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MadWorld

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For other uses, see Mad World (disambiguation).
MadWorld
Developer(s)Platinum Games
Publisher(s)Sega
Designer(s)Atsushi Inaba (producer)
Shinji Mikami (game designer)
Shigenori Nishikawa (game designer)
Yasumi Matsuno (writer)
Composer(s)Naoto Tanaka
Platform(s)Wii
Genre(s)Beat 'em up
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

MadWorld is a video game developed by Platinum Games and published by Sega. It was released for the Wii on March 10, 2009 in North America, and is scheduled to be released on March 20 in Europe[2] and March 26 in Australia.[1]

Gameplay

From a third-person perspective, the player controls Jack, a mechanic and former marine with a chainsaw on his arm, as he competes in a violent television show.[3] Control is handled through the Wii Remote and Nunchuk attachment, with the Remote controlling his weapon and the Nunchuk moving Jack. MadWorld does not make use of the Wii Remote's infrared sensor, as its developers found it unnecessary to pinpoint movements on the screen in order to attack.[4] Players perform brutal melee attacks on enemies using objects found throughout the environment, such as impaling an enemy's head with a caution sign.

The game features extreme, over-the-top violence, but designer Shigeunori Nishikawa intends it to be seen in a comical light despite the dark tone of the game.[5] For example, in a minigame called "Man Darts", players must hit enemies onto a giant dartboard with a baseball bat to score points.[6] However, because of the intended level of violence PlatinumGames is unsure of whether or not the game will ultimately be released in Japan, stating "In certain markets there are a lot of limitations on the amount of violence you can show, so we definitely have the Western market much more in mind".[7]

MadWorld features highly stylized graphics that use a limited color palette of high contrast black and white with red blood, partially inspired by Frank Miller's Sin City graphic novels.[5]

Plot

In MadWorld, Varrigan City has become a target for a group of terrorists known as "The Organizers". The Organizers have taken over the city and transformed it into the setting for a game show called Death Watch,[8] where the city's citizens are being forced to fight for their lives against mysterious enemies, for a prize of 100 million dollars.

Characters

  • Jack: A mechanic and former marine with a chainsaw equipped to his right arm, Jack is sent to Varrigan City by the President in order to help collapse Death Watch. Jack is the lead protagonist and player character of MadWorld, and is voiced by Steven Blum.
  • XIII: A representative for one of the sponsors of Death Watch, XIII is named because he represents the thirteenth sponsor. XIII makes appearances on television screens throughout Varrigan City.
  • The Black Baron: A pimp who devises the Bloodbath Challenge minigames. After explaining how each game is played, he is humorously killed by one of his consorts, who makes him an unwilling volunteer in a live demonstration of each game. He is the final boss of the game, using a mix of boxing and what appears to be chi manipulation to fight.
  • The Announcers: They say things based on what is happening in the game. Howard "Buckshot" Holmes is the play-by-play commentator. Chris Creeley is the color commentator, and a surviving veteran of DeathWatch. They make jokes throughout the bloodbath. Voiced by Greg Proops and John DiMaggio respectively.

Controversy

MadWorld has been the subject of controversy in the United Kingdom due to its violent subject matter. John Beyer, director of mediawatch-uk, has expressed his distaste over the game's content, stating his desire for it to not receive a rating from the BBFC, which would effectively ban it from being sold. He stated "We need to ensure that modern and civilized values take priority rather than killing and maiming people."[9] European fans' response to the organization have been hostile, accusing mediawatch-uk of being "cowards" and "narrow-minded bigots."[10]

On August 19, Sega announced that MadWorld will not be released in Japan.[11] However, Sega plans to release MadWorld in Australia, another country with strict video game classification.[12] Despite this, it has been reported that the game will officially be released in Australia in its original, unedited format with a MA15+ rating.[13]

Nintendo representatives have supported the game, reiterating that the Wii is a system for anybody, including adults, and that the game, like all video games, would be rated and would therefore be available for purchase to people of and above that age rating.[9] In a preview, Eurogamer commented: "It's difficult to understand why there's so much controversy surrounding MadWorld when the violence is so very Tom and Jerry... It really is hard to be offended... because it's just so ridiculous."[14]

On March 10, the National Institute on Media and the Family issued a press release expressing their disappointment in Nintendo for allowing Madworld to be released on the Wii.[15] Stating, "In the past, the Wii has successfully sold itself as being the gaming console for the entire family and a way to bring family-game nights back into people's living rooms. Unfortunately, Nintendo opened its doors to the violent videogame genre."

Reception

In its April 2009 issue, Nintendo Power gave MadWorld a 9/10 rating. IGN gave the game a 9.0/10, praising the style, gameplay, and music, but criticizing the camera and short length, though they mention that the hard difficulty level lengthens the game and increases the challenge considerably.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b Capone, Anthony (07 Feb, 2009). "Updated Australian Release List - 6/2/09". Australia's PAL Gaming Network. Retrieved 2009-02-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Mad World". Nintendo. 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  3. ^ Kennedy, Sam (2008-05-15). "Previews: MadWorld". 1up.com. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  4. ^ Razak, Matthew (2008-05-15). "Updated / First details on Wii's MADWORLD". That VideoGame Blog. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  5. ^ a b Casamassina, Matt (2008-05-15). "Eyes-on Mad World". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  6. ^ Crecente, Brian (2008-05-15). "Madworld: A Fun Romp Through Dismemberment". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  7. ^ Leone, Matt (2008-05-15). "Platinum Games Unveils Four Sega Titles". 1up. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  8. ^ Morgenstern, Alexis (2009-01-30). "MadWorld TV DeathWatch Trailer From SEGA (video)". Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  9. ^ a b "Parents horrified as most violent video game ever to launch on 'family friendly' Wii". Mail Online. 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  10. ^ Purchese, Rob (2008-11-13). "Fans rage at anti-MadWorld campaign // News". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  11. ^ "House of the Dead: Overkill and MadWorld banned from Germany". Nintendo Everything. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  12. ^ "SEGA planning to bring MadWorld to Australia- What are you waiting for?". GoNintendo. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  13. ^ "Unedited MadWorld approved for Aussie release!". Australian Gamer. January 16th 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ MacDonald, Keza (2008-09-19). "MadWorld Preview". Eurogamer. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  15. ^ "NIMF Disappointed with Nintendo". IGN. 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  16. ^ Casamassina, Matt (2008-03-09). "MadWorld Review". IGN. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-03-09.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MadWorld&oldid=277228168"