Wreckateer

Last updated
Wreckateer
Wreckateer logo.png
Developer(s) Iron Galaxy Studios
Publisher(s) Microsoft Studios
Engine Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s) Xbox 360
ReleaseJuly 25, 2012 [1]
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Wreckateer is a puzzle video game developed by Iron Galaxy Studios and published by Microsoft Studios for the Xbox 360. Set in a fantasy medieval era, Wreckateer casts players as part of a demolition team tasked with destroying various structures. Players use the Kinect motion sensor to launch projectiles from a ballista and then guide them in-flight to their targets.

Contents

Gameplay

In Wreckateer, the player is the newest employee of the Wreck & Tinker Destruction Company, which has been hired to demolish castles and other structures that have been infested by goblins. The player is armed with a ballista that launches various enchanted projectiles, and the object of the game is to destroy as much of the structure as possible using the provided projectiles. After the projectile is loaded, the player readies and aims the ballista by pulling away from the Kinect sensor, then launches the shot by spreading their arms.

Many shots can be nudged in-flight by swiping at them in the desired direction, while some have special abilities that can be activated when the player spreads their arms widely above their head. For example, a Bomb Shot will explode on command, a Split Shot will break into four smaller, linked projectiles, and a Flying Shot will sprout wings, allowing the player to fly the projectile into a target. [2]

The level starts with a pre-set number of shots, and the level ends after the last shot has been fired. Points are scored for damage to structures, elimination of goblins and for collection of floating bonus icons. [2] Players receive medals for reaching certain scores, and receipt of at least a bronze medal unlocks the next level.

Development

The game was announced in 2012 with an announcement trailer. [3] The game was more formally unveiled during Microsoft's press conference at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012. A spokesperson demonstrated the gameplay stage, complete with motion gestures.

The game was released as a part of the Xbox 360 Summer of Arcade series.

Reception

Wreckateer received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [4] Chris Watters of GameSpot lauded the game's "enjoyable score-chasing and good Kinect controls", [2] while Mitch Dyer of IGN said the game "falls just short of 'irresistible addiction' and instead settles for 'amusing distraction'." [12]

The Digital Fix gave it a score of six out of ten and said, "With no real story to speak of, and little variety in the levels besides the occasional addition of snow or a waterfall, this isn't the kind of game you'll play for hours. In fact, Wreckateer is highly reminiscent of a smartphone game, the kind of thing that is a lot of fun, but only in short bursts." [17] The Guardian similarly gave it three stars out of five and said that "as good as it is, The Wreckateer[sic] won't win over anyone who isn't already convinced by Kinect. It looks like players may have to wait for the next generation of consoles before that's even possible. [15] Metro also gave it six out of ten and said it was "the closest thing so far to a 3D Angry Birds game, but although the Kinect controls are fine it's the gameplay and visuals that need adjusting." [16]

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References

  1. ↑ Larry Hyrb (June 19, 2012). "Summer of Arcade dates and prices". Major Nelson. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Chris Watters (July 23, 2012). "Wreckateer Review". GameSpot . CBS Interactive . Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ Microsoft Studios (March 5, 2012). "Wreckateer". YouTube . Alphabet Inc.
  4. 1 2 "Wreckateer for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  5. ↑ Ian Bonds (July 24, 2012). "Review: Wreckateer". Destructoid . Enthusiast Gaming. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  6. ↑ Ray Carsillo (July 23, 2012). "EGM Review: Wreckateer". EGMNow . EGM Media, LLC. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  7. ↑ Dan Whitehead (July 23, 2012). "Wreckateer Review". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  8. ↑ Matt Helgeson (July 26, 2012). "Wreckateer: Good Design Marred By Spotty Execution". Game Informer . GameStop. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  9. ↑ Daniel R. Bischoff (July 23, 2012). "Wreckateer Review". Game Revolution . CraveOnline . Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Wreckateer Review". GameTrailers . Viacom. July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  11. ↑ Robert Workman (July 23, 2012). "Wreckateer review". GameZone. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  12. 1 2 Mitch Dyer (July 23, 2012). "Wreckateer Review". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  13. ↑ Corey Cohen (July 23, 2012). "Wreckateer review". Official Xbox Magazine . Future US. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  14. ↑ Griffin McElroy (July 24, 2012). "Wreckateer review: under siege". Polygon . Vox Media . Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  15. 1 2 Nick Cowen (September 3, 2012). "The Wreckateer [sic] - Review". The Guardian . Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  16. 1 2 David Jenkins (July 26, 2012). "Wreckateer review - angry goblins". Metro . DMG Media . Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  17. ↑ Jordan Erica Webber (August 8, 2012). "Wreckateer Review". The Digital Fix. Poisonous Monkey. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
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