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Destroy all Humans! Big Willy Unleashed Review for the Nintendo Wii

Destroy all Humans! Big Willy Unleashed Review for the Nintendo Wii

The release of the original Destroy All Humans game made some waves and caused some controversy (apparently some parents didn’t like the idea of their children indiscriminately destroying innocent civilians…go figure). But beyond that, there was a funny game that ironically twisted such sci-fi shooters as Halo on their head. Rather than playing as a human being killing aliens, you’re an alien killing human beings. And now the Wii gets a taste of the series with its iteration of the Destroy All Humans series, subtitled Big Willy Unleashed.

Destroy all Humans! Big Willy Unleashed screenshot

You’re thrust immediately into the role of Crypto, an alien who has reportedly been killing humans for 20 years. One of his superiors, named Cox (don’t ask me, because I don’t know), is raking in tons of cash thanks to his fast-food chain that he’s started on Earth. Ironically (and disgustingly), he is using the bodies of the many people that Crypto has killed to create the fast food chain’s popular hot dogs (another hilarious poke that astute gamers will appreciate). But a busty, bratty heiress has been kidnapped (for the umpteenth time), and she is convinced that she has discovered Big Willy’s secret, thanks somehow to her abductors. So it’s up to Crypto to take the reigns and kill some humans as he attempts to mask his boss’s disgusting secret and destroy the heiress. The reason I really mention the game’s story isn’t so much that it’s actually good, but rather that it is absolutely hilarious. As you may have gathered from reading the above brief and general synopsis, there are tons of stereotypical characters and countless nods toward the weird aspect of 70s culture (admittedly, the developers have had a lot to work with). While it won’t compel you to keep playing if you become bored with this game, the dialogue does reward players with some genuinely funny jokes.

In fact, one such humorous situation is actually the way in which the story is told; the game features some pretty decent-in-areas voice acting. Crypto, in particular, has an incredibly annoying voice that genuinely sounds as if somebody is yelling in monotone into a tin can. However, surrounded in an environment with blasting disco music and crazy hairdos, this really doesn’t seem that out of place. In fact, if anything, the cheesy voice acting only serves to enhance the theme and atmosphere of the game. I honestly can’t tell whether or not this is intentional, but regardless, it’s an interesting study in how a “negative” aspect of a game doesn’t actually have to be negative.

Destroy all Humans! Big Willy Unleashed screenshot

The game unfolds in a very Grand Theft Auto-esque style, with a scattering of missions throughout the map. However, like in the GTA games, plenty of fun can be had just roaming around using your weapons and abilities to wreak havoc on unsuspecting humans. It’s a good gameplay mechanic because there’s a sense of linearity to the game, but if that’s not what floats your boat then you won’t have to search out each mission and follow Cox’s strict directions throughout each task. The missions proceed pretty logically in your attempt to stop the heiress from disclosing the secret of Big Willy, and the plot rather quickly advances from there.

But Big Willy Unleashed isn’t just a sandbox game, because the developers have given you a great reason to actually go through and play each mission. The only way that you can unlock anything is by playing through missions. Unlockables vary widely, but the two most fun features of Big Willy Unleashed are the weapons and the mind powers. Weapons are, as you’d expect, pretty futuristic and pretty much what you’d expect. You start out with a very limited arsenal, but as you play through more missions, more of the game’s weapons will become unlocked. They range from a fairly predictable jet of electricity to an incinerator and tons of stuff in between. Much of the fun of the weapons lies in seeing how your victims react to them, because it varies vastly for each weapon. Crypto also has a number of mind abilities at his disposal, which include being able to conjure ammunition, hypnotize people to get them to do his bidding, or possess them and mingle with humans unnoticed.

Destroy all Humans! Big Willy Unleashed screenshot

These abilities are actually pretty necessary, because you’re not going to have free reign wherever you go. There are cops all over the place and plenty of people willing to put up a fight. It’s tough to get stuff done and gather information when you’re constantly under fire, so you can usually use your mind abilities to put people off the trail. For example, if you need to get around quickly, possess a body and nobody will notice you — but don’t stay there too long, because if you do the body will eventually collapse and you’ll be spewed out. Also, there are plenty of things that Crypto can’t do himself — the very first task, in fact, is to maneuver a truck to a warehouse. Rather than driving himself, Crypto can just hypnotize a human to do his bidding, while all the alien has to do is follow and make sure the truck isn’t destroyed by meddling cops.

Destroy all Humans! Big Willy Unleashed screenshot

There are some gripes I have with the game, however, and one of them is that the controls just aren’t quite as sharp as I would like them to be. You move with the Nunchuk control stick and control the camera with the Wii Remote. Simply pointing your targeting reticule to the edge of the screen makes Crypto turn, and this is one function of the game that just doesn’t work very well. It’s slow and unwieldy, and sometimes sends the camera spouting off in different directions. And on the subject of camera: sometimes, if you back into an environmental object (a wall or a truck, for example), the game randomly and without warning switches to first person view. And secondly, the graphics just aren’t quite as good as I’d expect them to be on a current-gen console. I know the Wii isn’t a very powerful system in terms of visuals, but I’d expect something better than what essentially appears to be PS2-quality graphics.

In the end, though, despite any flaws it may have, Big Willy Unleashed is a fun game. While it may seem to be geared toward gamers who just enjoy mindless shooters — and would therefore be enticed by the game’s title — it will likely be more appreciated by seasoned gamers who can appreciate the game for it’s great sense of humor. But aside from that, the largest flaw with Big Willy Unleashed is that it’s just not a very innovative game. If you’ve played an FPS before, you already know what to expect. On top of that, the controls aren’t even that great — a must for any good Wii shooter. Still, it’s a good game for those who liked past Destroy All Humans titles, and it’s not a bad choice if you’re looking for a fun, albeit not-very-original shooting title.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.4 Graphics
Disappointing, because they look about as good as PS2 visuals. Luckily, however, it doesn’t terribly detract from the game. 2.8 Control
Ouch…they’re okay, but the motion control isn’t very sensitive and it’s far too easy to get disoriented just while adjusting the camera. 3.9 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Pretty cheesy voice-overs, but I think that’s intentional. They add to the cheesy 70s motif that’s pervasive throughout the game. 3.4

Play Value
Plenty of missions, weapons, and good shooting fun, although there are some bumps along the way.

3.5 Overall Rating – Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Unleash destruction on a massive scale in an open world setting in 3 unique ways: on foot as Crypto, in the air (UFO) or in the Big Willy Mech!
  • 5 different environments to explore: Harbor City, Fairfield, Vietnmahl, Fantasy Island, and Antarctica.
  • Carry out your attacks with futuristic weapons and unique mental abilities.
  • Humorous, over the top, non-stop action. Easy to pick up and play.
  • Taking full advantage of the innovate gameplay features of the Wii, Big Willy Unleashed offers easy pick-up and play experience which is easily accessible to casual gamers.
  • Screen Resolution: Up to 480p (Progressive Scan, Widescreen).

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