How many time have you been looking through the row after row of games in your local supplier, thinking either one of two things: "Man I wish there was something different to try" and/or "Oh, that looks interesting, but I don’t fancy chancing £30/£40 on it"? - More than once I'll wager. Well, guess what? I think we have a game here that may well put a tick in both boxes for you.
Wild Water is the first in a series of extreme/specialist sports from the French development team of Indie Games who have made it their aim to capture these sports with the most realism they can. This game is being backed not only by Salomon sports equipment, but the world’s best Kayakers to make sure it is as authentic as possible. A kayaking game then. No, no, you read that right, a kayaking game. Not many of those about I’m sure you'll agree, and I’m not so sure you'll see many more either, but what’s on offer here is not only pretty unique in subject matter, but also in terms of gameplay.
For once, the developers have taken this obvious love of the sport and based it around a control system as opposed to the control system just being thrown in. But it has to be said, it’s not the easiest, nor the most physically forgiving interaction method. All of the controls are centred on the use of the two analogue sticks and by rotating them in-turn, clockwise and anti-clockwise - to simulate the actual motion of the kayaker, you can steer the kayak as well as propel it forward and if need be, in reverse. But with this being an extreme sport, it’s all very frantic and initially, even managing to get the craft to go even in the general direction you want it to is quite a struggle! Over time though, it becomes a lot more "natural" and you won’t be thinking so much about how to steer the kayak but more how to find the best routes along the white water rapids. It can all still become a good old "waggle-fest" through blind panic though!
In the main single player mode there are two gameplay modes, one is the classic time attack, where the player is able to pick there character, equipment and kayak, then one of the 6 courses available, and head off down the course within the allotted time. The second mode (Slalom) is similar but includes the extra element of slalom gates, and so you need to head off to set the best time possible through the said gates. Not all of them need to be negotiated though, the developers sensibly saw how frustrating this would have become as they are often placed - as I’m sure you can imagine - in the most awkward places possible. This is also set to a time limit and a minimum amount of gates are needed to be passed before you cross the finish line. The added incentive here is that as you go through the slalom gates it stops the depleting timer for a short time. Some of the times needed are incredibly tough at first, but as always, practice and familiarity help get best performances. The last mode is the Expert mode, and it’s only earned once you manage to get the best times on all of the available courses. The expert mode is a true test of your skill and stamina as it combines both the above elements, and with even harder time limits.
A special mention must go to the water effects on offer here as they are very good and splashy indeed. You really do get a good sense of the power of the water as it’s throwing you around and you’re struggling to keep control of the craft, as it bounces and bobs towards the vicious rocks and cliffs. The game has some of the nicest water effects I’ve seen in some time, and reminded me of the first time I saw Wave Race on the good old N64. The rest of the graphics aren’t so bad either to be fair; textures and the environments are crisp and believable looking, but with graphic weather effects on some of the stages, it is prone to some poor slow down, and unfortunately it is the sort that hinders the gameplay.
But let’s not forget that there is a multiplayer mode on offer here as well. Not only do you get the good 'ol two player split screen racing, you can also partake in the rather fun 4 player mode where all four of you control the same craft! Sounds a bit bonkers, and it is too. Don’t worry, the four characters aren’t all stuffed into one small kayak, they're all in one of those huge inflatable rafts that you see film clips of, flying down the most insane, and downright dangerous mountain rivers, with some poor unsuspecting housewife screaming for her life, while her sons are all screaming with laughter! It’s good fun, but again, you’re all going to need a lot of co-ordination and stamina to get to the bottom of the course.
So, the sweetener here then is the price. The game has an RRP of just £19.99, so that’s the second box ticked then! This makes Wild Water pretty good value, and it’s a game where you can see the team have put their all in to making it. The only down side is that the controls do take some time to get to grips with, and I feel that unless you really are a fan of the sport, you’re best off not taking a chance on it.
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