IGN: The Conduit Review

IGN.com: It's not revolutionary, but the Conduit is a great first-person shooter designed just for Wii owners. While the game does not turn the genre upside-down, it is innovative in certain areas -- for example, it features the most customizable, precise and enjoyable controls of any console shooter created, hands down. Meanwhile, the technology powering the experience is leaps and bounds ahead of most third- party offerings for Nintendo's system. Combined, you've got a game that controls flawlessly and looks great. If you're okay with a few presentational cliches -- a story involving aliens that seems played out -- and a shooting experience that rarely strays from straightforward running and gunning, you're probably going to love the end product. If, on the other hand, you own another system, nothing The Conduit offers, fantastic controls aside, will seem extraordinary. Supposing you are a single console owner, though, High Voltage's shooter not only delivers a fun single-player quest, but an engaging online mode that will keep you fragging complete with WiiSpeak support for months to come.

[qface64]

NICE not bad at all
ill have a hoot playing it when i eventually get it

[SullyDrake]

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1.1 - eff the hype just get a trey and shatter the hype with the ultimate console, the only console, the rest are just plastic pieces of dung. ps3 ftw. it is b3yond hype. it is simply b3yond.
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[IzKyD1331]

The Wii owners now have another good hardcore game.....but I can guarantee this will still end up selling only like 50K in it's first month.
I'm not hating, but great games like Madworld and No More Heroes sold like crap while the crapware sells like theres no tomorrow

[SinnedNogara]

I disagree. Call of Duty on Wii sold well.

[Masta_fro]

its actually good?

i might just have to dust off the old wii...

[Immortal Kaim]

Cool. Not sure this is my type of game though, I want some awesome JRPG's on the Wii, case in point Tales of Graces...

[Anon1974]

There's much gnashing of teeth when it comes to third party support on the Wii, but truthfully Wii owners have only to look in the mirror to see the culprit. Sounds like this is a great game. Show developers that you appreciate their efforts and maybe we'll see more great games and less shovelware!

[Syronicus]

I have wanted to play the game since I first read about it and now that it seems to have received a good review, I might have to give it a go as soon as I can.

[callahan09]

Yeah, I've had my eye on this one for a while. Glad it's getting positive reviews, I'll pick it up eventually. Unfortunately I'm plum out of money for the moment, so it may be a few months.

I brought my Wii out to play Wii Sports with my dad on Father's Day, and we both got a lot of fun out of that simple little game. Particularly the golf. Had to go right out to the store and pick up Tiger Woods 10 with Wii MotionPlus. I'd been playing so many PS3 and 360 games for the last year and a half that I've barely even played my Wii since Mario Galaxy came out, but my experiences with Wii Sports and Tiger Woods 10 have reinstated my faith in the potential fun of motion controls.

It's actually gotten me pretty excited for the PS3 motion controls, because they seem to work exactly like the Wii MotionPlus, but with some added functionality due to the PSEye's motion-sensing and voice-recognition capabilities, and in HD graphics (Wii Sports and Tiger Woods 10 are certainly fun, but they're not pretty at all).

Sorry, that wasn't entirely on topic. Anyway, I'm definitely starting to get more enjoyment out of my Wii again, and I'm realizing that motion-sensing and pointing are actually pretty fun applications in videogames when done well. I remember playing Metroid Prime 3, it's still the only FPS I've played on the Wii besides the lackluster Red Steel, and I absolutely loved controlling my aiming by pointing at the screen, so I'll definitely enjoy playing The Conduit.

[gaffyh]

Good review score, but it's worrying that it didn't get over 9 when it is meant to be one of the best/few hardcore games for the Wii. Will still be getting this, hopefully it is as good as they say.

[Tito Jackson]

to play this game. Its about damn time.

[Pika-pie]

After watching the video review.. Im still glad I sold my Wii..

Yes im a graphics whore

[kunit22c]

Every Wii owner on here!!!!! Send me your Wii friend code, heres mine 1516909582273678 and tomarow i will finaly have the conduit!!! :D and i will send everybody my Conduit friendcode tomarow.

[akashifire]

A solid review for what sounds like a solid game.

[TheBand1t]

GG Wii owners.

[s8anicslayer]

This will be the first wii game I will buy for myself since, wow it's really been that long anyways my family has been playing the heck out of it

[swiftshot93]

Edit: No actually, I was the one claiming that Metroid Prime 3 would remain as the premiere First person shooter/adventure experience on wii, while everyone else was hyping this to be the be all end all wii game, which has now been proven isnt. HV doesnt touch retro-FACT.

Edit 2: Do the disagreers want to respond?

