Thankfully, the Wii-mote waggling has been kept to a minimum outside of the wave-upon wave Gladiator mode (the only new feature outside of the main character’s tragic redesign). Besides some overall clumsiness (and the stupid Z to jump decision), the controls are fine, and the combat itself is satisfying, once you get used to the slower pace. Boss battles in particular are fun, as you’ll face up against Titans and other massive mythological creatures.

Sadly, the aforementioned Gladiator Mode really isn’t worth its weight in bronze armor. Instead of exploring the varied environments (the main campaign’s greatest strength), you’re instead just battling waves of bland enemies in a boring setting. Worst yet, you’re doing it by flailing the Wii-mote around in the carpal-tunnel-inducing version of button mashing. Most gamers will mess with the mode for a few minutes and then go back to the infinitely more interesting main game.

The audiovisual presentation is absolutely fantastic... for 2002. Today, the graphics look muddy and cluttered, though the actual level designs and art direction still hold up. The music is of the cinematic, booming, orchestral variety, and it’s quite good, though it loops far more often than it should.

I can’t go any further without discussing the sheer insanity of the story and the cutscenes. Fans of unintentional humor will get a he kick out of the perpetually-musical princess Harmonia (what a creative name...), the fact that Cleopatra is somehow involved with the Titans, and the sheer, incalculable stupidity of recasting Rygar as an anime pretty boy. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at that particular production meeting. Here’s my dramatic recreation: Executive 1: “Ok, so how do we make this old game new and fresh again?” Executive 2: “Perhaps a graphical overhaul?” Executive 1: “No, no, that’s too expensive.” Over-caffeinated junior executive: “I know! We’ll make him like Tidus from Final Fantasy X. But more, like, Yu-Gi-Oh with the haircut! And His hair should be White!” Executive 1 “Johnson, my boy, you’re a genius!”

Storyline aside, and jokes about weird haircuts notwithstanding, Rygar is nothing more or less than a solid, hopelessly outdated experience. The game cannot hope to compete with modern action titles, but perhaps it isn’t trying to, considering the platform. Rygar may be worth a look for action-starved Wii owners, especially folks who haven’t played Ninja Gaiden or any of Kratos’ adventures. It may also serve as a good “stepping stone” game for non-traditional gamers wanting to branch out beyond Wii Play on their console, as it’s quite straightforward, and not terribly difficult.

It’s certainly not for fans of the PS2 title, as there’s absolutely nothing new of note (aside from the tacked on Gladiator Mode and atrocious character design), so you’re better off firing up the old PS2 if you have a craving for some Gladiatorial action. Better yet, pop in God of War.

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