Rodea: The Sky Soldier

[Nester the Lark]

I've picked up the game, but haven't played it yet. Reviews haven't been too kind, but NISA only provided review copies of the Wii U and 3DS versions, not the original Wii version. Apparently, the differences between them are pretty dramatic, however, with the original Wii version being superior. (Even Yuji Naka recommends the Wii version.)

Here's a really good comparison video:


It's kinda ridiculous that the Wii U version is a port of the 3DS game and not at least an up-res of the Wii version. It's too bad that the better version of the game will likely end up being an obscure collectable.

[nocturnal YL]

This looks strange. Why not just combine them into one version? A single Wii U version with Wii's lighting and control would do.

I thought about buying this, but I'm not quite sure. My motivation is that I have only one third party Wii U title (that is actually multiplatform) and want another, and it's unlikely that the system will get any more. There are a few exceptions, but I'm not interested in playing Silver Star Shogi or Taiko Drum Master. But it wouldn't make much sense here if the recommendation is to throw away the Wii U version and stick to Wii (my current setup makes it difficult to play Wii games too). Not sure if I'll like something that looks like a 3D Sonic, either. I liked Sonic Adventure 1, but all those chains and predetermined paths make me feel like I'm not playing a platformer at all.

Maybe I should give it up. I don't even have all Nintendo-published titles I want, which is in turn because I'm still struggling with the 100% completion of certain games.

And I do wonder what's your take on the game. Have you played or even finished it, and how was it like?

[Nester the Lark]

I did play and finish the Wii version last year. I only played the Wii U version just a little bit, but I had trouble getting used to the awkward controls (it really was meant for the Remote), and I just didn't enjoy the slower pace. (And honestly, it made me a bit motion sick, but I can be prone to that. Even the Wii version affected me a little, but not as much.)

With respect to the Wii version, it does have similarities to the Sonic Adventure games. It's like they made an entire game based on Sonic's homing attack mechanic. In that regard, it's really not a platform game, but a flying game. The fun and challenge comes more from chaining together attacks and racking up combos. The levels are a mix between linear paths and wide-open explorable areas.

If you have no interest in the Wii version, I really can't recommend buying it for Wii U version. Kadokawa tried to turn it into a more traditional adventure game instead of the action-arcade style it was designed as, but it really just breaks it and loses the appeal of the Wii version.