Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure is a game that can be easily written off as just another cartoony, kiddie-themed, casual crap-o-thon for the little white bitchbox. It is -- if you're a cynical loser that can't look past the cel-shaded visuals and cutesy characters. In reality, Zack & Wiki is the equivalent of biting through the candy shell of a M&M and finding the entrance to Hell -- completely unexpected, yet satisfying.

I spent last night seeking adventure in the world of Z&W, dying horrible deaths, shaking Wiimotes, reading, scratching my head and cursing...all with a huge grin on my face. Adventure gaming is back!


Evil comes in a cute package

Zack & Wiki looks and feels like LucasArts and Sierra had a little too much to drink back in the 90s, got touchy-feely and birthed a golden, wish granting dinosaur. The classic "point-and-click" control is there, the visual style is cute, bright and vibrant, the music is fun, classic and goofy not unlike an old 1950's serial and the gameplay and humor can be downright sinister. Your flying monkey companion is all too happy to remind you how mortal you really are and if that isn't bad enough, death is around every corner. I'm not talking "fall into a bottomless pit" type death here, no, I'm talking about "crushed by a giant boulder" death or "captured by hungry cannibals" deaths. The game will straight-up hate you, but when you do succeed, it's a very rewarding experience.




Waggle Waggle

There's been some concern expressed about the game being littered with waggle mini-games. To assuage your fears, I will say this is very, very WRONG. The way you interact with items in the world and the way you solve puzzles is all tied to the motion control aspects of the Wiimote. However, rather than having you just shake until you puke, you operate items like you would expect to. Pulling a lever has you grip the Wiimote vertically and pull down, using the Centi-Saw you point the Wiimote forward, grip it with two-hands and perform a "sawing" motion -- think Wario Ware but better. These are just basic examples; later on you get to start thinking outside the box and using more unique items in more unique ways that really sell what more developers need to be doing controlwise.

That's not to say you won't be waggling. You will need to "shake, shake, shake" at certain points as this turns Wiki into a magical bell. Yes, a magical monkey bell thing. The Wiki-Bell turns monsters into necessary items, such as the Centi-Saw (centipede) mentioned above, as well as exorcising the treasure chest at the end of a level. It doesn't feel stupid or "tacked-on" so don't go thinking that, embrace the motion control.


There can be only one

In this day and age, if a game doesn't have multiple paths and/or achievements, most will feel there's no point in playing it again. While Zack & Wiki may not have a completely different 2nd quest or multiple endings, if you're a score-whore, there's plenty for you. Each level gives you a rating based on how many HirameQ or "HQ" points you get. These points are obtained by solving the various puzzles scattered throughout the level. Screwing up a puzzle and having to re-do it will net you less points and ultimately a lesser rating at the end of the level. Believe me, you don't want the game telling you that you suck, which it will do. If you're a perfectionist/completionist, you have a lot to aim for with this system.




Epic Fail, Epic Rewind

Besides puzzle blunders goofing your score, there's also the little business involving "Oracle Dolls" and "Golden Tickets." The dolls are the in-game hint system, in case you suck, and the golden tickets let you revive to a point before you did something really stupid. Both of these can be purchased at your hideout with coins you find throughout the levels, but they come with a price besides money. Every doll or ticket you use will count against your score at the end of a level. So, if you're going for a high score run through and you die, you'll have to start at the beginning of the level. Yeah, it sucks, but I said this game was out to hate you.




The Truth is...

Gamers are always crying out for new and unique experiences, often pointing fingers that the Wii isn't providing anything beyond gimmickry. Zack & Wiki IS the title jaded gamers have been looking for. It's fun, exciting and shows just how dead adventure gaming isn't -- or rather how the shambling zombie is finding a cure for its condition.

I'm telling you flat-out: don't skip this game. Don't skip it because of the visuals, don't skip it because you think you'll waggle for 4 hours and kill yourself and most importantly, don't skip it because of the "hype." This is a seriously great game that needs to be noticed, played and placed into a gamers' time capsule for future generations to take notice. I can safely say that this is, without a doubt, the best Wii game to date. Buy it, love it and hope for a sequel.