Rodea the Sky Soldier (Wii and Wii U) Review

Where did it all go so wrong?

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

Naka himself implores that people play the Wii version. The main problem with that is the Wii version is doomed to fall victim

[@dustinj918]

It really says something about a game when it's PROTOTYPE is far more complete and fun then the finished product. Now the big question: how did the really high ups take one look at this game, and not immediately blacklist Kadokawa from the industry?

[@Folsomdsf2]

that wasn't a prototype, the game was hyped up and then... not released

[@Karxy]

Because KADOKAWA

[@ryanleatigaga7596]

This looks like something that would’ve been an anime at some point.

[@shcdemolisher]

I'm pretty sure it was an anime that was scrapped/never released and never known about.

[@elin111]

1:31 Can't be a YGO protagonist because his hair isn't twice as big as his head. It is multicolored though so I guess that counts.

[@antman1001000]

Honestly if they did just release the Wii Game with some extra polish it could have been a moderately successful game although considering 3rd Party Games rarely were successful on the console it would have made more sense to simply put it on the Xbox and PS3.

[@Darklordjadow1]

antman1001000 Agreed they should've just released the Wii game (preferrably right when it was done or when the 3DS port was delayed) but this really is a game meant for the Wii or the PC. The Wii U's control scheme could've been improved, but this was definitely optimal with a cursor to work with.

[@MP-nq9ht]

Now I know that when I pick up this game to keep the wii disc, and toss the wii u disc into a fire. Thanks for the info, jadow! Also, I guess no man’s sky is next?

[@Darklordjadow1]

MP Reviews I will probably do AIDSmoji in the meanwhile, but yes; No Man's Sky is next.

[@MP-nq9ht]

+Darklordjadow1 Well, that should be fun!

[@Takimeko]

That part about how B is mapped to multiple different things reminds me a lot of how Sonic Adventure 2 mapped pretty much everything to a single button.

[@tgmicrox2081]

Thanks to this video, I bought the game a couple of years ago, and loved it. It is a little hidden gem on the Wii and I feel lucky and happy to have it. 👍

[@TheReaperofHades]

"last Yu-Gi-Oh! reference, I swear" *then proceeds to reference YGO Abridged by saying "EFF" like Marik does x3

[@DmitriLeon2000]

"EFF" is from Perfect Hair Forever.

[@cfish0031]

Your reviews are fantastic. Like seriously, bravo.

[@jyeeeee]

Rodea on Wii U is so hard to control, that it actually feels like those dreams you have where you're launched into the sky and you can't control how high you go or where you're going, and they're super scary!

[@sharpester7277]

These Yu-Gi-Oh jokes you have made are quite hilarious you are quite funny

[@Darmoth85]

I love these reviews of fairly obscure games. :) Man, what a tragedy for the original developer tho.

[@jaygooese4242]

Interesting

[@littlefieryone2825]

This looks like it would make a great PC port (the original wii version). Imagine playing this with a mouse and keyboard.

[@carbootstudios2459]

I guess

[@onthedre]

I was looking for this game for a while, I wish the 3ds version was just a port of the wii version because this game seems like it would be outstanding on a handheld. I love the aestetic of the game, feels like NiGHTS but in a 3d space. Can't wait to play this one day!

[@symbiote1982pk]

NiGHTS is "in a 3D space"

[@onthedre]

@@symbiote1982pk Nights is 2.5d.

[@OblivionOtaku]

Big wigs screwing up a possible new franchise concept that had amazing gameplay to make a quick buck...can't say I am surprised. I even got an headache watching the Wii U port camera screw. Feeling better now, good work for this one!

[@2zporygon]

9:08 - 9:13 was that clip taken from "yu-gi-oh vrains"?

[@Darklordjadow1]

2zporygon Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's, actually. In the Japanese and actual card game he's Meklord Emperor Wisel. The way you can tell is if it were from Vrains he'd be a CG model with stuttering animation.

[@EndlessDream]

This game is another victim of executed meddling.

[@symbiote1982pk]

*executive.

[@sharpester7277]

That sonic joke where you joked on how former sonic team members with the Wii version of rodea, non sonic team members. With Sonic Mania, and a random guy with caster can make better sonic games than the current sonic team with Sonic forces despite the current sonic team having multiple chances and years of practice. Was quite clever and I am curious if you are going to review sonic forces

[@Darklordjadow1]

Bobby Sharpe Thanks! I will see if Sonic Forces is at the library. I am not keen to pay full price for it.

[@elin111]

I'd describe Forces as riding a bike with training wheels, as an adult. You're in control but the game does most of the job for you.

