One of the most featured games in pre-launch was the “fencing” game in Wii Sports Resort. I saw the videos from E3 and the promotional stuff and just had to try it. After my really bad experience with Clone Wars: Jedi Duals, the bar was set pretty low.
More Kendo than Fencing
When you set up for the game, you’re put on a circular platform above the water (think dimensions of a wrestling mat) and are equipped with your “sword”, which resembles a kendo shinai, head guard, and chest guard.
The motions are simple. You hold the Wiimote vertically and swing it to swing your sword. Pulling the trigger (B button) activates blocks so you can move the wiimote to parry oncoming attacks from your opponent. Though the on screen tutorial suggests holding the wiimote with two hands (like you would do in kendo), I used one hand.
Fun Gameplay
I wanted to see what you could do with the game, so instead of just swinging away and wailing on my opponent, I held back to see what the parry system would be like. The earlier opponents are like your U rated fencers – they wind up and you know exactly where they are going to strike. Parries are executed as traditional sabre guards – 3, 4, and 5 will do just fine.
When you make a successful block, the attacker is “stunned” for a second which gives you the time to make your riposte. As you make successful hits to your opponent, they are driven back until they fall off of the mat, to fall American Gladiators style into the pool below.
Worth it
Overall, the gameplay of the swordfighting game lives up to its billing. You can just wail away and get past the first few opponents quickly, but the higher skilled computer opponents are better at shifting attack and defense and mix up their patterns a little better.
While Wii Sports Resort does come with the Wii Motion Plus sensor add-on, you’ll need to purchase additional ones (at about $20 each) for your other wiimotes to be able to do one-on-one duals with your family and friends. (I haven’t purchased the additional Wii Motion Plus yet.)
My kids (4 and 6) enjoy just having another version of “lightsabre fighting” and wail away at their opponents. I’m enjoying setting up parry-riposte combos and testing out various tactics. (By the way, you can thrust and hit in this game.)
The lack of footwork control is a drawback, but it really does simplify the gameplay. (I would prefer some sort of way to dodge or get out of distance similar to Punch Out.)
Fun Games Unlocked after Duals
The other swordfighting games are a cutting challenge and then “running the gauntlet”. Do the cutting challenge once to unlock the 3rd game, where you are the typical kung-fu hero fighting through the horde of bad guys until you reach the “big boss” (who really isn’t that great either).
Adventure Mode: Video
I’ve only played that game once, but it was a lot of fun having my Mii run across a rope bridge cutting through 20 opponents in just a few seconds!
Next up: Archery
Of the other games I’ve played so far Archery has been the big hit. Takes patience but it’s cool and makes me really want to find a place to learn and shoot a real bow.
I got my version of Wii Sports Resort from Amazon.com.
What did you think of it?