Happily Stuck in a World of Goo


                                                                     Look, it’s a licorice jellybean orgy!

Since the launch of Wiiware, Nintendo has needed a ‘killer app’ to establish the virtual store’s viability. While battling limited system storage space and a rumored cap on game size, few titles have rivaled the compulsory selection of games offered via Xbox Live and the Playstation Store. All that could change with a small title developed by the two man team of Kyle Gabler and Ron Carmel, better known as 2D Boy.

World on Goo’s core gameplay is delightfully simply. Using the Wiimote, you grab small, globular droplets. As the player brings those to the edge of a structure, a translucent figure will display, showing how the goo piece will expand your core building. One click of the “A” button will release the droplet in place. Each added piece affects the overall balance of your structure; one or two goos on the right side and your carefully assembled construction will be leaning like the Tower of Pisa. Imagine trying to build a tower out of warm Junior Mints and toothpicks, and you have a good idea how Goo’s gameplay works.


                                                                                             Clank, is that you?

While the first type of goo the player encounters offers a one-time use, sacrificing its body for the sake of the structure, others are recyclable. Additionally, the player will find highly elastic, rigid, and even flammable goos. The amount of variation in this title is both ingenious and inspiring; each level feels delightfully unique. Environmental hazards are equally fascinating- from chain saw blades to be avoided, to constructing a tower within a revolving cylinder, each level has its own separate identity.

Goo’s bright colors and overall cheeriness may remind gamers of PSP title Loco Roco. Graphically, the title contains enough diversity and beauty to rival a disk-based game.  Each of the game’s forty-eight levels has a vibrant cartoonish style that complements the gameplay exceedingly well.  For multiplayer games, the basic premise remains, but players must communicate to build cooperatively. We could see a lively session erupting from this option.  Gamers can expect at least six hours of play out the title, which seem quite fair for the fifteen dollar admission price.


                   World of Goo is all about the smiles. It’s nearly impossible to resist its charms. 

World of Goo’s weakness is typical for most puzzlers- enjoyment rapidly decreases with subsequent level playthroughs.  Once the player has gleaned the winning strategy for a level, there is little incentive for replay. To remedy this, players can return to previously played levels to collect additional goo that is used in the World of Goo Corporation. This mini-game challenges players to build the tallest structure possible from collected goo balls. Players are then ranked globally via the Wiiconnect 24 feature. For us, this was the most compelling and enjoyable aspect of the game. While playing through puzzles was engaging, we would have loved to see additional freeform activities supported. How about building a bridge to support an ever-increasing cascade of animals?

With a dearth of quality downloadable titles, Wii owners may feel an occasional pang of now-gen console envy. Nintendo fans can eliminate that feeling by clearing 320 blocks and downloading World of Goo. It’s a brilliantly designed and expertly executed title that would complement any gamer’s library. 



PC owners can try out Tower of Goo, the basis for World, here.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

45 comments

  1. Another great review, deagle!

    I played the PC version last summer.

  2. Sounds and looks fun.

  3. Still not enough to make me hook my wii back up.

  4. those candy levels look dandy. THX for the 411 on this one.

  5. No ‘B’ button use?

    Reminds of that game that came out for the PS3 where you built bridges.

  6. $15 dollars? Woah, there Wiiware!!!

  7. Both you guys love everything. Confirmed.

  8. Nice looking graphics.

  9. very GOO-d review! lol

  10. Id pick up if it was $10 bucks, but $15 is a bit steep.

  11. Got PC version right now.

  12. TideGear (Adam Milecki)

    I just bought the PC version for $20. While I wish it was $15 like the Wii version, I’ve been quite pleased with the purchase so far. The level design and types of goo are managing to keep things fresh and the story is quite cute and mysterious. I’m still on the border of calling it “great” but I have a feeling if I keep playing it’ll push me over that line.

  13. Thanks for the demo link.

  14. Adamn, why arent you loving the game like DE?

  15. Would it be too hard for a eight year old?

  16. Saw this on gonintendo.com. Gotta say, excellent review.

  17. Excellent review. you guys write very well.

    DE, did you complete the game?

  18. Saw this on N4G.com, wiibite.com, and gonintendo!

    Good coverage. What’s your tallest building in Corporation?

  19. I love the look of the game.

  20. Man, I hate Wii storage. I had to delete 3 VC game to make space for Goo.

  21. Do you avenge, ads? If so, you’re awesome!

  22. Actually, Tidegear vehemently refuses to review adventure games. Most licensed games, I won’t bother with.

    We’re both picky about what we review. You want find any ‘Imagine: Babysitter’ reviews here, or pet simulations. So, yes our reviews scores may skew slightly higher that the poor folk at 1up who review every game that’s thrown at them.

  23. This title seems to be getting universal praise! You’re the only review I read that mentioned any kind of weakness.

  24. On the 2D Boy website (http://2dboy.com/) a four year old completed the first chapter. That may be a bit extraordinary, as I had a bit of trouble!

  25. Best looking wiiware game so far!

  26. That was a great review. I don’t have a wii, but it made me want to play the game.

  27. I’m more of a lurker, but I gotta give this site credit. They highlight the games real gamers are interested in, and completely skip the Barbie Horse Adventure crap.

    Look at their selection of DS games, they just review the cream of the crop, not the crap.

  28. Played that damn demo for 45 minutes and wasted my whole lunch. thanks 🙁

  29. Downloaded and while I like the game, I’m not loving it. Maybe it gets better.

  30. Great review, with some really great ideas for the game.

  31. Wow, I need to get a Wiipoints card pronto, then!

  32. I heard the PC version has no DRM, hats off to them, and please people, don’t pirate!

  33. I really like the french style music in the demo. Stylish.

  34. Sounds like a perfect game for me.

  35. Mmm, junior mints. Hell, I might save $14.00 and get a box of those with some toothpicks.

    Then I’ll eat my tower!

  36. Man, I wish Nintendo had sales.

  37. I’m always glad to hear when something’s done right in the Nintendo realm.

  38. The review was most Excellente!

  39. This is the first time I’ve heard of this game.

  40. TideGear (Adam Milecki)

    That’s actually the little game made a few years ago that World of Goo is based on. This… http://2dboy.com/2008/10/15/demo-of-world-of-goo-available/ …is the World of Goo demo.

  41. TideGear (Adam Milecki)

    Yes! Thank you, Wes! That’s the point.

    …Tex clearly lives under a bridge.

  42. Nintendo must do something about the space limit. Its stopping me from d/ling games I want.

  43. Any difference between the PC and Wii version?

  44. I bought this game using the last of my girlfriend wiipoints (that she was saving for Mario Golf), and now I’m in a World of Poo!

  45. Downloaded today, and I’ve been playing non-stop.