I have to say, I have a huge soft spot for the rather infectious personalities of the now infamous Rabbids. Having featured within three previous titles on Wii, in Rabbids Go Home, they now turn their attention to returning to the moon and whilst previous titles centred around either a variety of rather humorous mini-games, or firing plungers at each other’s faces, this time around Ubisoft have taken an entirely different approach and one that I guess was needed.
Placing an intrepid Rabbid team, with one making its first appearance in an irresistible pink thong (I challenge you not to laugh when you see it!), in control of a Shopping Trolley we find the series returning to its platform roots, as the gloriously pea-brain sized Rabbids aim to climb their way to their home on the Moon. To get there, players are tasked with helping them navigate a broad variety of environments whilst collecting an assortment of what can only be described as junk that is then used to amass a huge tower.
Whizzing around in a Trolley, therefore, becomes your aim for the majority of the game, with smaller portions here and there that provide variety in allowing your Rabbid team to take control of different vehicles such as a Jet Engine. You’ll find yourself navigating areas such as a junkyard, office and shopping market each offering their own humour and character, as you continue your quest items of various size for your tower. Each of these different areas culminates in the Rabbids acquiring a much larger item, whether it be a clock or globe, that will grant them a more weighty addition to get them closer to their goal.
At times the Rabbids will interact with some of the smaller items they pick up in brief cutscenes, toys and radios being examples, providing some hilarious consequences. The Rabbids’ innocence has always proven to be an adorable quality.
Each of the levels is connected by a central Downtown hub world, in which you must find the entrance to each of the games various levels. It is a nice addition rather than just placing the player within each environment once the previous area is complete, yet it isn’t overly obvious at times where to go. Whilst I can imagine some of the younger audience that will be picking up the title will eventually find their way, there is also the possibility that they may end up seeking parents for guidance – not a necessarily huge issue, but something that must be noted.
The Airport level during which you get the chance to ride a stolen jet engine, alongside the Canyon level with its rubber tube, provide some of the few chances that you will get to stray from your Shopping Trolley and end up becoming some of the more unique and, for me at least, the most enjoyable sections within the title. If a further Rabbids title was to be made along similar lines, more of these, or an expanded set of contraptions would be welcome in providing a continually varied experience… not that the Shopping Trolley isn’t fun of course! Levels can, however, be revisited though, so you can replay all of your favourite moments whilst trying to beat your previous score.
The menu in the game shows you the inner workings of your Wii Remote, in which a Rabbid is trapped inside, and twisting your actual Wii Remote in any angle will cause the poor creature to fly around and bash the sides. Here, you also gain access to an addition that can lead to plenty of funny moments – the ability to fully customise your Rabbids. The diversity of options is vast, but lacking in creativity I chose to spray paint my three Rabbids individual colours of Red, Yellow and Green, inflated their ears to enormous sizes, and placed a large white rectangular square on each of their stomachs… yes, you guessed it – Rabbidtubbies!
Controls are relatively simple, especially compared to the endless waggling of the previous Rabbid minigame titles. Navigation controls are as you’d expect, with an added motion control feature of shaking the Wii Remote causing your Rabbids to shout “BLAARGH!” This is necessary to clear obstacles from your path, as well as allowing other opportunities such as scaring humans so much that their clothes fall off! Pointing the Wii Remote at the screen will also allow you to fire your third Rabbid at enemies to stun them so that you can progress. Credit must also be given to the games equally frantic soundtrack, featuring the talents of Fanfare Vagabontu, that easily adds to the overall character of the title.
The premise of the game may seem just as naive as the little creatures that dominate it, yet it is something that never detracts from what is an incredibly fun and humorous title that anyone can easily enjoy. As Christmas approaches and many will be looking for a quirky and enjoyable family title, look no further than this latest Rabbids title – full of hilarity, it doesn’t disappoint.
Version Tested: Wii
Review copy provided by Ubisoft
