Deadly Creatures (Wii)

DEADLY CREATURES recounts the tale of two men on the quest for a hidden treasure. What makes the Nintendo Wii game so unique, however, is the story is told through the eyes of two six-legged creatures: a scorpion and tarantula. You alternate between controlling both creatures as they navigate the desert, encountering foes such as rattlesnakes and horned lizards.

The scorpion and tarantula each boast unique fighting styles. The tarantula is nimble and can fire off quick strikes. The scorpion is slower, but packs more punch. Players use the nunchuk to move each creature, while the remote unleashes attacks. Using the motion controls, players can also execute quick flourishes with the remote for special strikes. For example, when playing as the scorpion, quickly flicking the remote downward unleashes a tail sting. As you progress through the desert levels, the creatures will feed on grubs or grasshoppers to stay alive.

Seeing the story unfold through these creatures is very clever. You'll watch your scorpion or tarantula gaze at these giant humans as they discuss their efforts in hunting down treasure. The combat is quite rewarding. Players receive a wide variety of attacks, which are slowly introduced as you advance through each level. There are also plenty of different bugs and smaller animals to keep the action exciting, although there are some lulls in activity.

Platforming is very entertaining as well, particularly with the tarantula, who flings webs across the landscape to traverse difficult spaces. One major frustration with Deadly Creatures is the game's camera. When the pace picks up, the camera has trouble keeping up, giving you awkward views. During one battle, the camera sat overhead, obstructing any views of approaching enemies. Players in search of a unique platforming experience should consider cozying up to these creepy-crawly creatures.