[@erebimar7796]

Great Video, honestly felt like a way bigger youtuber! Im rooting for ya :)

[@ThatGamingGuyfromthe70s]

For those that liked the Wii game, Yuji Naka has a new company with Square Enix and are releasing Balan Wonderworld which looks like it takes the good work laid out in Rodea and expands upon it. Seems higher budget and better support should help produce a great game.

[@elin111]

4 months later the demo comes out and its the most barebones uninspired platforming imaginable.

[@ThatGamingGuyfromthe70s]

@@elin111 unfortunately they missed the mark quite remarkably when it comes to gameplay and structure. The initial demo looked promising and having Yuki Naka on board gave this title a fighting chance of bringing something original. Its very disappointing how this turned out.

[@darkridearts]

alas... it’s not a happy ending with Balan. Time for Yuji Naka to hang the hat.

[@SaruTanku]

And 2 years later, Balance is out and it sucks lmaoo

[@Firepowerx31]

Glad to see you make another video Dark, also best of luck not succumbing to darkness when you play no mans sky

[@AlphaZeroX96]

We need a re-release of the original Wii version on modern platforms.

[@AquaFan1998]

I have the 3ds version and its very good, it has a nice up upgrade system with extra streetpass and distrabution islands. The controls are a cross between the the wii and the wiiu versions. The game looks good but the camera takes time to work with. I got the game on the christmas sale so it was cheap £4 from about £10 so im happy with that I reccommend the 3ds version as its better optomised then the wiiu version

[@DmitriLeon2000]

The "!Ǝꟻꟻ" bit was not from Yu-Gi-Oh! Abridged, -- it was Coiffio's line from Perfect Hair Forever. Besides, it sounds like a furious variation of the way of saying the word "if". So, Jadow is Coiffio CONFIRMED.

[@garretts6678]

I just realized Balan Wonderworld suffered a similar fate as Rodea. Coincidence? Probably.

[@OGPimpin]

This was the blueprint for the latest Sonic game. Crazy!

[@jamesevans1897]

Confirmed DarklordJadow1 plays Anime games, when ya gonna cover DBZF? Those chains when you're in the air reminds me of NiGHTS, could be the sound effect. Honestly the Wii version looks and sounds ( musicially ) superior to thge Wii-U version. While the Wii-U version looks superior in the menu system and the in game portraits. Which... Isn't saying much since it's supposed to be, looking deeply at the Wii-U version here and boy-howdy does the surfaces look problematic and almost pre-mature.

[@Darklordjadow1]

James Evans You mean Dragonball Fighter Z? I have really thought about it- looks fun and plenty of single player content. I haven't played NIGHTS, but the game in general has a lot of design, graphical, and sound design similarities to Sonic Team games. The Wii U version would look way better if it weren't for the film grain. Most film grains are used to subtly make things look more realistic; the fuck is it doing in a game with an anime art style?

[@elin111]

I don't know how true it is but apparently a lot of Sonic Team empolyees quit during the development of Sonic Forces. If tha' rumor is true it'd explain Forces.

[@ItsOver9000Productions]

elin111 Forces was given to 3 people to make stages. 2 who had never worked on sonic games.

[@elin111]

I know that. And Sonic Team losing a bunch of employees would explain why that happened.

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

Darklordjadow1 can you review Tekken 7 if you can find it in the library

[@Adamchevy]

Thanks for your review! Have they patched the Wii U version to make it better?

[@Darklordjadow1]

They have not patched the Wii U version. After this game was butchered most of Prope's employees got disillusioned and jumped ship (its bead honcho left for Square Enix) and the company has only had one employee for who knows how long.

[@enelpenel6915]

I found this game on clearance at Walmart. And I can see why they where so many on the shelf.

[@Majokodomo]

I got this game for my birthday back in 2016. It came with both versions! Needless to say, I enjoyed this game (though the Wii version is obviously better). But yeah, what happened here? Kadokawa should be ashamed of themselves! -_-

[@AquaFan1998]

No, they did a good job with the 3ds version

[@Feltzer342]

Am I sensing "YGOTAS" references in this video, esp. with Marik's infamous "EFF!" sound effect?

[@Darklordjadow1]

Feltzer342 Yes, I quite liked that bit. Way less jarring and funnier than a bleep noise.

[@Feltzer342]

I gotta say, that's a pretty nice touch you put on this video, esp. with the Yu-Gi-Oh! references in place. So, what's the chattiness like at Lv. 5? Does she never shut up or what?

