GENRE
	Action
	DEVELOPER
	Konami
	PUBLISHER
	Konami
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-4
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	Yes
	DS COMPATIBLE
	No
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Every young, aspiring game console often finds itself with that definitive launch (or near-launch) title that articulately flaunts what a system is all about. GameCube had the chillingly short Luigi’s Mansion, which demonstrated the finer points of the new GameCube controller. DS had Kirby Canvas Curse, which made excellent use of the stylus and efficiently used the dual-screen technology. Finally, Wii found itself in precarious and uncharted territory with its innovatively different style of gameplay. At launch, it offered its potential with games such as Zelda: Twlight Princess and Excite Truck, both strong titles requiring equally strong elements of gameplay. But yet, neither title depended solely on the Wii’s unique architecture to manifest itself to gamers. Finally, several weeks after launch, Konami released the uniquely designed game of hide-and-seek we have come to know as Elebits.

visuals

Elebits boasts three distinct environments, each with its own aesthetics. These environments are the main character’s home, the small home town and the obscurely vast local amusement park. While each environment does contain elements that separate it from its counterparts, graphics are simple if best.

Don’t misjudge, however -- it's pretty easy to see the game was developed to utilize a basic, yet colorful, presentation. Perhaps the best comparable game, both in style and feel, is a title known as Katamari Damacy for PS2. While each game possesses immensely different goals, they share a basic colorful graphic style with just enough detail to distinguish what objects and their purposes are. To be blunt, Elebits probably wouldn’t have the visual chemistry that it does if it were realistic. Furthermore, slowdown occurs frequently in Elebits; for example, when too many objects move onscreen. With all the moving objects and debatably unique physics (Who knew throwing a cardboard box and a house felt so similar?), developers knew they couldn’t render anything too complex or they’d subtract from the game’s robust experience.

Actual storytelling is advanced every few chapters by means of a series of attractive illustrations. While they present a pleasant change of pace from the otherwise simple graphics during gameplay, these illustrations, though attractive, are nothing more than basic slide shows accompanied by a less than stellar storyline.

audio

Sometimes in life, one can come across something so utterly abysmal that it might be thought to be planned to be as such. The voice acting within Elebits might lend itself to the category of embarrassing, yet it somehow dances on the fine line of incomprehensible amusement. Each character speaks with such blatant abandon of common linguistics: it’s truly hard to pinpoint if developers planned on this method of storytelling as to not be taken seriously, or if it really was just that bad.

Music and sounds during gameplay are a slightly different story. While the music presentation is perky and fitting for a game such as this, it isn’t epic by any stretch of the imagination. Sound effects make themselves available by carrying out certain assignments, such as finding hidden Elebits, breaking dishes, opening doors and other destructive events. Some missions even measure sounds’ loudness; if there is too much noise, you can easily lose certain tasks.

gameplay

In its most basic form, Elebits borrows its gameplay from the antiquated game of hide-and-seek and a little zapping action reminiscent of the Ghost Busters movies of old. As a bitter, youthful protagonist named Kai, our little anti-hero begins his quest of angst to catch the creatures responsible for making him miss his favorite television show. Upon picking up his parents’ (both conveniently expert scientists in the field of Elebit studies) capture gun, his reign of zapping carnage begins with a flurry of screaming Elebits as they meet their laser-shooting maker.

Elebits has the potential to supply Wii owners with one of the first titles to fully utilize the combined powers of the Wii remote and Nunchuk. Kai’s Capture Gun is activated by pressing either the A or B buttons. Aiming is controlled by moving the Wii remote, which makes zapping the rampaging minions from electric heck into quite the easy task. Objects and items can be used by zapping them with the Capture Gun (items, however, need to be smashed forcibly against a wall or ground to be initiated). General movement is made possible through the combined efforts of the control stick on the Nunchuk and the aiming of the Wii remote to aim the camera/turn around. The C button enables Kai to stand on his toes, while the Z button will give him the ability to effortlessly crouch down to see lower things. Door knobs and water faucets are activated by grabbing hold of them with the Capture Gun, and then twisting it as if it were an actual door knob. Drawers and cabinets can be opened by pulling and pushing the remote. Overall, the developers of Elebits found a fantastic way to use the collective Wii controller mechanics in a variety of clever albeit obvious ways.

Once a basic tutorial is completed, progress will be made by traversing harsh environments such as Kai’s bedroom, the kitchen and the garage along with the outside yard, until eventually moving to the town streets and a colorful amusement park. Stages are closed environments, sometimes being sewn together with other rooms/areas, depending on the amount of Elebits required to complete the mission. After a mission or two, the angst-filled protagonist finds himself walking through not only his bedroom, but also several bathrooms, a hallway with closets and his parents’ room. As the game progresses, environments acquire new obstacles and greater depth. In some areas, loud sounds are prohibited; in other areas, objects can’t be broken. If either of these conditions isn’t satisfied, the mission will be a failure. Missions are also failed if the proper number of Elebits hasn’t been captured when the allotted time expires, or if the Capture Gun is broken by various means of destructions (ranging from toy tank missiles to projectile benches).

Elebits come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with its own unique personalities and abilities. While Green Elebits are slow and plentiful, Yellow Elebits merge with other nearby Elebits to form larger versions of themselves for the sole purpose of angrily throwing large objects in your general direction to cause various degrees of medical drama. These Elebits and others provide watts, the power element necessary to complete missions and power energy-drained electronics. Next up are the Pink and Yellow Power Elebits. These sassy little creatures provide Capture Power; the more Power Elebits collected by the Capture Gun translates to more strength to pick up heavier objects, such as refrigerators, trees, tractor trailers and houses. Then, there are Black Elebits. Not only can these spiked little beasts completely avoid capture, but if a capture is attempted, they will fly at our ever popular bitter Kai, damaging the Capture Gun. Lastly, Pink Elebits that are ever so rare. These shy and feisty critters provide additional game modes if captured.

Elebits offers a variety of mission options and extra features. Playing Main Mode will allow players to (attempt to) enjoy the game’s story; Score Attack mode gives the player the task to capture as many Elebits as possible within a time limit. Eternal Mode allows for exploration without the burden of a time limit, and Challenge Mission mode allows players to clear specific challenges (such as zapping dozens of Elebits within a very, very low time limit). Players can also view the various types of Elebits they’ve captured, as well as the many objects they’ve picked up and hurled across stages. Other bonuses can also be acquired once certain objectives have been cleared in various stages.

multiplayer

Despite providing a disorienting style of gameplay, Elebits can offer cute creature haters world-wide the chance to zap the little buggers side-by-side with their friends. While only one player controls the camera--giving them the advantage--other players simply zap and capture Elebits. Other than just one player controlling the camera, general game mechanics are the same as if they would be single player. Elebits also gives players the unique ability to not only create/edit their own stages, but also to share them through WiiConnect24. In addition, players can share screenshots they took while playing the game. Elebits is the first title on the Wii to take advantage of WiiConnect24’s potential.

overall

Elebits might not have the prettiest graphics, the best voice acting or even the best plot. Despite all this, its highly enjoyable and addictive gameplay allows this title to shine. While Elebits may be destined to be a sleeper hit, it shouldn’t be avoided due to its pure fun factor. Anyone, of any age, can pick up the Wii remote and zap a few cute little beasts. To make a long story short, for all those looking for a rich gameplay experience on their Wii, Elebits might be for you. For those who want a lush storyline or stunning graphics, this game might not be for you. There’s something strangely addictive to taking a laser to cute little creatures, especially when they chirp in agony as they’re captured…

8.8/10