Waggle Defense Force 3D!

[dartmonkey]

I've just finished up Mario Galaxy 2 and it reminded me of criticisms I heard around the time the first game was released. To paraphrase, 'the motion controls add nothing - if they mapped the spin attack to a shoulder button, it'd be an identical game - the star bits are pointless', etc. Many games received variously similar criticisms, and god knows companies tripped over themselves in a race to shoehorn waggle into everything. Much of it was thoughtlessly implemented, but I've also had some really great, unique experiences with motion controls and I thought a thread to note these down would be a good idea.

 

Granted, you could map the spin to a button and remove the pointer mechanics in the Galaxy games. But playing the sequel again, it struck me just how much it is asking you to do at once and how it repays you in a way that feels physically cathartic, if that makes sense. I've experienced few things as satisfying (and relieving) as a last, desperate long jump towards a distant star launcher as a Bullet Bill homes in, brushing the star's orbit and frantically shaking the controller to activate the launcher before blasting away from danger. That flick simultaneously relieves tension and gives you an outlet for expressing your victory, like they've incorporated an air-punch into the game itself. It adds so much to the moment. The few seconds pause that follow obviously serve to fully load the next area but also give you time to breathe, smile and prepare yourself.

 

I also noted how using the pointer to hoover up star bits (essential if you want the requisite 9999 bits to access the 242nd star) really splits your attention, asking the player to watch the whole screen, not only their immediate surroundings. Combining the tasks as you improve is a bit like rubbing your belly and tapping your head as you hoover up the bits while platforming and shaking the remote to spin. It's pulling you into the world. Removing the motion controls would strip this dimension from the game and I hadn't appreciated just how integral that was to the experience until I played through again.

 

So then, waggle. We've all done it, we've all got over it, but it's also given us some nuggets of real brilliance. Let's share some of those!

[Twig]

No More Heroes' waggle was extremely goddamn satisfying, even though it was a very basic "swing in the indicated direction" exaggerated not-quite-QTE deal. I loved it.

 

Skyward Sword's waggle took a while to get into but once I learned to not be bad (IT'S POSSIBLE DESPITE ALL THE BUTTS OUT THERE WHO INSIST IT'S NOT) it's actually really good and fun to get into the more intense battles.

 

Kororinpa's waggle is the most obvious; tilt the remote to tilt the world and roll a marble around. And ahhh it was such a good game. Also it had fuzzy animal marbles that made adorable squeaking sounds as you rolled them around. Yes please.

[DefaultHuman]

I thought Zack & Wiki (horrible name) made great use of the waggle. A lot of it was pretty goofy, but it was a point and click adventure with an interface designed around the controller. It was rather simple, sort of an easy version of Gobliiins (or Gobliins or Goblins), but fun while it lasted.

[Twig]

Zack & Wiki was really good too! Wow, I'd forgotten all about that game. It was such a great early title and it sold like shit. ):

[DefaultHuman]

Yeah, I checked on sales numbers hoping to see some chance at a sequel. The name was too obscure and the box art too anime-looking, I think, for Capcom to appeal to the average American demo.

[Cleinhun]

No More Heroes' waggle was extremely goddamn satisfying, 

I thought of No More Heroes as soon as I read the thread title. That game was Wii only for a while, and I assume that's partly because the waggle was practically a core feature.

[DefaultHuman]

I've also just realized that I can't mentally disassociate Zack & Wiki from Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Still on topic, as I believe they both have waggle.

[Merus]

Zack and Wiki's waggle had problems that crystallised in the final level where you had to use an inventory item with absolutely broken controls. Just the worst.

[Twig]

I honestly don't remember having any problems at all - which of course my memory is PERFECT!! eh he heheh - so if I did, they didn't affect me in as big a way as they did you to stick with me with such passion.

 

But then I've always been better(?) at everyone else than waggle? Some people hate specific things and they just don't bother me in the slightest. I don't get it. Why do you all suck at video games?????

[dartmonkey]

After finishing Link Between Worlds I'm going to expand this a little bit to include 3D. It's a similarly gimmicky addition to games that can be tacked on to anything, but requires some real thought and clever design to use well.

 

So then, A Link Between Worlds! The top down view lends itself to 3D and the game plays with verticality to make use of it. The touchscreen is a godsend for quickly checking the floors above and below on the map. I played the entire game with 3D switched on, which is a first. Everything looks crisper.

 

Another game I thought used it really well was Fire Emblem Awakening. It made the map easier to read, again, from a top-down perspective.

 

And back on waggle - Sportsfriends! I have been steadily acquiring Move controllers (and friends) over the past few months and have had a couple of amazing sessions playing it. With some low lighting that's some quality waggle! I don't think I'll ever get tired of whipping the controller out from behind my back while firing it up like a lightsaber.

 

Edit: Bah, trying to edit the topic title but can't find the topic edit thingy. Where's it gone?

 

Edit Edit: Found it.