Avoider (Wii U) Review

Avoider has one objective: avoid enemy ships and achieve a high score. Said high score can then be posted onto Miiverse for the sake of promoting more play. There's an arcade-y feel to the high score aspect, but there's really not too much substance to it. The GamePad's touch screen is used to move the ships around for the sake of avoiding, and it's weirdly not that fluid. Dodging feels rough and the touch screen's necessity is questionable given the lack of smooth movement. There's nothing the GamePad offers that a control scheme could have optimised.

It's almost Atari-esque in nature, and it's very possible that RCMADIAX, the developer, sought to capture that vintage atmosphere, but the package lacks any real or lasting substance. The first minute plays just like the last.

Hypothetically speaking, a game staying static from start to finish isn't necessarily a bad thing. Developers can take advantage of a single screen to pack in as much challenge as possible while also allowing for growth. Unfortunately, Avoider lacks the polish and design to make the most out of its simple premise. There are no strategies to develop or new techniques to discover and learn, there's just a mindless desire to avoid for a few minutes before heading back to the eShop to find a way to request a refund.

Ultimately, it's narrow minded design that keeps Avoider from doing just about anything interesting with its concept. An homage is not inherently bad, and there are plenty of great games based around showing appreciation of classics, but they also try something new and add their own new spin. RCMADIAX doesn't try hard or add anything at all, instead opting for a simple dodging mini-game that's been done countless times before in arcades, on Atari systems, and even full fleshed out games. Boring and lacking any real incentive to keep playing, Avoider is just another spot on the Wii U's stain of mediocre digital titles.