Pilotwings Resort Review
Since the Nintendo 3DS came out about a month ago, there have been some games already available, and I decided to go with this one.
Pilotwings Resort is one of the few Nintendo 3DS games that gamers can get their hands on at the moment, and until The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or MarioKart 3DS are out it will probably be one of the few games worth getting. The current selection is in all honesty pathetic, and while more titles are bound to be released later in the year I really wish Nintendo had chosen a few better games for the release. But, anyway, when I went and bought my Nintendo 3DS yesterday (which I talk about in another review), Pilotwings Resort was my game to get. So let’s see how it rates…
Actually, before I get into my review of the game I’d just like to outline the ratings system I’ll be using for 3DS games, as I’ll be getting a few of them in the coming months and they are really in a whole different world to regular games.
My 3DS reviews will be all about critiquing the game of choice from 5 different angles;
- Gameplay
- Use of 3D Effect
- Amount of Fun
- Lasting Appeal
- Overall Positives and Negatives
And now we return to your regularly scheduled review, already in progress…
The gameplay of Pilotwings Resort is all about flying various types of aircraft over, around and through Wuhu Island, the centrepiece for 2009′s Wii Sports Resort. To begin with there are 3 different types of aircraft to fly; a plane, a jetpack and a hang glider; and each has a different control scheme. This is good because it means that with each different aircraft you don’t follow the same monotonous pattern of the previous control method, and as such you are always alert (as if the 3D screen didn’t keep you alert enough) and actually challenged.
The game consists of two modes, Mission Mode and Free Flight Mode, and each of these have their benefits and downfalls.
In Mission Mode, it is the player’s task to successfully complete the missions set with the aircraft assigned, and while these missions are very varied and quite intuitive, there just aren’t enough. Seriously, I’ve had the game for little over a day and I’ve finished the missions. That said it is still very fun and the additional challenge of attaining 3 stars for every mission is something to keep you entertained for some time.
Free Flight Mode is very similar to Wii Sports Resort’s “Island Flyover” “sport”, wherin one flys around Wuhu collecting “i” points. One major difference, however, is the dramatically shortened playtime. To begin with you are allotted 2 minutes, which is barely enough time to properly explore. However it’s still fun and I suppose you can play as many times as you want, so thats not so bad… There is also the fact the the “i” points are scattered far and wide, and I still haven’t found them all/
To back all of the gameplay up there is, of course, the 3D that the 3DS is so proud of. So how is it used in Pilotwings Resort?…
Well, I can say that the 3D is certainly immersive, and well used. No matter what setting the slider is at (besides 2D) there is a sense of depth that really adds to the game. Sometimes your eyes will get tired though, and at those points the 2D imagery is a great relief.
The 3D effect also helps to accentuate the graphical capabilities of the 3DS, that being great graphics in 3D, particularly for a handheld.
Of course none of this matters unless the game is fun, and on that note it is my pleasure to say that I have had lots of fun playing Pilotwings Resort, and I still am, thanks to its universal appeal and great graphics, coupled with the 3D novelty (or is it a novelty anymore?) and as a matter of fact once I’m done here tonight I’m going to neglect Portal 2 Co-op and pick up Pilotwings Resort. Because it’s THAT fun.
What sort of lasting appeal does Pilotwings Resort have? Well…
Honestly, only a bit. Sure, it’s a great game while there’s still stuff to do, but once you’ve got 3 stars for everything and collected every “i” point, you’ll probably only pick it up every now and then when you’re bored and want a great, quick 3D fun-run in a turbo jet.
So, overall, Pilotwings Resort has some great missions, a fun Free Mode, and is pretty darn fun.
However, it also lacks content, and after completing the game will probably get put in that fancy case you totally bought with your 3DS and left there for some time while you play Zelda or Mario.
And considering everything, I’m going to give Pilotwings Resort a total rating of…
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