Critter Round-Up - WiiWare review

This farm needs a reality show called Deadliest Ranch

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Animals have behavioral quirks

  • +

    Powerups add a little depth

  • +

    "Funny" premise

Cons

  • -

    Killer chickens... yeah

  • -

    Mostly just Qix

  • -

    plus fluff

  • -

    Irritating herding-work

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Presented with a pen of beasties, you have to fence the animals into separate enclosures without coming into contact with any of them – for that spells instant death. It’s Qix on a farm. A farm of mad. What kind of farmer shoves antagonising breeds in a pen and then tries to solve the problem? What kind of chicken is it that can kill you with a single peck? Why, in the name of all things sane, is a farmer rearing foxes? His agricultural set-up is such a self-hating endeavor we’re not sure we want to help him.

Factor in some furry/feathery behavioural quirks (carnivores pursue herbivores, certain animals stun you, certain animals can hop fences) and what was a high-speed bit of fluff in Qix becomes an irritating exercise in second-guessing animal AI. Power-ups add a smidgen of strategic depth – speed-up, invincibility, carnivore-scaring weapons – and the animals do a groovy boogie when you pen them in, but since when has that ever been a recommendation?

A teeth-grindingly stupid premise belies a few okay gameplay ideas. But you’re better off getting your animal/puzzle fix fromToki Tori.

Jun 27, 2008

More info

GenreOther Games/Compilations
DescriptionCorral cute animals by building fences around them. A funny premise but herding killer chickens and foxes is irritating. It just doesn't make sense.
Platform"Wii"
US censor rating"Everyone"
UK censor rating""
Alternative names"Saku Saku Animal Panic"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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