[@Darklordjadow1]

Feltzer342 Thanks! I have not tried Ion Chattiness at 5 out of 5, but she barely shuts up at setting 4. I was not kidding that she pipes up every few seconds.

[@Feltzer342]

Then, I'm guessing at 5, you could stand still and do virtually nothing and she still wouldn't shut the hell up, right?

[@KitteauK]

To be fair Sonic Team got it right with Sonic Unleashed, Colors and Generations but it went downhill again afterwards. I heard recently that the gameplay for Forces was intentionally casualised, for who? Babies? Who could suck at a game that pretty much plays itself? Does Sonic Team even care anymore?

[@elin111]

Forces felt like a practice mode for another game.

[@elin111]

That explains two noobs working on the level design and the weird physics. Still, if they were understaffed it would've been all the more reason to delay the game, Forces was very obviously rushed.

[@garretts6678]

To me, Sonic Forces is the video game version of Fant4stic: Set up for a game that never happens!

[@wrestlerdude6955]

You remiind me of SomecallmeJohnny, man😁👍

[@zerarch77]

It's a shame the Wii U port was butchered so bad. I genuinely think it's one of the best Wii games. Some tips: If you find slow walking and wind annoying, _stop touching the ground_ . The goal of Rodea is to never, ever touch the ground. Source: Me S-ranking all stages. You can kill the spiky enemies by dashing into them _sideways_ instead of vertically. Move the cursor as you fly to change Rodea's orientation.

[@Darklordjadow1]

Zerarch77 I did catch onto the "never touching the ground" strategy, but it's still a royal pain in the ass.

[@KentaroMiyamoto21]

And to think I wanted this game at one point in my life.

[@Darklordjadow1]

Kenneth Ayoob As I said: get the Wii version

[@pantyosashu8137]

*if you can that is

[@sharkthatmakesvideos4236]

These games remind me of Gravity Rush 1&2 if they were done poorly.

[@BCRivers]

"Keep collecting those."

[@jacobxiaolong9104]

Collect the DNA!

[@scullstationstudio8511]

I feel like I watched this video 60 times I want to know the history of the Wii U side because how badly they Messed up

[@Kupomasters57]

Hmmm. I have heard about this game.this is gonna be good edit:sooo pretty much stay with the wii version

[@Kupomasters57]

HURST STUDIOS 《Movies/Games/Reactions/AndSoOn.》 no

[@Todie85]

So glad I watched this. It's on sale at the moment- but it doesn't even seem worth that lol Thank you for this video, I would have regretted buying almost as much as I regretted buying Sticker Star...

[@edwinzavala90]

Sticker star it’s a good game

[@elin111]

@@edwinzavala90 The only reason Sticker Star is hated is because Paper Mario fans hate anything that isn't The Thousand Year Door. Although the game did need to signpost its puzzles better.

[@ludicrousfool7953]

Jadow, while we’re on the subject of bad ports, I’d be interested in you taking a look at the DS version of Burnout Legends. The game was originally developed by Criterion Games for the PSP, and the title was acclaimed for translating the gameplay of Burnout 3: Takedown to the handheld while incorporating content of the first two Burnout games. The game’s publisher, Electronic Arts, later decided to release it on the DS due to its success on the PSP; the DS port was outsourced to Visual Impact, who tweaked the visuals and altered the gameplay due to the DS’ lack of power compared to the PSP. The port is widely considered to be the worst Burnout game in existence.

[@stevenicolacopoulos4216]

Haha, escaped from the Sonic team

[@ZerotakerZX]

Wow. never saw that coming! Happy you picked this game, even if I'll end up not agreeing with you.

[@chaozimpact]

This game is quite an odd ball for me since the creator just leave his biggest creation (Sonic) only then to close down his personal studio and then work for Square Enix.

[@Darklordjadow1]

Quang Dam Le Well when your first major game gets dicked around and mutilated this badly by the publisher I can't really say I'm surprised. These guys got screwed.

[@DarklightZER0]

Darklordjadow1 I wouldn’t be surprised if Sega had a hand in it. As big companies have a lot of pull in the industry and leaving your company is a big no no.

[@EndlessDream]

As of 2021 Naka worked on Balan Wonderland. The demo came out and it's got a bad reception

[@jaygooese4242]

Interesting

[@nathanthompson6720]

This game should get ported to the switch

[@Darklordjadow1]

Preferably the Wii original.

[@pastelspace4394]

Vroom-vroom-vroom!!

