Missing That One(der)Shot
Originally released on Xbox One, PS4 and PC in 2016, Wondershot has now been ported to Nintendo Switch. The local couch multiplayer environment works well with the Switch hardware but ultimately results in a slightly more fleshed out Mario Party mini game.
From a single screen top down view, up to four players compete to be the last man standing in a one-hit kill arena. Battle mode, essentially the main mode, is for 2-4 local players only. If you are trying to play solo, you are out of luck as there is not an AI bot option. Adventure mode features a couple different options for single players. Challenge pits the player against a few dozen challenges, all of which the game keeps track of the fastest completion times. Endless is an endurance match to see how long the player can last against endless waves of enemies.
Wondershot’s tutorial actually takes longer to complete than most matches as it explains the differences between each available weapon. When using the bow, the player only has one arrow and that arrow must be retrieved before another shot can be fired. There are other weapons, like the melee hammer that can teleport, the boomerang that returns to the thrower, and the slingshot that bounces bullets off walls, but all keep matches simple and fast paced. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough replayability, modes, and variety to hold attention for any amount of time. Even with a full local party of four players, playing more than a few rounds consecutively probably won’t happen as there just isn’t enough game in which to chew. Without options, unlockables, playable characters, arenas, objectives, or RPG mechanics, fighting becomes routine.
The main menu and loading screens actually feature some detailed comic book art stills that are the visual highlight of the package. Gameplay, however, isn’t as colorful or detailed and the soundtrack is simple and limited at best. The idea of having one shot (ONE-der-shot, get it?) is an interesting gameplay mechanic but never really fully realized. At best, this party game feels like a demo for something greater.
Not As Good As: Combat (Atari 2600)
On Par With: Astro BearsPartyPlay It Instead: Nidhogg 2
By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com
Twitter: @ZackGaz