Death and Deadly Creatures on the horizon for Wii

When gauging the prospective power and prowess of the current crop of videogame consoles, impassioned platform fanatics often compare the software exclusivity of the Xbox 360 against that of the PlayStation 3 -- a comparative squabble won quite easily by the former during 2007. However, what of the Wii and its collection of exclusive titles?

Sure, we all know that first-party Nintendo offerings such as Super Mario Same Game Different Environment, Legend of Zelda: Same Game Different Aesthetic Metroid Prime 4: Same Game Different Backtracking, and Mario Kart: Same Game Different Generation are all-but guaranteed to wow the punters, but how is Nintendo fairing when it comes to bolstering its third-party ranks.Helping to stamp out the idea that Nintendo does not support its systems from a third-party perspective, publishers Eidos and THQ have both popped up today in order to let the world know about two new exclusive software titles hotfooting it to the Wii in 2008.

First up is THQ’s Deadly Creatures, a third-person action thriller developed internally by THQ’s “critically acclaimed” Rainbow Studios (Cars, MX vs. ATV: Unleashed), which throws players into “a venomous world of desert terror, where the greatest victory is survival.”THQ offers that using the Wii’s unique control mechanic players will be able to experience every pounce and tail sting as they “follow the entwined adventures of an armoured scorpion and a stealthy tarantula as they struggle against a variety of creatures.” Sounding somewhat like Kane & Lynch: Dead Men or Army of Two in insect form, Deadly Creatures will see the creepy-crawly duo taking on vicious Gila monsters, lizards, tarantula wasps, black widows and Man!“Deadly Creatures is a creepy, cinematic thrill ride, where the distinction between predator and prey can shift around every corner,” squealed Nick Wlodyka, executive producer and general manager at Rainbow Studios, while pretending to be an upturned beetle. “With brutal motion-controlled combat, a dark compelling story and some of the best visuals to date on the Wii, we are excited to bring Deadly Creatures to a large core Wii audience that hungers for a new experience.”

Awesome stuff. Now onto Eidos Interactive and its continued association with Death… or rather the son of Death. Eidos and Backbone Entertainment (Monster Lab, Sonic Rivals) have this week whipped the cowl of expectancy off yet another bony Death Jr. adventure with the confirmation of Death Jr.: Root of Evil for summer 2008.Offered up as a “spine-tingling, humorous platform shooter,” the game will see players once again assuming the role of the Grim Reaper’s teenage son as he battles to defeat Furi, and evil and powerful spirit accidentally released by Death Jr. and his friend Pandora while arguing over a mysterious cocoon collected for a school biology project.“Death Jr.: Root of Evil is a compelling and action-packed game experience coupled with lots of humour as gamers play as the Grim Reaper’s misfortunate teenage son,” squealed Ray Livingston, Brand Manager at Eidos, while spookily taunting co-workers from beneath a white bed sheet. “Played solo or together with a friend, Death Jr.: Root of Evil is a great addition to your Wii collection if you enjoy fun-filled, challenging platform games.”
With players able to take on Furi and her evil hordes as either Death Jr. or Pandora (or play cooperatively with a friend), 60 unique enemies and bosses await throughout 19 levels of 3D platform and shoot ‘em up action. And, with the added attraction of the Wii Remote, players will also be able to unlock and unleash tons of exciting moves and combos to help dispatch evil through the powers of Death. Always a winning combination in gaming circles.So there you have it (or them). Two more Wii-bound third-party titles guaranteed to be ignored in favour of Nintendo’s latest wholly unoriginal ‘rescue the stricken princess’ epic. Good times.