World of Goo

"The world ends with Goo"

In a pile of WiiWare titles that are mostly average at best shines a beacon of unfathomable light. That light is World of Goo. A puzzle game designed by just a few people is more original than most other games.

Gameplay (10/10)- A number of goo balls (moved around with the Wiimote) are used to build structures, which need to connect to an end level pipe (going from point a to point b). The pipe sucks up the remaining goo balls and allows level advancement. A certain number of remaining goo balls must be left over to gather enough ink so basically the goal is to use as few goo balls as possible. However, not too few, as structures are likely to collapse with a lack of support. Structures that can be built vary from bridges to towers which rely heavily on the laws of physics. The game sounds extremely simple- and it is- but the brilliant level designs of this game make each goo's placement critical- especially later in the game. Goos can be destroyed if they hit obstacles like a spiky surface or a pit, so knowing how to avoid them is very helpful. Furthermore, there are different types of goo so knowing what to use at what time is key to advancing. Goo balls given at the start of each level can be ordinary, reusable, flammable, explodable, inflatable (balloons), stickable, and more.

The game is something that must be played, as I can only provide a vague summary of what the gameplay is like. The varied puzzle mechanics combined with the original level design creates magic. Signs present in each level give a small hint of what to do, but the hints are not spoon feeding- I wouldn't have it any other way. The sign painter writes these signs and tries to entertain the reader. One can almost form a personal connection with the sign painter.

Audio (10/10)- Great music, incredibly epic and powerful for a puzzle game. Sounds like a Tim Burton movie soundtrack. Sounds are cute- Goo balls have little squee's when they get closer to a pipe and gargle sounds when they get destroyed. Think of Pikmin if you've ever played that game, the sounds are similar to that.

Story (10/10)- Yes a puzzle game has a story, and also a darn good one. It really speaks about the world- from corporations to environments and even subjects like beauty. It really connects to Earth far more than one would think. Except replace people with goo hence...World of Goo. Story only appears at the end of chapters (which contain different levels) and signs from the sign painter describing the level surroundings.

Graphics (10/10)- Art style of this game is fascinating. The world sucks you in- which says a lot considering it consists of goo. Level designs are like what appears on Earth but sometimes can be far out of this world. Simple but colorful and unique is the best way to describe the games graphics. It is really nice looking- the 2.5 D type approach is anything but blocky.

Lasting Appeal (7/10)- It is too bad this has to drag down the score. There are 4 chapters (+ epilogue) with a good number of levels in each- but once it ends it doesn't prove to be that replayable. By redoing a level, the player knows how to approach it and get a better score- but that is about it- it's not going to be a different experience each time. There is an OCD score- which is getting a special flag for doing exceptionally well on a level which is a plus.The two big WiiWare titles right now (WoG and Megaman 9) would both have benefited enormously from a stage builder. World of Goo allows one to build structures randomly (with extra goo's collected throughout the game), but that is about all that is extra. However, indivdual structures can be shown off across Wifi, competing with other structures people have built in WoG.

Overall (10/10)- Despite the weaker lasting appeal, I can't give this game any lower than 10. For 15 dollars on WiiWare this game is a steal. Quit stalling and witness one of the most original video games- ever.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/17/09, Updated 02/19/09

Game Release: World of Goo (US, 10/13/08)