Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Check your bargain bin"

Everyone must bleed. Monochromatic graphics make up your canvas and every person you maim and rip to pieces is your brush as you paint the walls red. That is the basic premise of MadWorld and Platinum Games is more than ready to help you deliver the pain like never before in their debut game.

The graphics in MadWorld can best be compared to manga, graphic novels, and comic books. A stark black and white color scheme complemented by enough blood to flood a small nation, and in one section turquoise alien goo just to spice things up. The graphics not only give the game an absolutely original look that's heavy on the style, but also help push the Wii's weaknesses aside, making them just as heavy on the substance end of the spectrum. If you've seen any screenshot of this game before than you know what to expect, a moving comic book where a man who has a chainsaw on his arm kills anything that moves.

It helps that the game's presentation is one of its strongest points as well. MadWorld fully embraces its visuals and presents it's story in a similar way as the plot unfolds as if you were looking at a different panel on a comic book page. The fact that a written line accompanies all of the sounds on the screen, like when you jump the word "zoom" pops up, makes MadWorld's presentation go off the charts.

But looking past the graphics it becomes obvious very quickly that MadWorld is one of the best beat-em-ups released in some time. Every level of the game is merely an arena that you're placed in where you have to kill as many enemies as you can in as creative a way as possible to rack up more points. Attaining certain amounts of points in any round unlocks new things in the arena, from new weapons, to health, to new traps that open up in the level for you to better kill your enemies with and BloodBath Challenges.

The BloodBath Challenges are hilarious highlights in MadWorld where you're basically told to play a very fun mini-game in almost every level, and it's a fantastic way of earning more points. These games range from launching enemies to hit a target found either on a nude woman's breast or her beaver after ramming a bottle of soda down their throats, or teeing off zombie heads with a golf club. Every single challenge is brutal and an absolute joy to play.

One of the highlights of MadWorld are the absolutely insane bosses that are waiting for you. None of the bosses really count towards the game's story, but they are a ridiculous amount of fun to kill. Many will tower over you, though some will face you at eye level, each more brutal than the other. You'll fight them in a fashion that can only be topped by No More Heroes, but if you love your games violent, bloody, and at times sexy than MadWorld's bosses really help seal the deal on an excellent beat-em-up.

While the game's bosses don't add anything to the story, it is worth mentioning that MadWorld has a surprisingly deep and engaging story. Though the game comes down to be a five to seven hour beat-em-up it only helps the game's story, as it never loses focus. You may be wondering why MadWorld has you maiming people on giant spikes placed all over the city, and the game is more than willing to let you know. MadWorld may not compare to any great literature out there, but it makes for fascinating pulp fiction.

The game's sound deserves as much attention as the visuals. The music playing in the background is reminiscent of the Office Space soundtrack, hardcore rap blaring as loud as you can make it. But it deserves recognition as it actually helps tell you about your current situation, though mainly be letting you know how badass you are. Meanwhile, two hilarious announcers sit through the game talking about the events happening. These guys are rude, savage and hilarious. If you've ever watched any form of sports you know what to expect from these guys, minus any sort of professionalism. If you love profanity-laden commentary that can only make you giggle while ramming two signposts down some loser's face before continuously ramming him ass first into a spiked bus than MadWorld has you covered.

Despite the praise for the game there are a few flaws that need to be mentioned. One that will become obvious right from the get-go is the game's camera. It isn't a horrible camera and you will adapt to it, but there will be times when it simply isn't looking where you want it to or expect it to. Another minor issue is that the announcers often repeat themselves, oftentimes in the same level.

Despite it's brevity, MadWorld is a wonderful, brutal and creative game that belongs in the collections of anyone that collects games or simply loves the zany mature titles found on the Wii. Heavily stylized graphics, addictive beat-em-up gameplay, over-the-top boss battles, a surprisingly engaging story, sharp writing and an oddly superb soundtrack all add up to make MadWorld one of the best games released on the Wii.