Rodea the Sky Soldier Reviews
Unfortunately, Rodea the Sky Soldier is flying in low altitude. There is great potential, but the bad controls and camera are what shoot Rodea out of the sky. Here's hoping we get to see a bigger and better sequel one day.
Even with a graphical facelift and some new customization options, the Wii U version of Rodea pales in comparison to the Wii build, and it doesn't come close to Naka's earlier works.
Kadokawa's interpretation of Rodea the Sky Soldier on Wii U misses the mark on so many levels, and it's a prime example of how to butcher a solid idea for aerial action.
It's hilarious to me that this version of the game feels the most natural, when it's treated as nothing more than bonus material! The Wii iteration of Rodea comes packed with the first run copies of the game, and Naka himself actually announced on Twitter that he'd like fans to play it, specifically. Was that a subtle indictment of the other two versions of Rodea? Hopefully not, especially because (as you've seen in my reviews of both games) neither is terrible by any stretch of the imagination. That said, playing Rodea on Wii it becomes clear that the system was the true destination for the game. The controls here feel the most natural (though still, sadly, imperfect), taking full advantage of the Wii Remote's excellent motion-sensing capabilities. The Wii version of Rodea feels more unique than either of the other takes, and though it's nowhere near as pretty to look at as the Wii U iteration, it's also packing a respectable presentation. Why the motion controls couldn't have at least been an option for the Wii U Rodea is confusing, and I walked away wishing Naka and company would have given that proposition some more thought before moving forward with the control scheme they ultimately settled upon. I'm pleased that all three Rodea games are available to experience, however, and this bonus disc should act as some compelling frosting for those who choose to buy the game for Wii U.
Somewhere in this package lies a great game with plenty of excitement to offer- it just has a hard time presenting itself. Is it fun? Of course it is. With enough time and dedication, not only would you be able to master the game and its controls, but also have experienced one of those rare feelings of complete satisfaction just for having played the game. It also depends on your own tastes. Some would say that the best version of the game is the original Wii version, which is only available exclusively with the launch version of the retail game. I can't say that for myself, having only played the Wii U release, but if you're interested in Rodea the Sky Soldier, keep a sharp eye out for the retail version.
Rodea the Sky Soldier has the odd interesting idea, but numerous gameplay problems betray its troubled development.
I do believe that Rodea could have been a good little game. The ambition it has going for it is certainly appreciable, but ambition not put to good use is ambition wasted. Unfortunately, despite being one of the few high profile third party Wii U games, Rodea is a dud.
Suffering from technical gaps, imprecise controls and a predictable and clichéd plot, Rodea still manages to display an interesting concept and gives the player a degree of freedom that is unusual in similar titles. Pity that its qualities don't weigh enough to redeem its flaws.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Overall, Rodea the Sky Soldier is an interesting game and worth owning for anyone with a Wii or WiiU.
When a Sky Soldier falls