Infernal Monkey
12-11-2008, 11:31 PM
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/review_wiiware_aliencrushreturnslogo.png
System: WiiWare
Developer: Tamsoft
Publisher: Hudson Soft
Genre: Pinball
Players: 1-4
Points: 800
It's a typical day in space; people are taking their dogs for a float around the block, hundreds of biscuits are drifting aimlessly above town from yet another failed bake sale, Mario's tearing through someone's garden whilst screaming about a rabbit. Yep, same as usual. Well… except for that gigantic, mysterious alien spacecraft over there.
In search of eBay fodder, the Elite Squad go forth to investigate. Strafing, bunny hopping and tagging their way around the ship, they quickly discover every room is actually decked out like a pinball table. What a stroke of luck - the Elite Squad just so happened to bring along their giant pinball!
Hudson's reached deep into the IP vault for this one; it's been twenty years since Alien Crush on the TurboGrafx-16. Alien Crush Returns is a worthy revival, offering more tables than the original (which isn't too difficult, considering it had one), a tacked on story mode, online multiplayer, leaderboards and more! That's much better than less.
The controls follow the unspoken rule for pinball games on the Wii, with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck controlling a flipper each (they can be swapped around for us fussy, mutated lefties). Pulling back on the joystick or D-pad will launch the ball, while shaking the controller will nudge the table. It works extremely well, and the flippers react perfectly.
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/review_wiiware_aliencrushreturns1.jpg
Story Mode's the first option on the menu, with a riveting introduction screen full of incredible text detailing the thrilling adventures of the (amazing) Elite Squad. It's a good place to start, taking players through the three tables with various objectives (wipe out the enemies, wipe out the enemies some more) and the chance to face off against some wonderfully grotesque bosses. The Elite Squad's journey doesn't last long (seriously, it's all over in about half an hour), but this isn't exactly the main event.
Nope, that's reserved for the Arcade Mode. Select a table and rack up the points - pinball! Crushing aliens in your path and generally just bouncing around will build up a power meter to make use of the new 'Action Ball' feature. They're essentially short term power-ups, such as increasing the speed of the ball or reversing its direction. Most Action Ball's are unlocked by meeting certain conditions, but a few will also be made available via free downloadable content.
The three tables (Cargo Chamber, Control Room and Crew's Quarters) are well designed, with multiple sets of flippers, bumpers (in the form of fleshy… lumps) and a host of secret rooms; something the original game featured plenty of. These areas are split-off from the main table, and usually revolve around killing as many spawning aliens as possible in a cramped space with a single ball. It's akin to shoving a pissed off Rottweiler into a broom closest, then sending in cats, one after another.
Upon booting up, the game will ask if you want to connect online to refresh the leaderboard right off the bat. However, your own high score has to be manually updated. It's not much of a fuss, simply select the Ranking Mode option from the title screen and wait for it to throw your precious numbers onto the Internet.
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/review_wiiware_aliencrushreturns2.jpg
Alien Crush Returns also contains a Versus Mode for up to four players online (no local multiplayer). It's a race to see who can score a set amount of points the fastest. Against similarly skilled players, it can be quite intense. The type of intense that results in odd facial expressions and Dragonball Z style powering up noises. The usual options are here, with worldwide, regional, Mr. Resetti and Friend Code matches possible.
The art direction is a pretty big departure from the original; the Xenomorph inspired alien designs have been replaced with a much more forgettable lot. The bosses are fantastic, though. Tamsoft (responsible for the upcoming educational title; Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers) has done a fantastic job with the graphics. The mood is suitably dark, and the tables' look and feel alive. The walls breathe around you and disgustingly beautiful flesh accurately shakes when struck. Then again, Tamsoft's had years of experience (http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/review_wiiware_demolitiongirlps2.jpg) with jiggle-physics.
Crank the volume up for this one, right until you feel a warm substance gathering in your ears (it's an alien). The music is actually quite a let down, but the huge variety of sound effects and general ambience is incredible – it perfectly compliments the graphics. With plenty to keep you going for that ever elusive high score, realistic ball physics and the promise of more content being made available over time such as Action Ball's and even whole new tables, Alien Crush Returns is a great addition to the long lost Crush series. Now if they'd only announce a Devil's Crush Returns!
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/review_bar.png
Score: 7.5/10 - "Good buy"
Hey, Bart! Remember Alien Crush? It's back! In WiiWare form!
