The problem with WiiWare – apart from Nintendo’s lack of quality control – is that many titles appear on the download service with a barely a whisper. World of Goo has had more publicity than most, but it’s still a shame that a game this good is going to go largely undownloaded. Which isn’t a real word.
Playing like a gooey mixture of LocoRoco and Lemmings, the idea is to guide goo balls safely to an exit pipe by constructing bridges, towers and so on out of the titular blobs. Physics play a big part – build a tower without a firm base and it’ll topple over, while bridges require supports and can’t be too top-heavy. While you build, white flying blobs appear that can be used to skip back in time briefly if you mess up, and there’s also the chance to skip levels entirely if they’re causing too much hassle. The mystical ‘sign painter’ also gives hints during levels. Whoever could he be?
What impresses the most is the creative level design, which never fails to challenge and surprise from one level to the next. It’s not long after the first few tutorial-style levels that new goo is introduced – green goo can be re-manipulated unlike the solid black goo, while yellow spiky goo will stick to anything. There are also balloons, which can be used to send goo airborne. Did somebody say flammable goo? Oh yes!
As far as WiiWare games go this is up there with Lost Winds and the stupidly titled Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles My Life as a King. The price might be an issue for some (1,500 Wii Points / £10.50), but it’s a polished product with plenty to see and do. Heck, I’d even go as far as saying that it’s in my top five Wii games. It’s that goo-d.