[ChickeyCantor]

And you were the one crying Sef was trolling?

Edit:
His original comment:
"LMAO".

[Myst]

What's so funny?

[Cheeseknight28]

Yeah, because one review definitely determines which one is better. Right...

There is no "better game." There is only which one YOU think is better.

[George Costanza]

Good to see our N4G dollars at work!

[LordMarius]

why would you restrict a fellow Sackboy

[SinnedNogara]

As of now I am wondering what Mitchell did??

Sometimes it's sad to see Sackboy restricted.

[II Necroplasm II]

http://www.n4g.com/NewsPend...

Because he approved that. lol

[SinnedNogara]

I just read it. ROFL!!

Seriously, I'm still LAUGHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheDeadMetalhead]

It's not like Mitchell was actually serious about that... :<

[faisdotal]

Sidar come back to the chat!

[ChickeyCantor]

how about, no?
Nothing personal to you though =).
Say hello to thin for me =)

[bushfan]

go get the game...i hope the game sell well..let's forget third party mini games..this game(and madworld) deserve to be bought

[spunnups]

Sega has really turned it around this gen and has become one of the premier publishers. I really never thought I would say that.

[cmrbe]

for a hardcore wii game. Surprise they said the controls are spot on. Thats good to hear.

Now watch this game sell a tiny fraction of what wii fit sold to prove my point yet again that the wii adiance are mostly casual gamers.

For me though i am getting this game. If there is one thing i like about the wii is its game prices.

[Imallvol7]

This would have been prosecuted if it was on PS3 or 360 and I think its rediculous that the Wii is held to different standards.

On another note, could anyone else stop laughing at the Conduit commercial on TV? All I could think is "I got to go pull out my N64".

[cmrbe]

but the wii is not as powerful as the PS3 or x360 which is fair enough. There is no way this game could compete visually or technically with x360 and PS3 games.

Come to think of it. I am buying 2 wii games within a month. This is a record for me. Never though it would happen. Wii Punch out is a great game.

[Seferoth75]

Every console generation a system is scored based on what it can do, not what other consoles have to offer or there would never have been 10's on the PS2.

[Anon1974]

So your finally admitting the Wii can't hold it's own against the other two consoles and it's games shouldn't be judged relative to their counterparts. Because that's certainly what it sounds like you're saying.

Mind you, I didn't hear anything about hell freezing over....
:)

[N4g_null]

darkride66 GOD man every one knows the Wii is not as powerful. The reason why we are impressed is because this thing has 88 megs of sram and is running about 700 mhz and still is putting out good shader tech. It's actually pretty incredible. What is funny is we are not paying this game as graphic whores we want to test our metroid skills online! Yes the controls are that good!

Really darkride66 stop following Sef around man. You guys don't agree leave it at that. Oh yeah why are you in every Wii articule any way even though you don't like the Wii?

[Seferoth75]

@scissor, I put him on ignore long ago. he's a clueless idiot that takes what is said and completely fails to comprehend it. I can tell from your post that he couldnt even understand my simple statement.

Systems have always been rated by what they can do, not what other consoles offer. Pc's have always been ahead of consoles so if you wanted to compare a PS1, PS2 game to a PC game they would never score a 10.. That's just the way its always been, but first gen idiots like him think because they bought a PS3 and its dead last that the world should change how its worked for 30 years so he can feel better about his purchase.

[Anon1974]

Anyone who's familiar with this troll knows he's been claiming that Wii games are just as good, and ALWAYS sell better than anything on Sony's console (strangely, he doesn't have anything against the 360, just Sony).

You'll always see me dogging him because he's a scourge on this site and an out and out liar - and I've shown him to be such time and time again. What's funny to me is that everyone else can see it but he can't because he's chosen to ignore me.

It's his own fault really. He attacked me one day, accused me of being a liar and countered with the most ridiculous claims. When I proved to him just how wrong he was and supported it with links - he started sending me hate mail. He simply couldn't handle those exchanges and ignored me after I sent him crying back to his Mommy.

Now I track him. I think he's one of the biggest problems on this site. He has no interest in discussing gaming. A quick glance at his comment history proves - he exists only to thumb Sony gamers in the eye. Personally, I'm a 360 and PS3 gamer - but I take issue with any user that tries to ruin decent gaming forums.

He shouldn't have started sending me insulting hate mail because I disagreed with him. I mean, who does that?

