The Wii seems like a natural fit for role-playing games that want to take the art of combat to the next level. After all, there is a wireless motion-sensitive controller that can be used rather creatively – if the development team chooses to do so.

Square Enix did choose to do so, using the Wii-mote to detail angles of sword hacks and thrusts or to target areas to block with the shield. The game is DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors. While this can be viewed as a basic RPG in many regards, the title is important in that it clearly sets the stage for what should become an innovative genre in terms of gameplay mechanics.

SWORDS is a simple little game, and take the word “simple” literally. The story is clichéd and basic and if you have played any game before, you should be able to figure out the way the story arc plays out in the first 10-15 minutes. Likewise the combat is basic. If a ranged attack comes in, you move your shield to the spot indicated on the screen to intercept it. That requires holding down the B button. The Wii-mote is used to determine the type of sword movement (move it horizontally, vertically or diagonally, or thrust it forward) and can be used to look around.

But while the sword functionality is decent, to some extent, the game’s movement bogs down. The game only uses the Wii-mote, not the nunchuck attachment, and therefore the movement is set by the D-pad. This feels a bit clunky. Want more clunkiness? Ok – you can set a focal point for your attacks by targeting with the A button (all attacks will swipe through that point), but when you fill up the master stroke meter (the big attack), you have to press the No. 2 button, which is not exactly easy to reach … or wouldn’t be if the game were challenging. Fortunately (or not), this is an easy game and players should be able to breathe and hit the appropriate buttons without feeling like they are overwhelmed and forced to fumble with the controls.

The game itself centers on a young man (you get to name him), who has come of age and starts down the path to adulthood with the coming-of-age quest known as the Walk of the Worthy. But things seem rather amiss as the game opens. The queen is mysteriously not receiving any visitors, even her own son. The story unravels from there, but – as stated – this is very simplistic in design. There is only one town in the world, with only one weapons shop, armor shop and save point. The town is the hub and you will adventure to the surrounding territories. You can move back to town at any time to heal or repair and then begin the journey all over again. Should you teleport back, expect the walk back to whatever location you were at – you can’t teleport back.

In typical Asian RPG fashion, as you journey down a path, you will encounter unseen monsters. You get to a point on the journey and the action freezes and then the monsters pop into the picture. Winning means looting and gaining experience points to level. Losing means dropping half the coins you have found. As you level, you will unlock new abilities and even be able to add companions to your journey. They, too, will level up and provide additional firepower on the journey though you can also detail exactly what you wish them to do (like take on a healing role).

The game does have some mini-games (Dart Attack and Slime Crisis) in play, as well as a mission rating system. Both give the game more of an arcade feel, which essentially this is. You can also upgrade weapons (called tempering), but do not expect to be able to test out anything other than a sword. That is the only weapon available, and while you can upgrade and improve it, there is a certain amount of tedium that settles in as you continuously hack and slash your way through the 8-hour (or so) game.

The sound of the game is solid, but the graphics are very nicely handled – sporting some of the anime-style characters that are the trademark of Square Enix with lush environments.

The controls work well enough but could have benefited from using the nunchuck for movement.

SWORDS is the type of game that should have broad appeal. Children and older players will be able to figure it out without much problem, making this an accessible experience that can serve as an entry point for first-time RPG players. Don’t expect anything too grand and you won’t be disappointed. Expect a game that has a smooth pace, nothing too rushed, and is not overly complex and you should enjoy this adventure.

Gameplay: 7.3
The game is simple enough that young and old can understand and enjoy the experience. The target lock is not always needed, but when the swing motions seem a bit off (which they do seem like, on occasion), locking a focal point can help.

Graphics: 8.0
The environments are lush and the sword controls work well in terms of what you do is what you see. The movement and fixed camera is a little limiting, though.

Sound: 7.0
Somewhat predictable, but nonetheless solid.

Difficulty: Easy

Concept: 7.5
The game has been streamlined to RPG essentials, making it very accessible. This is a solid foundation for Dragon Quest tales to utilize the Wii’s abilities and move forward into grander arenas.

Overall: 7.3
A relatively short game, SWORDS is imminently accessible by gamers of all ages. It looks good, is easy to play and understand and provides entertainment in a relaxed vein. If you are a hardcore RPGer, the game’s gentle pacing may not be your cup of hack ‘n slash. But for players who have never experienced an RPG before, or are looking for other ways to utilize the functionality of the Wii-mote’s motion capabilities, this might be a nice little treat.