Feedback: How good is Zack and Wiki on Wii?

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Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure is getting some solid early review scores. The $40 game, out this week, currently has a metascore of 86% on Metacritic.

IGN: One of those welcomed surprises ”“ an unpredictably top-quality undertaking whose winning marriage of sometimes-genius environmental puzzles and beautiful graphics will suck you in. It also perfectly encapsulates what I always hope for but seldom see from third parties: an original Wii project that really makes the most of the console.

Game Informer: In the Wii’s expansivve gutter of shoddy third-party ports and minigame garbage, Capcom is showing that it’s possible to make something original and fun.

Due to an abnormally busy workload (and World Series tonight), I won’t be able to play the game until tomorrow at the earliest. So let’s here it, Infendo Nation — How good is the point-and-click adventure game?

CAPCOM® RELEASES ZACK & WIKITM: QUEST FOR BARBAROS’ TREASURE, A PUZZLING NEW ADVENTURE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE WiiTM Pillaging Pirate Adventure Challenges Gamers to Play Different

SAN MATEO, Calif – October 23, 2007 – Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that ZACK & WIKIâ„¢: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure for the Wiiâ„¢ home video game system from Nintendo is now available at retail. Capcom’s first original title exclusively for the Wii is an innovative, full-length puzzle adventure game that utilizes the unique control mechanics of the Wii Remoteâ„¢ and challenges gamers to “play different.” Rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), ZACK & WIKI: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure carries a suggested retail price of $39.99.

Legend has it that a revered pirate named Barbaros once stole the world’s treasure and hid it on a mysterious island. Though no one knows of its exact location, stories about the untold riches that lay in wait have been passed down through the ages, driving pirates from all walks of life to pursue the alluring prizes. One of these treasure seekers, a young apprentice pirate named Zack happens upon a mysterious talking skull, the skull of Barbaros himself. Barbaros promises to reveal the key to the island, if Zack will help to lift the curse he is under.

Players will explore a variety of wondrous environments and stages, solving puzzles and interacting with the world in search of a legendary pirate ship and the ultimate pursuit of becoming the greatest pirate the world has ever seen. Inventive gameplay mechanics and controller movements allow players to move and open objects, transform enemies into items, unlock new pathways and navigate through perilous stages based on a variety of themes including Jungle Ruins, Frozen Temple, Volcano Cavern and more, each with multiple sub-areas. Players will use the Wii Remote controller in various ways – rotate handles, turn keys to open doors, play a piccolo and much more in order to solve the progressively difficult puzzle stages and collect key items that will lead to the legendary pirate ship.