11-14-2006, 06:12 PM
[For those of you who have never read one of these, a "First Impressions" is usually a review from a few minutes of gameplay before a system/game is released. This is based on the Wii that I played at my local GameStop.]
Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Monster Games, Inc
Genre: Racing
Release Date: 11/19/06
Excite Truck, like the NES-age inspiration Excite Bike, revolves around catching major "air". This is accomplished by hitting the "!" icons spread throughout the map. Hitting one causes the land to shift, and may send you careening across the sky. The game is a typical racing game; however, monster trucks are the main vehicle. Races usually last for 2 laps.
I recently had the oppurtunity to try out Excite Truck (and a few other features of the Wii) at GameStop. I decided to write a "First Impressions" review, so I'm also using it as an audition for reviewer. Let me first say the primary thing I noticed about the Wii in general was the controller. It's a lot smaller than I thought. For Excite Truck, the controller plays a very unique function. Due to the "heavy traffic" my GameStop was receiving, I did not have an employee explain the controls to me, but I just had them yell as I was walking to the demo "2 is accelerate!"
With that small knowledge, I started to play the game. The controls are very simple- 2 was accelerate, and the steering is completely controller by tilting the Wiimote. At first, driving proved to be very akward, but once I got the hang of it, I don't think I've ever had more fun with a video game. I really got into it- more than just tilting the controller. I would lean to the direction I wished to turn and occasionally take a side-step or two. I had several people watching me on and off, and I bet I looked like a dork, but they didn't get to have as much fun as I did.
Although the controls impressed me, little else did. The graphics were not what I had seen from other Wii games, and the sound did not stand out at all. Most importantly, I saw little choice of trucks, although there were many colors selectable. I cannot quite see myself buying this game for just the controls, so I wouldn't expect a full review from me.
Excite Truck recieves 7.5 rpm out of 10.
Pictures thanks to IGN.com.
Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Monster Games, Inc
Genre: Racing
Release Date: 11/19/06
Excite Truck, like the NES-age inspiration Excite Bike, revolves around catching major "air". This is accomplished by hitting the "!" icons spread throughout the map. Hitting one causes the land to shift, and may send you careening across the sky. The game is a typical racing game; however, monster trucks are the main vehicle. Races usually last for 2 laps.
I recently had the oppurtunity to try out Excite Truck (and a few other features of the Wii) at GameStop. I decided to write a "First Impressions" review, so I'm also using it as an audition for reviewer. Let me first say the primary thing I noticed about the Wii in general was the controller. It's a lot smaller than I thought. For Excite Truck, the controller plays a very unique function. Due to the "heavy traffic" my GameStop was receiving, I did not have an employee explain the controls to me, but I just had them yell as I was walking to the demo "2 is accelerate!"
Uh-oh... better turn on climate control.
With that small knowledge, I started to play the game. The controls are very simple- 2 was accelerate, and the steering is completely controller by tilting the Wiimote. At first, driving proved to be very akward, but once I got the hang of it, I don't think I've ever had more fun with a video game. I really got into it- more than just tilting the controller. I would lean to the direction I wished to turn and occasionally take a side-step or two. I had several people watching me on and off, and I bet I looked like a dork, but they didn't get to have as much fun as I did.
THIS is what AWD is for.
Although the controls impressed me, little else did. The graphics were not what I had seen from other Wii games, and the sound did not stand out at all. Most importantly, I saw little choice of trucks, although there were many colors selectable. I cannot quite see myself buying this game for just the controls, so I wouldn't expect a full review from me.
Excite Truck recieves 7.5 rpm out of 10.
Pictures thanks to IGN.com.