System: WiiWare
Developer: Tamsoft
Publisher: Hudson Soft
Genre: Pinball
Players: 1-4
Points: 800
It's a typical day in space; people are taking their dogs for a float around the block, hundreds of biscuits are drifting aimlessly above town from yet another failed bake sale, Mario's tearing through someone's garden whilst screaming about a rabbit. Yep, same as usual. Well… except for that gigantic, mysterious alien spacecraft over there.
In search of eBay fodder, the Elite Squad go forth to investigate. Strafing, bunny hopping and tagging their way around the ship, they quickly discover every room is actually decked out like a pinball table. What a stroke of luck - the Elite Squad just so happened to bring along their giant pinball!
Hudson's reached deep into the IP vault for this one; it's been twenty years since Alien Crush on the TurboGrafx-16. Alien Crush Returns is a worthy revival, offering more tables than the original (which isn't too difficult, considering it had one), a tacked on story mode, online multiplayer, leaderboards and more! That's much better than less.
The controls follow the unspoken rule for pinball games on the Wii, with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck controlling a flipper each (they can be swapped around for us fussy, mutated lefties). Pulling back on the joystick or D-pad will launch the ball, while shaking the controller will nudge the table. It works extremely well, and the flippers react perfectly.
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/review_wiiware_aliencrushreturns1.jpg
Story Mode's the first option on the menu, with a riveting introduction screen full of incredible text detailing the thrilling adventures of the (amazing) Elite Squad. It's a good place to start, taking players through the three tables with various objectives (wipe out the enemies, wipe out the enemies some more) and the chance to face off against some wonderfully grotesque bosses. The Elite Squad's journey doesn't last long (seriously, it's all over in about half an hour), but this isn't exactly the main event.
Nope, that's reserved for the Arcade Mode. Select a table and rack up the points - pinball! Crushing aliens in your path and generally just bouncing around will build up a power meter to make use of the new 'Action Ball' feature. They're essentially short term power-ups, such as increasing the speed of the ball or reversing its direction. Most Action Ball's are unlocked by meeting certain conditions, but a few will also be made available via free downloadable content.
The three tables (Cargo Chamber, Control Room and Crew's Quarters) are well designed, with multiple sets of flippers, bumpers (in the form of fleshy… lumps) and a host of secret rooms; something the original game featured plenty of. These areas are split-off from the main table, and usually revolve around killing as many spawning aliens as possible in a cramped space with a single ball. It's akin to shoving a pissed off Rottweiler into a broom closest, then sending in cats, one after another.
Upon booting up, the game will ask if you want to connect online to refresh the leaderboard right off the bat. However, your own high score has to be manually updated. It's not much of a fuss, simply select the Ranking Mode option from the title screen and wait for it to throw your precious numbers onto the Internet.
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/review_wiiware_aliencrushreturns2.jpg
Alien Crush Returns also contains a Versus Mode for up to four players online (no local multiplayer). It's a race to see who can score a set amount of points the fastest. Against similarly skilled players, it can be quite intense. The type of intense that results in odd facial expressions and Dragonball Z style powering up noises. The usual options are here, with worldwide, regional, Mr. Resetti and Friend Code matches possible.
The art direction is a pretty big departure from the original; the Xenomorph inspired alien designs have been replaced with a much more forgettable lot. The bosses are fantastic, though. Tamsoft (responsible for the upcoming educational title; Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers) has done a fantastic job with the graphics. The mood is suitably dark, and the tables' look and feel alive. The walls breathe around you and disgustingly beautiful flesh accurately shakes when struck. Then again, Tamsoft's had years of experience (http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/review_wiiware_demolitiongirlps2.jpg) with jiggle-physics.
Crank the volume up for this one, right until you feel a warm substance gathering in your ears (it's an alien). The music is actually quite a let down, but the huge variety of sound effects and general ambience is incredible – it perfectly compliments the graphics. With plenty to keep you going for that ever elusive high score, realistic ball physics and the promise of more content being made available over time such as Action Ball's and even whole new tables, Alien Crush Returns is a great addition to the long lost Crush series. Now if they'd only announce a Devil's Crush Returns!
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/review_bar.png
Score: 7.5/10 - "Good buy"
Hey, Bart! Remember Alien Crush? It's back! In WiiWare form!