PDC World Championship Darts Review [Wii]

13 Jul 2009 at 10:39:26 by Andy Alderson
Systems used to review this title: (WII)

Back in the Middle Ages bored soldiers would often while away the time by hurling arrows on the upturned side of a barrel. Like life in those early days, the rules were simple: the arrows hurled closest to the cork bung would be the winner. Over time this game evolved into the national hobby we now call darts. And as the game has evolved the rules have become slightly more complicated but the rewards greater. Now, if you win, your mates won't throw arrows at your behind and steal your horse.  Rather a pretty girl pecks you on the cheek and gives you a bag stuffed full of freshly ironed  £10 notes. Now that's what I call progress.

With PDC World Championship Darts 2009, the Wii offers what is arguably the most faithful simulation of a game of arrows to date.

Developed by Rebellion Studios (those of Aliens Vs Predator fame), PDC World Championship Darts 2009 features no less than eighteen professionals from the Professional Darts Corporation including heavyweights Phil Taylor , Mark Dudbridge and my all time hero, Raymond van Barneveld. And, with a healthy nod towards the progress of the times, Rebellion now allows players to create a female character for the first time ever in a darts game. 

The game also introduces new elements to virtual darts by allowing players to select darts of different weights to improve their aim. It's a small concession but it's one that could make the vital difference between winning and losing a game.

PDC features all of the options that have become pretty much a staple diet of a robust sports title: a stand alone exhibition mode where you take your chances against a computer opponent, a  career mode which challenges you to move up the rankings and compete against real-life pros in real-world tournament locations and a multiplayer mode for up to 8 players and three levels of difficulty catering for newbies and hard core darts fans.
 Rebellion have also done a sterling job with its in-game presentation. The television style format coupled with replays and alternate camera angles manages to give you the feeling that you are watching a real darts game on the TV as well as taking part.

Mechanically, Rebellion have more or less nailed the dynamics of a good darts game squarely on the head. In order to throw the dart players must hold the Wiimote pretty much as you would a real-life dart while pressing down the A button and releasing it as you simulate a throwing gesture. Note: this is probably one of the few Wii games where it's absolutely essential to wear your wrist strap as, when you release the dart, a minor miscalculation could end up with you putting your Wiimote through your telly.

The game also allows you to calibrate your Wiimote in order to fine tune its responsiveness. It took us a while to get used to this, but after a few attempts aiming and throwing the virtual dart - despite its bulky size - became almost second nature.   The game, however, does have a few short-comings. The audio commentary presented by the voice of darts himself, Sid Waddell, does become repetitive and slightly disjointed very quickly. For a man who characteristically has funnier lines then National Rail, Sid's script seems severely limited and, like us, you may find yourself reaching for the volume off switch after a couple of hours of play.   Graphically, PDC 2009 is a few notches above average but definitely no beauty queen.  The professional players are recognisable but seem eerily impassive and wooden. After winning a game there is very little emotion that reflects  what would otherwise be a thrilling and nerve wracking moment.

It's also worth pointing out that, perhaps due to restricted budgets, the players seem to have the same entry animations and definitely the same theme tunes as they enter a game. The audience is also particularly wooden and highly reminiscent of the early FIFA and Pro Evo games.

Gameplay-wise, PDC World Championship Darts varies in extremes. The lower ranked players are, quite frankly, rubbish while the top-ranked professionals can often appear to be virtually unbeatable.  This may wrankle some gamers determined to claw their way through the championship levels. But, to be honest, the joy of this game is in its multiplayer mode where you can take on family and friends without leaving the comfort of your own home.

As far as darts games goes, PDC World Championship Darts 2009 is probably the most realistic simulation on the market to date. Far from perfect, it does offer both casual gamers and darts fans a solid virtue representation of a game of arrows. Recommended.

Comment