[@GRex7777]

At least for some versions, they DID have a little red sticker that said "bonus game" on the case. Mine did at least. lol

[@Darklordjadow1]

GRex7777 That may have been something that certain stores added to the plastic wrap; my copy had no label.

[@GRex7777]

This was on the case itself, not the wrap. Very possible they didn't do that in all cases. Not here to call you a liar or wrong or something, just saying that at least some cases had a crappy sticker. lol

[@dabbidukk]

this game had so much potential but they fumbled it insanely badly

[@jessespringer7723]

Sonia could be both

[@jaygooese4242]

Alright then

[@coolie4u]

This must be one of the shittiest games ever made, great review though, really liked watching it.

[@elin111]

Yuji Naka ran away from Sega to make Prope and their first real game was screwed over by a stupid publisher. Then he ran to Square Enix and his first game is a bland boring platformer with little substance.

[@darkridearts]

Maybe the problem isn’t everyone else, maybe it’s Yuji Naka

[@farcry223]

Great video

[@XIIIHearts]

I think the Wii ending crash was something specific to you, as that hasn’t happened to me when I play the game.

[@Darklordjadow1]

XIII Hearts No, I've read from several sources that it's in all American versions of the game; something about a missing sound file since Ion is supposed to talk over the medal tally screen.

[@XIIIHearts]

Weird, because it didn't crash for me, and I live in North America.

[@mattymills3133]

Wait, according to your Space Camp review you have Wario Land: Shake It. Have fun with that game, awesome soundtrack, decent levels, my only complateints are that the hidden maps are a little too hidden, and the challanges are very hard espically the boss challenges. By the by is a postive review coming out any time soon? I prefer negitve review cause I feel that there more fun but hey even in your hypeathicial Wario Land: Shake It reivew you could still spend 16 mins bitching about things. I'm on your sub list dispite some of your critical reserach failers (i.e. Nassyrov the dev of Air Control is not a middle-eastern name it's russian).

[@mattymills3133]

Sorry, I didn't do spell check I meant "complaint".

[@BurningAzure]

Might I recommend that you play Gunvolt Chronicles Luminous Avenger iX

[@elin111]

6:48 I recently played Sonic Adventure 2. Mapping too many actions to the same button seems to be a recurring bad habit Sonic Team had.

[@Darklordjadow1]

elin111 Too true. It wasn't a problem for me in Sonic Adventure 2, but it somehow worked like shit in Sonic Heroes and Shadow the Hedgehog.

[@elin111]

The amount of cheap deaths I had in SA2 because of that problem were infuriating. I never played Heroes or Shadow so I can't imagine how bad it is there.

[@jasoninkurai5463]

Darklordjadow1 Heroes wasn't as bad as SA2 from what I played, but Shadow fucked it up.

[@marioracer101]

Any chance you’ll review sonic forces?

[@magee_gameplay]

I can't find the wii version anywhere. The wii u version sucks so much, do you HAVE to buy the special edition?

[@Darklordjadow1]

alex magee gameplay The Wii version was not sold separately; it's packaged in certain copies of the Wii U version. Your options are either buy the Wii U version and hope it's included or buy it online. If you go on EBay you should be able to find the Wii disc either by itself or with its Wii U counterpart. Many online sellers list the Wii version as the Wii U game's "Bonus Disc" if that helps.

[@magee_gameplay]

Darklordjadow1 i found a new copy on amazon for 12 bucks. I guess i'm lucky becauase every other listing says the disc isn't included. This'll be a hard one to explain to my mom.

[@magee_gameplay]

Darklordjadow1 thanks. I got it from gamestop last week and as expected it was fun. I was looking for it for years at this point and you helped me finally get it.

[@kurgo_]

I'll be a Latin grammar nazi but it's a full millennium, millennia is plural

[@Darklordjadow1]

Kurgo I misspoke in recording and did not go back to fix it. Sorry.

[@Kaiota_Kai]

She wants his rod if you know what i mean

[@LaineMann]

Also, please do not let Christina Vee voice a quiet character ever again. She’s AWFUL at it.

[@AngellusRavenix]

Do yourself a favor and play Nier: Automata.

[@SpinyPuffs]

6:04 Did you really have to mock Forces again. Just let it go.

[@Darklordjadow1]

What do you mean again? I think this is the first time I've brought it up.

[@2zporygon]

you at least gotta admit that "sonic forces" is a billion times better than "rise of lyric" it brought back the usual super speed gameplay mechanics that other good sonic games have not to mention all the other memorable characters

[@franzpattison]

Man that zip sound effect is annoying

[@leavingontime]

The 3ds is better sorry dude it's much more easy to play control wise