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Red Steel was an ambitious title whose only limitation was the hardware. While everyone else was busy shoehorning waggle into their GameCube and PS2 games for the Wii’s launch, UbiSoft was giving new Wii owners something they really wanted, swordplay. Red Steel wasn’t particularly well received by critics, mainly due to the Wii’s inability to match 1-to-1 motions at launch. Now that the Wii Motion Plus accessory is available, UbiSoft is able to deliver the experience Red Steel was meant to be.
Red Steel 2 was originally planned as a direct sequel to the first game. But, with the new control mechanics, developers decided to take the series in a new direction. This meant dropping the modern day Yakuza-fused setting in favor of a more fantastical Japanese/ Western hybrid (think Sukiyaki Western Django, but without Tarantino). To go along with the new setting, the original’s realistic graphics were replaced with a cel-shaded, graphic novel look.
Playing as the Stranger, you return home after many years and find the place overrun by thugs. Your grand entrance back into town is interrupted when a gang captures and unceremoniously drags you into town behind a motorcycle. You eventually manage to shoot the driver and escape, leading you on a revenge-fueled quest to clean the town up.
My hands-on with Red Steel 2 at E3 2009 was my first experience with the Motion Plus attachment, and it makes a big difference. Controls are similar to the first game, but the added response really improves sword combat. Even though I had a gun and the rep kept insisting I give it a try, the swordplay was so smooth I wanted to take on everyone with slices. Swings are incredibly accurate and seem to mirror my slashing motions perfectly. Pressing (A) during slashes allows you to block and, with the right motion, parry attacks. Both are accompanied with a satisfying clang and shake of the controller that brings you into the experience. The force of your blows is also measured. The harder you swing, the harder you hit – a tactic that comes in handy when facing armored enemies.
Red Steel 2 is the experience the Wii was supposed to deliver all along. UbiSoft was sketchy on a release date, but confirmed the game will ship with Motion Plus as a pack-in. |
