Games

Madworld

Title: Madworld

Release date: March 20 2009

Publisher: Sega

Format: Nintendo Wii

 RRP:   34.99

Rating: 9/10

'Madworld' was apparently going to be one of the most brutally-charged games available on the Nintendo Wii when the hype first began back in 2008. And put simply that was an understatement.

Fortunately for concerned parents the hack and slash title has had an 18-certificate slapped across the box - and rightly so - this game is going to offend a lot of people.

However not everyone will look upon this title with disgust. In fact this is a much welcomed adult game, for the family-friendly console, that has been executed with grace - no pun intended.

In brief

Set in the disturbing place of terror that is Varrigan City, players participate in a game of life and death, where only the strong will survive.  You take on the role of Jack, a contestant in the deadly game show 'Death Watch' (think 80s action flick 'Running Man' with Arnold Schwarzenegger).

The concept is simple: Kill anyone who stands in your path before they kill you and ensure you do it in style. The more twisted the method of murder, the more credit you receive.

For instance; (stop reading if psychotic murder methods make you nauseous), entrap your enemy in a burning trash can, impale him using a sign post then why not throw him on a wall of spikes? And that's just the start.

Impale, pound, rip out organs and grind each foot soldier to a bloody pulp to make your way through the levels. The general combat moves can get a little reparative but it's surprising what you can use to make it more interesting.

One memorable example would be spin-launching one soldier, who subsequently landed on a catapult and then was fired on to a train. But that wasn't the end. The speeding train was rimmed with vicious spikes of which the poor solider was impaled and then unfortunately was crushed onto the tunnel wall - carnage points were awarded for this one.

This is not game for the squeamish. Using the Wii Numchucks, you can take control Jack and his weapons and in a scarily realistic way within seconds you find yourself dicing your enemies as if you really are wielding a chainsaw.

In fact, it is the controls that make this game really successful. Using a standard controller would have had nowhere near the effect offered from the technology of the Wii.

The aesthetics are impressive and a key aspect of the game. Similar to Frank Miller's 'Sin City', the black and white environments, only coloured by red blood, are simplistic but truly stunning.

With clean, sharp lines and creative characters, the world is unmistakably unique. The snappy comic theme throughout also adds a much needed quality that balances out the violence with cartoon humour.

What's the score?

An element of 'Madworld' takes you back to the beat-em-up classic games of the 90s  ('Streets if Rage' springs to mind) but brings them into the 21st century.

Although the game is relatively short to complete, its one which you can go back to again and again for a bash at the higher difficulty options.

Inevitably it will be ripped apart for it controversial value in the news and for good reason considering the foul language, gore and sexual references. Never should any respectful person play this with a child in the room. But it really is a must have for any adult gamer's collection.

The jaw-dropping violence is endless but its artistic vision is outstanding.