Grease: The Game Review for Nintendo Wii

System: Wii, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Zoe Mode	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: 505 Games /	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Paramount Digital Entertainment	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Release: Aug. 24, 2010	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
Players: 1-8	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

If you are thinking to yourself that the game’s multiplayer modes would mitigate the lackluster story mode, think again. Although the game has a standard multiplayer mode and a party mode, both of these are simply compilations of the mini-games “unlocked” in story mode that also include Karaoke options. While the Karaoke option may seem appealing, there is an interesting problem with the game’s soundtrack, censorship.

Grease: The Game screenshot

While I understand the need to filter out certain words, Grease: The Game takes this to an extreme. For instance, the first line of the iconic “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” ends with “Lousy with V*******.” The word “Virginity” is replaced by stars, and the music pauses while the “bad” word is passed over. Other words which don’t fall anywhere close to Carlin’s seven dirty words like “Crap,” “Lust,” and “Bed” are awkwardly edited out as well, and the whole thing comes off sounding like the sixth-grade version of the Grease musical. This wouldn’t be so bad if you could turn this amazingly sensitive censor off, but after combing through the menus, I could find no such option.

Visually, Grease: The Game actually has some good aspects, but fails to follow through. Rather than using lifelike models of the movie’s well-known stars, the game uses comic-like representations. I liked this idea, and it definitely gives the game a fresh look. However, character animations are stoic, and lip syncs are either poorly timed or not present at all. Singing along with a game where onscreen avatars have their lips shut is jarring and breaks any immersion you might have had with this game.

Although Grease: The Game has a few good moments, these are too few and far between for this title to be worth your time. The poor visuals, hit-or-miss mini-games, and short length make this a title that only the most diehard Grease fans need experience. Even if you feel you must have this game, I would still wait for the game to hit the bargain bin, as forty dollars is too high a cost for an experience that is dwarfed by a ten dollar Grease DVD, which will likely give you a longer and more rewarding few hours for your money.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.0

Graphics
The cartoon-stylized characters look good, but the lack of lip sync and limited animations make this title a bore to look at.

2.5

Control
Some mini-games (like the carnival games) are responsive, while rhythm and sports-based games are hit or miss.

3.4

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The soundtrack features good vocals from an unknown cast, but the overzealous editing really interrupts the flow.

1.2

Play Value
The game’s story mode can be completed in under an hour, and the multiplayer modes don’t add much replay value.

2.1

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

In Grease: The Game, players will not only sing and dance to sixteen of the movie’s iconic songs, they will also engage in all kinds of party fun alongside Frenchie, Kenickie, Rizzo, and the rest of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds.

There are a number of pick-up-and-play mini-games for the whole family including drag races down Thunder Road against the Scorpions, sports competitions to win a letterman jacket, carnival games at the Rydell Graduation carnival, and even pillow fights with the Pink Ladies.

In story mode, gamers can fix up Greased Lightnin’ to try to win Sandy’s affections with their funky dance moves. Players can also dance their way through much-loved movie moments following Sandy and Danny on their legendary high school journey.