Another Platinum game, where even on a first play-through as you bumble your way though combat encounters you'll hit a stride and come out of a fight with a platinum combo ranking and a smile on your face. You sure didn't ace that time ranking, and maybe blew a healing item or two, but by golly that air combo you accidentally initiated looked incredible, Wonderful, even.

I guess I could review this game like a ranked fight:

OUR HEROES AT PLATINUM GAMES DO IT AGAIN

Time: 15-20 hours, not too long, not too short (and if you're a 101%er, triple that number). Some might not enjoy the pace it doles out its story content, maybe for some it lags a bit in the 2nd quarter. But man do we ever just ramp up from there. The story just moves at a brisk, Wonderful pace as we approach the finish line, and boy does it pay off.

Combo: 9999, whether you're talking the mechanics, story, music, characters, style, presentation, there's no part of this game that isn't firing on all cylinders. There is no better feeling than seeing that platinum combo pop up. For some it'll take some time, but eventually you'll hit your first big score and man, it just gets better from there. The story just goes and goes and continues paying dividends, and just when you think you're at the end, ohhh no bud, strap in, you're in for a Wonderful ride to the finish line. One I very much doubt you'll want to turn off once you've entered the last stretch of the game. Certainly in no small part due to the music pushing you along, with our Wonderfully orchestrated Tables Turn popping up to help you end out a long chapter. The characters (and VO performances, my goodness), from the Heroes to the Villains who steal the show, the style of it all (so incredibly shiny and spandex-y), and the presentation wrapping it all up with the Wonderful pre-mission briefings, small respites of banter between Wonderful Ones after fights, its a miracle it all holds together so well. Of course there are some shortcomings in some areas, especially the remaster quality, but we save those for...

Damage: 999, because lets be real, while its great to have (almost) rock solid 60fps Wonderful 101 for some stylish Wonderful action, there's a bunch of little nicks and dents on this Wonderful package. The buggy camera above 1080p, the 59hz oddity (at least fixable with a mod), and very not remastered visuals are a few of the big issues that at this point are mistakes we shouldn't be seeing anymore. Not to mention the endless debate on dodge/counter moves being unlockables (even if they are basically free).

If you can take the (admittedly in most cases small) issues, The Wonderful 101 is another Platinum-ass Platinum Game. That is to say, as most of you'll know by now, these aren't for everyone. But there's a reason we all went nuts when this was announced. Worst case, there's an easy mode, and a fully automatic mod to boot. Which is great, because the story alone is worth the price of admission (but do stay for the combat).

Wonderful 101 Rank: Platinum

It ain't Pure Platinum, but they can certainly take another swing at it after a few fixes.

That or a sequel...




#WonderRed4Smash