Deadly Creatures

This is definitely one of the more bizarre concepts we’ve seen for a video game for some time. In Deadly Creatures you play as either a tarantula or a scorpion, wandering around a desert fighting other bugs and beasts and capturing prey.

If nothing else it’s certainly unique, even if it is, at heart, just a third-person combat game. You have missions and objectives and must take out enemies while keeping your health up. Successfully completing a mission and killing enemies gives you points that go toward unlocking new moves.

Each character offers different abilities. We weren’t aware that scorpions were known for their digging skills, but here you can dig through earth, as well as cutting down dry plants. The spider, meanwhile, can jump and bounce between webs. However, both are capable of climbing up all but the steepest of slopes and this nod to the vertical makes exploration entertaining.

The graphics are fairly basic, though decent for a Wii game, but the animation of the ‘characters’ is extremely realistic, which may give those of you with phobias the creeps.

Unfortunately all this good work is undone by many elementary problems. The motion sensitive controls are slow to respond making combat a chore, particularly later on as the game increases the difficulty, leading to some very frustrating moments. This is aggravated by a poor camera angle which frequently makes it hard to see where you’re going.

The game is short-lived, too, although in fairness its very unusual plot is surprisingly compelling and very well told. It’s a shame there’s nothing to do once it’s all over, there’s no multiplayer and little reason to start it over again.

Verdict: 5/10

The combat is shoddy and irritating, it’s short and the camera is awkward. However, it does have some unique ideas and an entertaining story, so may be worth a try if you can find rent or find it cheap.