Tochopyl

Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars is an indie title featuring charming graphics, innovative level design and an inspiring world to explore. The soundtrack is done amazingly by none other than Les Claypool and its a game definitely worth purchasing if you have a Wii, albeit a short game length and some other minor issues. Now for the details: Meteorites fall from the sky, giving consciousness to the most unlikely of things. You play as Pax, a Bolete mushroom wandering the world to find meaning in his life, until he comes across a piece of the meteorite and absorbs it. He then ventures forth into the world, exploring the depths of nature. It's during these exploration periods in which the game shines most. Though the levels are somewhat linear, there is still a sense of voluntary discovery. This is amplified by the various other meteorites spread throughout the game that serve as interesting collectables. There is a decent amount of platforming to be done, but it doesn't feel so generated like in other takes on the genre. The graphics look beautiful for the Wii; they really make you believe Pax's journey, but things can get very dark and gloomy at times, so remember to keep the lights on. Les Claypool's previously mentioned compositions fit the scenery well and make the dark aesthetics really pop while you're playing it. There is no auto-camera; you have to move it yourself. This title didn't have an AAA-sized budget so expect to see some nontraditional (and occasionally sloppy) HUD for the options. Combat is a bit simplistic as well, but all of this is more than compensated by the amount of love that went into this title. In a nutshell, this game is a hidden gem with a couple of flaws, but keep your mind open, and soon you'll find yourself with one satisfying experience. The price on Amazon is pretty good too…