Wreckateer Review

Game Reviewed: Wreckteer

Release Date: July 25th, 2012

Developer: Iron Galaxy Studios

Publisher: Microsoft Studios

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360] XBLA

Genre: Action

Rated: E for Everyone

Welcome to week two of XBOX Live’s Summer of Arcade. This week you can expect an interesting twist brought to us by Iron Galaxy Studios, so put down your controller and “kinect” your avatar into this medieval adventure.

Wreckateer is all about wrecking castles, smashing goblins, and getting paid for all the hard work in the process. You’re a Wreckateer. Wreck and Tinker will guide you every step of the way, adding new special  icons and arsenal as you progress.

Honestly, I didn’t understand why the heck this was suggested to be a part of the Summer Arcade lineup until I played it. It a bit of fun, especially for the family, targeting the younger gaming fan base.

Kinect controls are pretty basic. Step up to the ballista, a massive slingshot device, and stretch both hands out in front of you to grab the machine. Then, step back to stretch the weapon of choice lifting your arms up and down to control the height of the blast. Finally, stretch your arms out to attack using your hands to direct the movement of the weapon.

By utilizing the ability to fly or even splitting huge rocks in the sky, you can increase the impact of the attack depending on the type of weapon you are using. In addition, different perks – like point multipliers and satchels attached to the castle – will help you increase you score; climbing you to the top of the leaderboards.

Graphics are rather okay for the type of game we’re looking at, though nothing is over the top or eye popping. The score is welcoming, giving you that amusement park feel while wrecking things.

The game did seem to have its flaws. After launching a rock weapon in sky, initiating the next sequence for activating a device, will sometimes to prove to be a bit more tedious than you’d expect. Also every now and then right before launch, my XBOX avatar wouldn’t move in the same direction as me when side stepping.

To call this game what it really is, you’re practically looking at Angry Birds for XBLA, without the title of course.  You have it all, excluding the special weapon icons and multipliers.

In the end replay value matters, and Wreckateer is one of the games that are fun, but only for the moment. It’s awesome to see that your avatar is beginning to have more purpose other than accessorizing your dashboard. However, when the smoke clears, this is one of the titles that are only considered “fun for the moment.”

The Scores

Gameplay: 3.5/5

Visuals: 3.5/5

Audio: 3.5/5

Controls: 3.75/5

Value: 3/5

Overall Rating: 3.25/5