[Kleptic]

Seferoth...ideally what you are saying is true...but that is rarely the case...

most reviewers state that their scores are based on what else is available only for that system...and compare it as such...for the Wii...that works perfectly...as it is in no way comparable to the 360 or PS3 in almost any way...most games lack the big budget presentation, the visuals, the multiplayer, etc...to the 'real' consoles or whatever you want to call them...and as such its fair for the Wii to be treated on its own...

this DOES NOT follow over to the PS3 and 360 though...whether a reviewer admits it or not, a game is directly compared with offerings on the other system...the systems are similar in most ways, and therefor the games...exclusive or not...are stacked up against all competition in that genre...

same with the PS2 and the Xbox...the reason a lot of PS2 games where getting 10's was because those games where better than everything on any system in their respective genre...it wasn't that the PS2 simply didn't have competition for its own games (arguably such as the Wii)...it was because some of those RPGs, MGS's, and GoW's where better than everything available at the time...same with Halo for the Xbox...that was THE console first person shooter...across all platforms (excluding PC of course)...and it was reviewed accordingly...

either way though...this game does look like fun...and it seems to be a pretty fair review...I'm surprised the online is even functional, as the Wii is notoriously broken at online gaming...but great for Wii owners...the problem is though...95% of Wii owners are not looking for games like this...i'll get a lot of disagrees for that, because the people disagreeing fall into that 5%...and the rest of the wii market is not on a site like N4G...but yeah...sadly...don't expect this to sell well most likely, which paints a grim picture for the Wii's future in any form of a core market...

[mshope10]

I can't wait till later when this comment section is filled with people hating on this game.and it will show how the so called hardcore ps3 and xbox 360 owners hate on anything wii even though this is a hardcore game for hardcore gamers with good graphics great controls 12 players online, online voice chat and a 8 to10 hour one player mode and secrets and achievements!everything a hardcore player would want but watch the story will be to generic for the so called hardcore!whichs is funny cause allmost every f.p.s has a generic story i thought we all new that!but the point i'am makeing is us wii owners don't go flood there comment sections with trash talk cause we only worry about our system! but they are always in our comment section crying about the games for wii if you don't like it so much stop reading our storys its like really they don`t play there systems and stay online and cry about everything wii!cause they must read everthing wii cause they comment more then us on our own storys!notice us wii owners don't even care enough to read there storys cause we are so happy with are systems!!!!!

[FinalomegaS]

1UP

[ape007]

a red life ballon like the dkc one

1-life

:)

[kesvalk]

"you got a energy tank"
*play get item theme from metroid*

[Ldubbz]

I played this game at E3, and felt the controls were a bit loose (though I didnt get to tweak them), but I never had a prob killing things.

Graphically it was pretty good, but I did just get a small taste, and a lot of the monitors there aren't calibrated very well (go figure...).

I will definitely look to rent it at the very least.

[Zackstorm]

Good to see this game getting a respectable score from IGN.

The "cliche" story is fine, as long as I get that FPS with precision control on the Wii that I've been craving.

I can really see HV turning The Conduit into a nice franchise. No doubt they'll improve it even further, as you can see in their new projects they're already making improvements to their engine and what they can do on the Wii.

Everyone please support this game with a purchase!

[ape007]

support this game,looks so unique and fresh thanks to wii controles

online looks blazing fun

every time I see this game,the word "fun" pop in my mind,

this is definatly a great game

bubbles for the comment and YOUR AWESOME AVATAR

[FinalomegaS]

Great, going to pick this up as soon as Eb gets it.

Net is going to get flooded with the reviews soon, and we can all look forward to seeing one word... "Generic"

I don't care as long as the other words is in the review, " Great Control"

[guitarded77]

The game scores high just 'cause it's on wii, if it was on PS3 or 360 it probably wouldn't have done as well because there is competition. I'll probably pick it up when the price drops but I'm not expecting much in comparison to a my PS3 and 360 shooters. JMO

[ape007]

we had a great discussion here,rarly I see positive comments,no flame no fanboys,no dissing

very nice

BUBBLES TO ALL

[SinnedNogara]

Bubbles to you!! Just hope TheMart or Gaidrius don't enter the comment section!!

[ape007]

u know what,my new theory is that casual gamers are much better than fanboys,at least the play thier stuff,smile and then go while fanboys are fighting each and everyday about mmmmmm VIDEOGAMES....DISASTER

XD

[kissmeimgreek]

lets hope this game is the first of many excellent wii FPS's to come! you really gotta hand it to sega for showing so much support for the wii. house of the dead, madworld and this! im so happy!

[N4g_null]

ape007 you are so right the fanboys fights on the net are really embarrassing. It really is about having fun and enjoying creative work regardless of the tech.

