One of the great aspects to ID@Xbox is the range of titles available and also the demographic they are aimed at not only grown ups like to play video games but a younger audience as well. The special ones encourage both young and mature to share the experience and recent release Wondershot does just that.
Wondershot immediately reminds me of Bomberman with its top down four player style. Essentially an arena game with a collection of challenge based mini games and a multiplayer battle mode. Each of the playable characters has a different weapon with a special ability to give it a unique use in battle. It uses an almost back to basics system of ‘One Shot One Life’ with the simplicity that can add fun tension to matches. Hit your target and you get another shot straight away but miss and you are left rather vulnerable.
The game has a fun cartoon title with colourful characters and challenging skill Mini games that have a good variety and accessible learning curves as the player gets to grip with each character and their ability. Choosing from a bow and arrow, hammer, boomerang and a slingshot, each will make you play in a different way and as the areas change in layout, will require a different strategy in their use.
But it is the Local Multiplayer that stood out for me with the same sense of competitive fun as Bomberman making it great to play against friends and a nostalgic nod back to times of old where the only multiplayer possible was having friends sharing a sofa and playing games. The action is quick and fluid and it is not long before gloating and banter are flying around as much as the weapons on-screen. Wonder shot really is great fun but it’s limitations are noticeable.
Sadly as fun as the Multiplayer is, including a co-op horde style mode, the fact that it is only local multiple with no online option is a real shame as this could be a cracking title to match make with others. Only having four characters and weapons to pick also feels like a wasted opportunity to really give the game an organic and vibrant cast of characters which in turn bring more variety to match ups.
Wonder shot when played with friends can be great fun with enough to keep matches entertaining. But for solo play it offers rather little to keep you coming back outside of the competitive need to conquer all the challenges. It is held back by the lack of online options and though it is really designed to be a party game, it lacks anything to really want to pick it up outside of playing with friends.
This is definitely one that a younger audience can enjoy easily enough but the trickier levels may prove too challenging.
