Análisis Conduit 2 en inglés [Nintendo Power]

Much ado was made about The Conduit when it was released in 2009. Developer High Voltage Software seemed to push the Wii console to it´s limits with the goal of providing Wii owners the same kind of first-person-shooter experience that was available on the competing platforms. Alas, the first product was hit-and-miss-the graphics, the amount of controller customization and the number of online-play options were quite impressive, but the single-player experience felt generic and the ending was unsatisfying.

Fortunately for those frustrated by The Conduit´s cliffhanger finale, Conduit 2 picks up right where the first game left off. Main character Michael Ford and his sidekick, Prometheus-whose consciousness now resides in the All-Seeing Eye (ASE)- are hot on the trail of manipulative baddy John Adams, following him across the globe and shooting the numerous human and alien enemies that get in their way. Things have changed since the first Conduit title, though; all of the main characters have new voice actors (sorry, Kevin Sorbo fans), and Mr. Ford and Prometheus have undergone a bit of a personality shift. The Mr. Ford/Prometheus relationship is akin of that of Michael Knight and KITT from the television show Knight Rider-the cocky, one-liner-spouting Mr. Ford is counterbalanced by the prim-and-propper Prometheus. The pairing works, but it´s too bad that Mr. Ford´s voice acting still isn´t great; his delivery makes the one-liners feel extracheesy.

Thankfully, the gameplay remains as solid as ever. Not only are the controls ar completely customizable, but Conduit 2 also supports the Classic Controller. Granted, you may not have the same level of precission as when playing with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck control scheme (especially with the Wii Motion Plus accesory attached to the remote), but I personally prefer the Classic Controller when playing a first-person shooter on a console for long stretches at a time.

It´ unfortunate that the controls aren´t supported by a better single-player experience, however. Sure, there are moments of greatness (the ending stands out in particular), but there are alson moments that should be great (the battle against the Leviathan, for example). I wish the set pieces were as thrilling as the ones in other recent Wii first-person shooters, such as the reimagined GoldenEye 007.

But Conduit 2 is worth playing for the same reason its predecessor was: the online multiplayer. Up to 12 people can compete against each other in modes that range from the traditional (Deathmatch, Capture the flag) to the more imaginative (Balloon Battle, ASE Basketball). The more of the multiplayer you experience- or the more objects you scan in the single-player game-the more credits you earn to buy weapons, armor (with which you customize your character´s look), and upgrades (allowing you to sprint infinitely, for instance, or heal and be healed more quickly by allies). As an added bonus, some of these upgrades carry over into the single-player campaign, which helps make things easier.

Conduit 2 certainly has some issues, but it´s hearvening that High Voltage Software took people criticism´s of the first title into account when developing this follow-up. Here´s hoping that the third time –if there is one- will be prove to the charm. –Justin C.

NOTA FINAL: 7.5 (Bueno)