The funny thing is Quake could have had stick figures in it and still be as addictive. A Good FPS recreates laser tag or paint ball with some added stuff and rules. This is the Wiis first quake 3 I believe. id should really think about porting that game to the Wii. Maybe epic could step up and make a better FPS on the Wii? Who knows, any way I'm not going to work today! See you at the store to pick up a copy. I think I'll be buying a few copies for my friends also.

[n4f]

i just gave a bubble to everybody
not happy? buy the game , we will meet online :@

[Raider69]

the game looks real good an its having great scores!And after a saw the other FPS they are making for the WII i kind understand the reason they went back on the word of sharing the engine assets to other dev teams!if they keep full property of this engine they likely be the most successful team working on the wii!

[ambientFLIER]

I honestly thought it would get a better score. 8.5 for graphics is good, but this was hyped to be the next Killzone 2 quality title for the Wii.

[Raider69]

i think 8 is not good is great!and from the looks its most like a 9 a must buy for wii owners!

[SinnedNogara]

We can all agree it's better than KZ1 right???

Anyway I expected it to be better, but still I can't wait for a sequel!!! Just hope we all buy it.

[pacowles]

Only 5.5-8 Hours long? Damn, that's disappointing. Still worth a rent or maybe even a purchase if the online has any legs. Looks like I'll dust off my Wii and give this one a shot; hope I'm not making a mistake.

[N4g_null]

I won't be playing it for the single player game although it will be good pratice.

[Seferoth75]

Longer than most Sony games actually. Also you missed the part where that was just how long the game lasted. That didnt include the time he wasted getting killed and starting over. So its acutally the average length of most shooters. 8 hours long

[TheBand1t]

Y'know, you make it very hard to say "GG Wii owners."

When you can't even get off Sony's nuts, my gaming company of choice. He didn't even mention Sony and you're already letting it slip.

8 hours is standard for any shooter, Sony, MS, or otherwise.

[Anon1974]

Seferoth75 said "Longer than most Sony games actually."

Really, eh? The majority of Sony games are shorter than 5.5-8 hours, are they?

What a liar. Do me a favor, because I can use a good laugh. Attempt to back that up.

What does that even have to do with The Conduit, which sounds like a great Wii title. Why would you even find it necessary to drag Sony into this conversation and then not back it up?

[Stationfan]

This are the type of games that can easily be ported towards the ps3 wands, but with an improved graphics.

[akashifire]

How would you port actions triggered with motion?

[ChickeyCantor]

Great, people think the PS3-mote can perfectly replace the Wii-mote

[peeps]

not replace but surely it is offering the same thing.... well same thing as the motion plus anyway

[N4g_null]

Hmmmmm when is the eye toy thing coming out? When will we see a game with it? How comfortable is that wand thing and why does it need a glowing glob? What analog controls do it have and how far is sony going to go before they get sued LOL.

Maybe SONy should work on the that price drop first any way.

[SinnedNogara]

I remember the PS3/360 fans saying this game sucked, but now they all want it on their system????

But who would buy it on PS3??

Edit: Running out of bubbles sucks!!! Why!!!!

[mshope10]

i love all the the so called wii owners when a hardcore games comes out that they can't talk trash on they say well i think i'll dust my wii off to get this!or maybe you don't own a wii so stay off are post cause its going good with out the trash talk!!!!!!!

[Smacktard]

This game symbolizes everything that's wrong with this generation of gaming. Sure it looks pretty good, but it's all so been-there, done-that. And people will keep ignoring Little King's Story and Muramasa. Sigh.

[kissmeimgreek]

i actually plan on purchasing all three. sadly, i expect to buy them all from bargain bins...plz guys support these great games!!! muramasa looks incredible!!!!! and lil' king looks deep an easy to play!!! CMON EVERYONE!!!

[ChickeyCantor]

Smack,
If these games get more of the so called hardcore gamer in, the 2 titles you mentioned will have more of a chance.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

renting this game tomorrow (free rentals with PS3 purchase FTW). :3

I'm not going to lie - I haven't been as impressed with Sega's Wii efforts as other people have been. HOTD: Overkill had framerate problems and was way too short, Madworld just got too repetitive, and I honestly prefer No More Heroes, and I don't even need to go into the abysmal Sonic games. My hopes aren't sky-high for this game, but I do think I'll have fun with it and hope that everybody else does too. :)

EDIT: Is this game compatible with M+? I just got it bundled with PGA Tour 10 (EPIC game, btw), and I want more games to try it on.

[TheBand1t]

Every time someone uses the kitty face emoticon, I strangle a furry to death with their own small intestine, then eat their still beating heart.

[bjornbear]

Now...just a couple more of the same calibre and the Wii might see the light of day! =D

[TheMART]

"mrnintendo96 - 4 hours ago

PM
Track
Ignore
1.2 -
I disagree. Call of Duty on Wii sold well."

