Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint

Infobox VG| title = Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint


developer = Bplus
publisher(s) =
distributor=
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|EU=September 12, 2008|NA=September 22, 2008
genre = Puzzle
modes = Single Player, multiplayer 1-8 playersCite web | url=http://n-europe.com/news.php?nid=11950 | title=News: DK Bongos Axed, Plattchen Gets New Mode| publisher=N-Europe | first=Nathan| last=Whincup| date=2008-06-15 | accessdate=2008-06-16]
ratings = vgratings|PEGI=7+|OFLCA=G|ESRB=E
platforms = Wii (WiiWare)
media =
requirements =
input = Wii Remote, Nunchuk, Wii Zapper
picture format =

"Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint" is a video game for the Wii by Austrian game developer [http://www.bplus.at Bplus] , who describe the game as a "puzzle shooter". It was the first third party WiiWare title to be announced. [ [http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/first-wii-ware-game-announced-plattchen-twist-n-paint/ "First Wii Ware game announced: Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint"] , "Joystiq", July 9 2007. Accessed July 9 2007.]

The game was released in Europe on September 12, 2008, [ [http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/09/eu_wiiware_update_plattchen_bomberman_blast_and_midnight_pool EU WiiWare Update: Plättchen, Bomberman Blast, and Midnight Pool!] ] and in North America on September 22, 2008. [http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/09/usa_wiiware_update_mega_man_9_and_plattchen USA WiiWare Update: Mega Man 9 and Plättchen] ] It is priced at 1500 Wii Points in Europe, and 1000 Points in North America.

Gameplay

"Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint" involves painting a sequence of tiles, called "plättchen" (which means "platelet" in German) the same color to make them disappear, with special tiles also painted in the sequence contributing to a point meter that must be filled in order to pass the stage. In addition to a short time limit to paint their tiles, the player must contend with items on the play field that hinder their progress, obstacles that can destroy their personified cursor, gravity that shifts tiles across the play area and unpaintable tiles.

The game includes a single player mode as well as several offline multiplayer modes where up to 8 players can take part. The single player mode includes over 100 levels, which developer Bplus claims can take from minutes to weeks to perfect. [ [http://n-europe.com/news.php?nid=10997 N-Europe: Q&A: Bplus - Developers of PLÄTTCHEN] ]

Players use the pointer function of the Wii Remote, twisting it left and right to change the color to be painted. The game also features support for the Wii Zapper, with the developers claiming that playing with the Zapper brings some advantages over the other available controller configurations. [http://gonintendo.com/?p=33660 GoNintendo » Blog Archive » More news on WiiWare title, Plättchen (bongo support!)] ] "Plättchen" was originally intended to include a multiplayer mode which made use of four sets of DK Bongos, but Nintendo has requested this functionality to be removed. It was replaced by a new "Bomb Rain Party Mode". In addition, the game also features "Copycat" and "Mission" modes which must be unlocked.

Reception

WiiWare World gave "Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint" a 3/10, deriding the overcomplexity of the game and the high price it was being sold at in Europe, which they said was "extortionate". In summary, they called the game "the videogame equivalent of trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time; there are too many elements to consider in tandem for this to be considered to be much fun". [http://www.wiiware-world.com/reviews/2008/09/plattchen_twist_n_paint WiiWare World Plättchen: Twist 'n' Paint Review] ] Eurogamer, which gave the game 5/10, called "Plättchen" "a game buried under an avalanche of ideas, few of which are adequately developed or incorporated into a coherent play experience" with its more interesting elements "obscured by a deluge of vaguely explained and often conflicting gameplay concepts". [ [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=239049 Eurogamer Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint Review] ]

References