Escape from Bug Island (Wii) Review

The promise of a game akin to the gore-filled action of Capcom's Resident Evil series or the scare-fest that is Konami's Silent Hill sounded like the perfect match for a Wii console that was to bring Nintendo a large chunk of the 'mature' market, rather than leaving the new console classed as yet another platform for children. However, sadly for Eidos' Secret Stash Games release label, Japanese developer Spike had fallen into that age-old trap of rushing a game out to hit the launch deadline of a new format. It is a curse seen across many platforms over the years, with the horrendous Universal Studios on GameCube being a prime example, plus other rushed titles like Cruis'n USA and the painful FIFA 64 on the Nintendo 64 being burned into the memories of gamers around the world. Spike is by no means a bad developer, with it currently working with Goichi Suda's Grasshopper Manufacture on Wii's No More Heroes, which hits Japan in just a few days, but Escape from Bug Island see the company having a 'bad day' as the game really does feel unfinished and lacking any real polish, scare-factor or even enjoyable gameplay.

Everything starts off with the rather cheesy premise of three friends, two guys and one pretty young piece of meat, travelling to a wondrous island full of never-before-seen creepy critters. After a camera shot of the woman's derriere in a short skirt and some playful banter between the guys, it is revealed that shy, retiring Ray is only tagging along for the ride because he likes Michelle so much. However, as he is about to tell her his feelings, Mike, full of wooden machismo and bravado, declares his undying love for her, much to the chagrin of Ray who knows his best mate's history as a bit of a ruthless Casanova. As a result of the advances, she scurries off into the fog-filled island all on her own to clear her head. Mike then gives chase, leaving Ray, the game's lead, and his fear of bugs all alone and ready for action.

That story, complete with its ham-fisted acting, is probably the highlight of the game, in all honesty, since from then on in it turns into a third-rate action adventure game that would not have looked too out of place at the GameCube's launch. With dated graphic models that look not only basic in structure and jerky movement, but dull in colour and expression, and a soundtrack that is completely forgettable, not adding to the expected atmosphere found in this genre normally, Bug Island is what we in journalistic circles like to call 'wishy-washy'...(*ahem* technical term, obviously). Anyway, attacking involves holding down B and whacking the Wii controller downwards, dodging left means having to shake the Nunchuk and right involves doing the same with the Wii-mote. All the moves are very rudimentary, but also not as responsive and smooth feeling as other Wii motion-controller titles. Rolling basically gets you out of any impending danger and repeatedly holding B and shaking for dear life will also get you out of most problems without too much hassle (although the resulting severe pain in your right arm from trying to get the clunky controls to respond properly can get you down somewhat). As for the character movement, running forwards is perfectly acceptable, if a little on the sluggish side, yet trying to move backwards or quickly turn around is annoyingly awkward, leaving the camera to go haywire and results in players being momentarily disorientated. Cutting edge stuff it most certainly is not...

To be honest, there is not really too much to say on the game. With cumbersome controls, overall poor presentation, a story that is not engaging in the slightest and monsters that have no scare factor at all, Escape from Bug Island turns what could have been a great filler product for Resident Evil fans into a huge waste of time for anyone other than the small group of Wii owners so desperate for a new game they will plump for anything. As for reasons to actually replay Bug Island, there are three difficulty levels on offer for anyone resilient enough to stick with this for longer than a few hours instead of digging out the receipt and returning it straight away. But those people will definitely be in the minority. It is probably best for everyone to just steer clear of this effort and wait for Eidos's other Wii game, Tomb Raider Anniversary...