Yeah dummy, what do you expect from a name like Call of Duty. That one even sells to my grandma.

COD on the Wii isn't a hardcore title anymore, even the casuals buy COD.

Now go compare with Madworld. A new IP hardcore. You should compare The Conduit with that. And even then, Madworld at least was original. It sold 66k in its first month and when in the bargain bin after a month.

Its sad, but you'll see the Conduit go the same way. Only shiatware sells and stuff with big names, like Call of Duty. The rest of the real games sells nothing, 3rd party devs should leave good games to the 360/PS3 and give the Wii audience what they obviously like, piles of minigames, nongames (Wiifit) and other shiatware.

[SinnedNogara]

But The Conduit appeals to more people. It is a "T" rated game, so you would expect there to be a larger audience. MadWorld was black-and-white, very gory, and this repelled a lot of gamers.

And Wii games sometimes sell slowly. And you can't expect every hardcore game on the Wii to sell millions of units.

[UnwanteDreamz]

I agree? Yep I agree.

[teh-panda]

*dusting*

[donnie-2105]

allthough i applaud the devs for trying something different conduit wont be a seller as fps are catered for much better on other consoles.if this game was made 1st party by ninty with added marketing and mario with a magnum it would probably be massive but the wii is for more casual gamers like it or not

[ChickeyCantor]

Yeah thats why COD:WaW sold more than a million?
( and don't say compared to the install base its bad, since no PS3 or 360 game sold 20 million +)

[paul0388]

I don't own a Wii, but I'm still real happy this game came out good. It had a lot of hype riding on it, and is another reason I'm seriously considering getting a Wii.

Keep 'em coming Nintendo, thumbs up.

[matey]

it got 8.5 for graphics because the boys at HVS are making games on a better quantum 3 engine that produces better detailed textures,better leghting,100 times more enemies on screen plus no lag what so ever thats when IGN will score the big 9 STROKE 10 for graphics i think games like GRINDER,GLADIATOR AD,MH3,RESIDENT EVIL DC,MARIO GALAXY 2,SIN AND PUNISHMENT 2,METROID M,RETROS NEXT PROJECT,ECT 2010 WILL BE THE YEAR OF AMAZING GRAPHICS AND SEQUELS FOR THE WII Q4 2009 WILL BE THE START OF TRUE HARDCORE GAMING ON THE WII WITH A MUCH STRONGER 2010

[Horny]

Besides controls what else is good about this game. They said its just straight forward run and gun with no innovation besides good controls.
Seems like they tried too hard to find something positive for this review. If you are a one console owner I guess you should pick it up, other than that you would be better off picking up some of the launch shooter like fear, rs vegas, or resistance for cheap.

[ChickeyCantor]

The whole control system is innovative.

", other than that you would be better off picking up some of the launch shooter like fear, rs vegas, or resistance for cheap."

What kind of retarded logic is that? Why not get this game and those you mentioned.
Sure if you don't have tthat much money you can always buy them when you do have the money.

"Seems like they tried too hard to find something positive for this review"
Really? he said the Core gameplay works, so thats basically enough right? Or will only the Ps3 or 360 make that special?
Its such a nonsensical thing to say that if you have aPs3 or 360 you should just ignore this game. NOT MAKING SENSE AT ALL.

[Horny]

makes sense to me, Im basically saying this game is not better than the launch shooters for the other systems. Its a generic shooter with good controls. Is it a bad game, no, but Im personally not into it, thats my opinion, if you like the game more power to you.

[ChickeyCantor]

You are giving people "advice" on a game you havn't played yourself.
There is a difference in stating your opinion and what others should do.

[Horny]

actually my friend picked it up yesterday. And you are right I only played a demos worth and dont own the game. It just didnt impress me. If you like it buy it, not everybody has to like it.

[wiizy]

great score to me.....for wii owners we need to go get this game... for xbox and sony owners who only play shooters all day since they have no variety this is nothing out of the ordinary..

[wiizy]

great game for wii owners....since xbox and sony owners have no variety this doesnt work for them.

[TheMART]

No variaty? On the Wii variaty in shiatware you mean? Instead of Rabbits having Beavers to hit on the head with a hammer?

If you don't call stuff like LittleBigPlanet, Braid, Forza 3, Viva Piniata, Overlord, Mass Effect, Motorstorm, etc etc etc variaty, what is?

360 for sure has more variaty then the Wii, PS3 catches up lately in games, but the Wii has no variaty dude... Its Mario, Zelda and a few, just a few good games. The rest is the same, all the same minigames and shiatware.