Call of Duty: World at War (Wii)

This shooter series returns to the second World War with some modern sensibilities.
11/25/2008 11:07 PM | 0 Comments | Page 2 of 3

The control scheme is even more awkward when you use the Wii Zapper. Reloading, for example, involves twisting the Wii Zapper counterclockwise while you hold the Z button, though if you turn it clockwise while holding Z you'll cycle your weapons. This means you could unintentionally switch to your pistol after you've intentionally reloaded your machine gun.

There is, however, one control that works well -- or at least, more naturally -- here than in the 360 or PS3 versions: melee. Done by swinging the Wii remote, you can clock guys rather effectively, which comes in very handy, especially against the Japanese, who are fond on running straight at you with their bayonets.

The game also has a couple minor sound quality issues -- nothing that ruins the game or puts you in harm's way, but mistakes nonetheless. Granted, we don't expect perfect 5.1 surround sound on the Wii, but there are times when the quality dips considerably, making your commanding officers -- voiced by Kiefer Sutherland when you're an American G.I. and Gary Oldman when you're a Russian -- sound as if they recorded their vocal tracks while holding an empty tin can next to their mouth for a faux echo effect.

What World at War does do right, to a point, is multiplayer, as it has the same great role-playing game-like leveling system as Modern Warfare. It's not exactly the same, since some things had to be changed for historical reasons. For example, a really good killing streak doesn't bring in attack helicopters; it brings in attack dogs. And no, sticking out your hand and letting them sniff it won't stop them from chomping your leg.

Of course, even multiplayer isn't without its problems. While the game has a couple different modes, not all the variations are available when you start. In fact, you're limited to Free for All (a.k.a. Deathmatch), Team Deathmatch and Boot Camp (low-level Team Deathmatch) until you get to level 14. Only then can you play the Hardcore versions of Team Deathmatch -- which, not to put too fine a point on it, is kind of a dick move.

This version of World at War also doesn't have the more objective-driven modes available in other editions, such as Capture the Flag and Search & Destroy. However, since the Wii doesn't support voice chat -- the mic that comes with Animal Crossing: City Folk doesn't work with World at War -- we don't think these modes would work anyway.