Hot Diggity Damn this game is addictive
Now, I owned the previous incarnation on the PSP (it was initially called 'Archer Macleans Mercury'
) and thought it was
fantastic. Really really addictive and a real Jekyll and Hyde of a game.
It's good to know that the Wii incarnation hasn't changed a bit in that respect
.
Before i go any further I should really put the game into perspective from a development point of view.
Initially, Sony did their usual and lied about the capabilities of the then upcoming PSP. Needless to say, it was a bit of a letdown when the vaunted "tilt control" capabilities of that handheld were left out. Unfortunately, no one told Ignition, who had already started making their early launch game called Mercury. The game would have utilised the tilt functions to let you control a blob of mercury around a maze. As it was, when released it simply used the analogue stick to control the blob instead.
With the advent of the Wii (and, of course, Nintendo
keeping their promises
) the wiimote enables the game to come home to it''s true spiritual roots.
At LAST, we can play the game as it was initially intended to be played by the developer Awesome Studios.
The game's premise revolves around the idea that you use the wiimote to tilt a maze upon which rests a blob of mercury. The mercury needs to be carefully shepharded to the exit point (a chequered flag style floorpiece) all the while collecting bonuses (the yellow object on the right shown here)
changing various colours to trip certain switches or pass through colour coded gates
...and not falling off the edge. You may also need to split the blob into more than one colour and recombine them to make a new one to allow you to access certain areas (fiendishly difficult if you have more than 2 blobs to navigate
)
There is a limit below which you cannot fall for mercury left on the maze (eg 10-20%, it depends on each level individually). Below this and you fail the mission. Above this and you gain points for every % over you are.
Collecting bonuses also gains you points, as does completing the level within the time limit (although if you go over the time you can still finish that level).
All very easy? Aaaaaaah, but in negotiating the maze, you'll have to avoid all forms of obstacles and nasties......from repulsors that fling you off the edge to little monsters that try to eat you or revolving turnstiles that you need to cross
Additionally, you
still have to usually solve a puzzle or two to allow you to complete your mission. This version for the Wii has an added dimension of allowing you to alter the structure of your blob (hot and therefore "runny", normal, cold and therefore slightly sluggish, and ice cold to become a solid ball) depending on what "shower" you enter (if they're on that level that is).
It all sounds quite complicated, but it's easy to get used to and it's one of the most addictive games I have ever come across.....both on the PSP and on the Wii.
Some of the levels can be insanely hard....some are even vertical
.
In fact, going back to my initial Jekyll & Hyde reference, that's what tends to happen here. You can find yourself absorbed in the game to the point that you'll start swearing uncontrollably as you get things wrong:
F*@k,
B@£l@cks, W@£k, Tw@t, A@se, AAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH 
.....only to return 5 minutes later for "just 1 more go"
One the one hand it's a really hard challenge in places, on the other it's a fantastic bit of fun that will have you punching your fist in the air when you've completed a level with all bonuses, a great time and no mercury lost (it's so good, I just kept playing last night and ended up completing the first lab/world....plenty more to get through though).
The game itself has a very simple progression, do the tutorial and then onto the missions. The missions are represented by test tubes, as you complete them, they become filled (depending on how much mercury you save), get 'badged' (if you collect all bonuses), and may even get gold stop caps (if you've done everything right and pulled of a 'perfect' mission).
The control system (the MAIN issue that would make or break this game) is, I'm happy to say, PERFECT with the wiimote. You hold the Wiimote in both hands with the crosspad on the left and the "1" and "2" buttons on the right. The tilt function is sensitive and brilliant. It really allows a nice "fine" control when you need to be careful, but also allows you to progress quite quickly if you need to (just tilt at a higher angle).
Zooming in or out of the maze is done via the 1 or 2 buttons, whilst in menus they act as the "confirm" and "go back" buttons.
The most important button is actually the crosspad as this rotates the view clockwise or anticlockwise as well as allowing you to go from a complete top down view all the way to a more side on view. This is all essential as it allows you to "look around" obstacles as well as see the path ahead no matter which way you are facing.
You
need to master this view system to progress really, but the good news is that it's very inuititive and easy to get the hang of, so no problems there
.
There are a few very minor negatives in that it is only single player and the party games involve having a go and passing the wiimote around for a friend to try to beat your score (rather than a "True" multiplayer where everyone's on the screen simultaneously)....but considering the type of game this is, it's not surprising and hardly missed at all.
Even Wi-Fi wouldn't really add anything to this game (I mean,
how would that be implemented?) so it's no big shakes that it isn't here.
In fact, I wouldn't even consider these to be true negatives, but mentioned it for completeness.
Music: I must say it's great. Whether it's Funked up Soul/Disco style to Chavved up Vauxhall Nova Dance Style, it's actually quite a good soundtrack for this particular game - I like.
Finally the graphics (haven't you learned by now
, they're not as important as gameplay...especially with puzzlers like this
, so I've mentioned them last).
The graphics are actually great. Nice clear images, no visible pixelation or worrisome jaggies. Bright colours, with a simple design and layout to the interface and screen. Ignition have done well here in conveying every bit of info you need on screen and nothing else (leaves your brain free to concentrate on completing the puzzles
).
I would say it actually looks pretty slick.
So how does it all breakdown?
Gameplay/Playability: 10/10 - It's the "just one more try" syndrome that really nails it for me. FANTASTICALLY addictive.
Are Wii having FUN?: Even though it can make you cry, you'll be laughing a minute later
10/10
Graphics: 8/10 - Does everything it needs to (no more no less) but does it really well.
Sound/Music: 8/10 - I don't quite know why but the music is actually really quite good in this game
Multiplay/Online: 1/5 - Unfortunately it doesn't do WiFi, but it at least has a limited multiplayer (it's really designed as a single player).
Longevity: 5/5 - You might complete the level, but you'll keep coming back just to get it PERFECT. Where it may be easy to complete with all bonuses, you may run out of time. Where you do it within time, you may lose some mercury etc etc. There's plenty to keep coming back to here I think.
Overall 84% - Gaffer's "Game That You'll Love and Hate". A great puzzler that's both fiendishly difficult in places but immensely rewarding when you succeed.
Gaffer's Mercury Meltdown Revolution review.
Linear Mode
