Now here’s a game that deserves more attention. I’ll admit, I never played the original Sin & Punishment. Yes, I realize that it’s now available on Virtual Console, so please don’t flood the comments section with how much of a punk I am for not having financially supported and experienced it… I just have not had the time. But now I think I may find the time, because if it’s anything as good as the Wii sequel I played today, it must be great.
S&P2 is an on-rails shooter, just like its predecessor, though you’re able to move your character around the screen (think Star Fox) to avoid enemy fire. It’s played with the Wii remote and the nunchuk, with the analog stick used to move your character, Z set to dodge, and B firing your weapon. You can also tap A to lock onto a target and hold/release it to fire a charged shot of projectile energy… again, very much like Star Fox 64 (actually, there are two characters to choose from: a “man” and a “woman”… the woman’s charged shot is a series of homing missiles). You can also jump off the ground and fly around to no end using the C button; I remained airborne most of the time during the demo as it allows for increased mobility and better dodging capability.
Of course, the big deal about this, though, is the ability to simply point to shoot, which is exactly why so many people are dying for a Star Fox title on Wii. In S&P2, you just move the reticule on the screen with the Wii pointer IR, and it feels fantastic. If you’re proficient enough with the Wii pointer controls, you’ll wonder after playing Sin & Punishment 2 why every 3D on-rails shooter franchise hasn’t already been ported to the Wii.
The game is also quite beautiful, with the camera wrapping around buildings and underneath obstacles and enemies swarming the screen. It’s frenetic action that’s pure adrenaline, and it’s tons of fun. This was undoubtedly one of my favorite titles of the show, as I’m a sucker for arcade shooter action.
Check out our HD video of the title from the show floor (coming very soon) for a much closer look at the game.
Also, JAM13000 asks whether or not Sin & Punishment 2 looks to serve as a suitable replacement until we see another Star Fox title announced for the Wii. After spending around 20 minutes with the E3 demo, I’m inclined to answer with a resounding YES. The game seriously plays as well as it looks, and it’s truly fun to experience. Provided it’s a deep and fairly lengthy adventure, I have a feeling it’ll be one of the more heralded Wii titles upon its release.
I hope this answers your question, JAM13000! Don’t miss our HD footage of the title as well for an even better look.
