Wii - Madworld

Reviewed By: Mindesyn, Byronic Gaming, Canada

Madworld for the Wii is a highly stylized beat em' up, one of a kind experience. This mature title boasts over the top violence, tons of blood and gore, very coarse language, with not so subtle sexual overtones which overall makes for a unique and memorable experience.

You star Jack Cayman, an ex-marine and cop turned badass. Equipped with a prosthetic right hand in which a chainsaw is attached. You are entered in a game show named 'Deathwatch' where the contestants try to kill each other to survive and progress through the rounds. Through all the bloody mayhem and chaos a well thought out and complex plot unfolds as you make your way through the swarms of bodies.
Huge faceless corporations take over an island and trap the contestants in it, and they televise the bloodsport for betting purposes among other things.

The art style is what one would expect from Platinum Games Inc. The company only was established in 2009 with Madworld being its first title, but some might remember a company called Clover Studios who were responsible for such games as Viewtiful Joe and the underrated Okami. Distinct art styles in both of those games, and this game is no different. Sporting a sleek Sin City black and white art style with splashes of bright red blood. Gives the Wii bragging rights in the graphics department for once.

The voice acting was amazing borrowing the talents from industry mainstays Steven Blum (Who voiced Jack) John Di Maggio, and Greg Proops who star the commentators for the game, both inventive and entertaining. My only problem with the voice acting on the commentators parts is the lack of dialogue, if you take your time in the levels you often hear them repeat themselves an awful lot, whereas it's still humourous and entertaining, it can make the overall gameplay seem repetitive.

Speaking of gameplay and controls, for such a diverse game engine, the controls were surprisingly simple to understand and very responsive. Use the A button to soften em up, then motion controls were used to do finishers, or use items. The point of all the crazy themed violence is to dispatch other contestants in not only gory agonizing ways, but stylish ways. The more fancy the kill the more points are awarded, you can mash through the games with the basic killing styles, but the real depth lies in the inventive and creative ways you can kill the players. In the first level alone, you can stick a street sign through a player's skull, and slam him over and over into a huge spike, saw through hordes of contestants with your chain saw arm among many, many different interesting ways to kill. The boss battles usually have quick time events in which epic cutscenes take place amidst the combat, not to mention the finishers are just insane and plain fun to watch.

Overall the game is really a simple concept, great art style, music was fitting, voice acting was entertaining and served its role. Inventive, simple controls made for a enjoyable experience. Gameplay can get repetitive as any beat em' up styled game. Characters were unique and interesting including one over the top racial stereotype aptly named 'The Black Baron' who is a pimp who attempts to smack his ho around to demonstrate the mini games, and in return ends up getting owned by the scantily clad lass.
It's a shame this game didn't sell as well as it should have and at a lowered price no less. Pick this one up if you want to relieve some stress.


For Byronic Gaming I give this game 3.9 Chainsaw Decapitations out of 5