Platform: Wii
Developer: High Voltage Software
Publisher: Sega
It’s a well known fact, the Wii is not long for this world. Although innovative with its motion controls, the Wii fell behind the PS3 and XBOX 360 on high definition graphics and hard drive memory. When it came out though, it was only considered a five year console compared to the 10 year life spans of the competition. In fact, Nintendo is expected to make an announcement in June about its successor and the Wii will slowly move into video game history.
So it makes sense that developers are concentrating on the other consoles before they get direction from Nintendo and this spring, there have not been many titles out there for the Wii. Yet, High Voltage Software and Sega just issued Conduit 2, a first person shooter game, and the sequel to 2009’s Conduit.
Because the Wii is marketed towards a family audience, there haven’t been many first person shooters for the system and most hard core gamers will gravitate towards the adult titles on the PS3 and XBOX, rather than the Wii. But being a five year old system does bring the young kids who owned it in 2007 into their teenage years – the game is rated T – so there is a market for this game.
That said, Conduit 2 is a very basic and generic shooter game. The plotline, where Michael Ford takes on John Adams – yes those are their real names – isn’t the most complex and the game can be played within 5 hours.
Where Conduit 2 excels is in the look and game. The graphics are great and it’s hard to believe this is on the Wii, as they look more like PS3 or XBOX designs. The sound is ok, but there are some glitches matching sound and graphics.
There is also a multi-player option where four can play locally and up to 12 online. Although I haven’t dove into this part it too much, it looks easy enough to play.
The controls are the standard Wii controls, or you can use the classic wired controller. It takes time to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy.
Overall, though, Conduit 2 is a good game for the Wii. There’s nothing earth shattering in this selection, but since there are very few titles out there for the system this spring, it does give Wii owners something to do until Nintendo gives their future direction. Hardcore gamers though will probably want to stick with the titles on the PS3 and XBOX for this genre.
Grade B
About the Author
