Taz Wanted

"It's Just Way Too Repetitive"

One day my friend and I were having a conversation on the phone. He said he has gotten this cool game called Ty the Tasmanian Tiger. I thought hey, maybe I should get that game because my friend liked it. When I got to the video game store, I couldn't remember the name. I remembered the words Tasmanian Tiger and it brought to mind Taz. Thinking that this was the game I wanted, I walked away happy. As I turned on the Gamecube and started the first level, I knew I had begun the wrong game. It was a sad, sad day for me.

Now, based on this intro, you can conclude I was not happy with my choice in this game. I was expecting something great, and even when I realized I had the wrong game, I though it could still work out. Yet the problem is the game is too repetitive. First you go through this long tutorial explaining how to play. Without this, the game would have been difficult because the controls don't make sense. Things such as Taz roaring or eating have to be explained so you can figure out the right opportunity to use each move. The controls are different then most games, and still work out. New ideas were added to suit Taz and his wild nature. Taz can do his wild spinning to destroy scenery and to complete challenges. Taz's roar can stun enemies and other things. Eating certain substances will add effects to Taz's attacks. The controls, while hard to get down, work well for this game.

Avoiding the gameplay until last, I will scrutinize the graphics and sound. My first indicator that told me this was probably the wrong game was the fact that the graphics were just plain bad. The cartoon feel turns out too blocky and many things don't seem to have texture. The only big details are on Taz and the main objectives. I do like the fact that each level looks completely different from the other though. I really just dislike the graphics a lot, which adds to the repetitiveness of the gameplay. Thinking about sounds, I can remember two distinct things. One; Taz makes lots of noise. Stupid noise. Every time you do a spin attack, Taz starts making this growling noise that keeps going on and on and on. Second; the level themes were nice and supported the theme, but repeated a lot because the levels are so long. Now I can finally rant on about the gameplay.

First off, I say the good things. The first is that the gameplay for this first couple levels is actually fun and interesting. You need to destroy Wanted posters that Sam has put up to catch you. While completing this task, you need to find 100 sandwiches, a golden sam statue, destroy 70% of the environment, and other things. You won't have a free for all though. Zoo catchers are out to collect that bounty on Taz and won't stop till Taz is caught, or you defeat them using a costume box attack. To destroy the Wanted posters, you have to be creative and use your abilities to make things happen. One interesting poster was getting up behind an ice cream truck and knocking it off the cliff with the roar. Each level is filled with things to do and items to find, yet ultimately, that is the downfall. Each level has you performing the same tasks over and over again. In each level you have the collect the sandwiches destroy things and search all over the place. It is seriously repetitive and overdone. The Wanted posters always create a new challenge, but the overall collecting turned me away. There are boss battles, but I never even got to the first because the first four levels are almost the same.

Pros:
+Good Level Themes
+Interesting Gameplay

Cons:
-Blocky Graphics
-Repetitive Gameplay
-Bad Sound
-Confusing Controls

Overall Score: 5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 10/30/06, Updated 11/30/07

Game Release: Taz Wanted (US, 10/10/02)