Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

"A Great Game that Has its Frustrating Moments."

Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barboros' Treasure was released October 23, 2007 for Nintendo Wii. This game is really unique because it is a complete puzzle solving game. You must play through a series of levels in different areas. When push comes to shove, Zack and Wiki is an awesome and clever game, but it has its frustrating moments. I will go into further detail about that below.

Story
This game doesn't really have much of a story, but it has enough to form a plot. You are Zack, a novice pirate who wants to be the greatest pirate in the world. You work for a group called the Sea Rabbits, and your partner is a golden monkey you found on your adventures. You and Wiki must embark on a quest to find the scattered pieces of the legendary pirate Barbaros. If you put him back together, he'll give you the ancient ship spoken of in all the legends. However, you will not have an easy streak to the treasures. Dangerous pitfalls, merciless foes, and a spoiled brat who commands a team of idiots stands in your way. The story is pretty good and very intriguing for a puzzle game. Not bad at all.

9/10

Controls
The game is played using the Wii Mote only. In order to move Zack, you must point at the designated spot you wish to go and click there with the A button. To pick up an object or climb something, you must also point and click using the A button. The B button moves your camera. Most of the controls are point and click, which has a major setback. Doing this means you have to be lined up with the censor bar. If you aren't, you won't move, and you could die because you couldn't dodge. The controls are a little faulty because of this.

7/10

Graphics
One thing about this game that makes it cool is the graphics. This game has beautiful graphics. The enemies/areas were all well done and spectacularly well thought out. The effects and movements of the objects were so cool, as were the effects of the various items you found in this game. Basically, the graphics are fantastic. A good puzzle game with graphics that don't suck equals epic win.

9/10

Sound
This game has some pretty cool sounds. I like the creepy mysterious noises when an enemy or something comes after you. It's pretty cool. I also like the music for the levels and stages. Very cool music. It never gets repetitive.

9/10

Gameplay
This is where the game has its frustrating moments. You basically go from level to level and solve challenging, clever puzzles. However, if you make one mistake, it's game over, or you have to start over. Sure, you have revival tickets and oracle dolls for hints, but they get expensive after a while. Your best bet is to just look at an FAQ if you get stuck because the oracle dolls aren't always helpful. Make sure you have plenty of platinum tickets just in case you mess up. The game isn't that bad. You get to turn enemies into items and use them to solve the puzzles. This game is pretty cool.

8/10

Replay Value
This game has tons of replay value. You have 30 hours of gameplay, puzzles to solve, and secret treasures you can find back in the levels once you clear the game. This game is definitely playable a second time.

10/10

Rent or Buy?
I would definitely pick this game up. It is worth the money and a fun puzzle solving game for the Wii. It's a great game for people who like to think. If you don't like to think or like challenging games, this game is not for you.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I'm giving this game an 8. Zack and Wiki is a great game that is really fun to play, but the game has its frustrating moments. If you can overcome the minimal flaws, you will enjoy this game.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/21/08

Game Release: Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (US, 10/23/07)