger the morph. You need more heroes and more gauge to make bigger morphs, of course.

Remember, you don't need to be precise. Also remember, the game goes into slow-mo when you make shapes, and it does NOT have to be one continuous movement. For example, when making the claws, you can tap in one direction, then stop, then the opposite direction, then stop, and then the final direction, before hitting A.

Once you realize this, and start using the stick, making morphs is easy. At that point, it becomes about HOW you use them.

Use the fist and hammer to soften up armored foes. The fist can block fire attacks and throw fireballs back at the enemy; the hammer can shield you from missiles falling from above. Use the sword to swat aside small enemies, cleave through gelatinous foes, and deflect laser beams. Use the gun to shoot flying foes or gather up enemy bombs and fire them back. Use the whip to rip away spiky armor, and the claws to pry open enemy defenses. Use the bombs to slow down speedy targets.

Use the X button repeatedly to swarm enemies with your men. Keep tapping X, swarming them over and over, until they grow stunned, and then staggered. When they're disabled with stars whirling about their head, they're easy to launch into the air with a Wonder Rising -- jumping with B, and then hitting with A -- and once in the air, you can launch them higher with a second Wonder Rising, or quickly crank out different Unite Morphs, activating them with the X button instead of A so that the computer AI dishes them out while you continue to attack with your main morph. You can have fists, swords, guns, etc, all working at the same time in this fashion.

With Unite Guts, you can bounce back tank missiles, and even the tanks themselves when they charge or jump on you. If you see an enemy wind up a punting kick or raise a clenched fist, you can throw them off-balance blocking in this fashion. You can dodge many attacks you can't block using Unite Spring. With the Dodge Mine equipped on the Custom Block (see your sub-menus), you'll even leave a mine when you dodge that makes enemies flash purple. When they flash purple, you can circle them like you'd circle civilians, and recruit them to your cause. And if you're surrounded by explosions, dash with Y and your group will tighten up into a compact formation that makes it easier to navigate a perilous environment.

Also know you can control the camera: L and R toggle between various levels of zoom, and when exploring the interior of a building on the GamePad, use L to center the camera behind your character.

These are just starter tips. I recommend replaying the first level until you get the hang of things. At some point, everything will CLICK. After that, it's smooth sailing!
 

Vaiim

Member
And that's just the first time through. As Kamiya said, the REAL playthrough begins the second time, revisiting earlier chapters with all of your heroes, morphs, custom blocks and skills, leveling up for new abilities, and tackling higher difficulties that thoroughly remix the enemy encounters.

You kinda mentioned it, but there are all the secret heroes to unlock as well as the usual 100, I think there's another
15
bonus heroes. You unlock them by
getting the achievement/bottle caps, some of which are insane to get
so it really takes a lot of time to unlock them all!
 

Neiteio

Member
I just realized that beyond the incredible campaign, there is also Mission Mode, for one to five players. I played the demo's multiplayer with friends and it was amazing, enough to compel me to buy two Pro Controllers, so I'm definitely eager to dive into multiplayer in the full game. How many missions are there in Mission Mode? How varied do they get? And can you change the difficulty level in Mission Mode?
 
FIST -- Quick circle on the right stick.

SWORD -- Quick tap in any direction.

GUN -- Quick tap up, then right.

WHIP -- Wiggle the stick up.

HAMMER -- Quick tap up, then a circle.

CLAWS -- Tap right. Then left. Then right.

BOMB -- Quick circle, then tap up.

Then activate each morph by tapping A. The longer you hold any of the directions, the bigger the "shape," and the stronger the morph. You need more heroes and more gauge to make bigger morphs, of course.

Remember, you don't need to be precise. Also remember, the game goes into slow-mo when you make shapes, and it does NOT have to be one continuous movement. For example, when making the claws, you can tap in one direction, then stop, then the opposite direction, then stop, and then the final direction, before hitting A.

0WayG46.gif
 
R

Retro_

Unconfirmed Member
I just realized that beyond the incredible campaign, there is also Mission Mode, for one to five players. I played the demo's multiplayer with friends and it was amazing, enough to compel me to buy two Pro Controllers, so I'm definitely eager to dive into multiplayer in the full game. How many missions are there in Mission Mode? How varied do they get? And can you change the difficulty level in Mission Mode?

There are 3 levels in Mission mode: Easy, Normal and Hard. Each level has an A and B path with about 3 sections in each.

Haven't messed with them much, but they seem like alot of fun if you can get some people to really care about the game. I'd love to see some multiplayer combo videos but I'm not holding my breath.

First of all, don't use the touchscreen.

Nah. Screen is definitely viable if you want to go down that path.

This guy uses it sort of like an arcade stick and the speed at which he can generate morphs is in a completely different league than one can do with the stick even with speed liner.

I've been sort of practicing with his method, but I like being lazy and reclining in my sofa too much when playing this game lol

but screen is definitely a viable method. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!
 

moolamb

Member
Yep, I've never had a problem with touchscreen EXCEPT for the hammer. I expect once the drawing bullet-time goes away the right stick becomes far less viable.
 

kunonabi

Member
I pretty much only use the right stick for unite bomb. I've been using the touchscreen for all other combat applications since it's quicker for me and I find some motions on the right stick to be really awkward.
 
D

Deleted member 30609

Unconfirmed Member
after some posts in this thread, I went back and finished Operation 3C and 4A. In between, I purchased the speed-liner. Man, what a game changer.

The visuals, for the record, are just incredible.
 
Ugh, I really want to get this game because of all the good things people are saying about it, but I just hated the demo. There was too much happening on screen for me to make sense of anything, and I hated drawing morphs.

Had the same experience with the demo. Same exact. But the more you draw the morphs, the better/easier it gets, it starts to become second nature with experience.
 
Finished Pikmin 3 last night and started this up today. This game is a good as it was hyped up to be. The writing is funny and like others have said, once the gameplay clicks you are golden. Had a blast today as I played for a few hours.
 

marc^o^

Nintendo's Pro Bono PR Firm
8-B completed :) I wanted to finish the game before Zelda on Friday but it's too packed with content. Incredible stuff I just did again.
 
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