How is Wario Land 3 compared to the other games?

Amiibro

Amiibro

Ph.D Gamer
Coins
3,661
I was wondering how WL 3 compared to the rest of the games in the series, and what you all liked and didn't like about it. Like a kind of short review.

I'm asking because I want to try more Wario Land games, but also want to get an idea of how it sizes up with the rest. (I've only played WL 4 before.)

So I'm asking you Wario experts, how is Wario Land 3?
 
It's fun, though it's very different from the fourth game simply due to its Metroidvania style gameplay.

Because of this, it's kind of hard to tell whether you'll like it or not before playing it. Do you prefer linear levels or exploration? Do you like having a health bar or want Wario to be utterly invincible? Did you play Wario Land II? What did you think of that (since it's basically that game up to eleven)?
 
  • Useful
Reactions: 607
A Metroidvania style Wario sounds like fun. I knew Land 4 was different from the rest but I didn't know quite how.

As for linear and exploration, it kind of doesn't matter to me, as long as it's fun. An invincible Wario sounds better to me than the health bar in Land 4, which felt like a bit of a nuisence. And I haven't played Wario Land II but I'm not opposed to it.
 
It's really a matter of taste, I have seen people who consider it the best in the series, which I personally agree with, but I have also seen people that didn't like it at all.

As already mentioned it's very Metroidvaniaesque in design, albeit more compact due to the level structure, it is the most exploration and puzzle heavy game in the series, with levels being entirely build around those two factors, so if you liked those elements in Land 4 then rejoice, Land 3 is pretty much the king in that regard.

With that said the game might seem a bit intimidating at first, since it doesn't follow the usual ''beat level and head straight to the next one'' structure, but everything being split up in levels and the temple area always telling you were to go if you get lost always make sure that the path of pregression is very clear to the player, so it's all actually pretty simple once you realize that.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 607
I decided to get it late last night, and I do enjoy it, (maybe even more than Wario Land 4). I like the puzzles I've come across, but the mini game blocks feel a bit shoehorned in.

It was a bit intimidating, because of the fact you have to revisit the levels once you gain the ability to do something, or just alter it in some way.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 607
The mini games (assuming you mean golf) are definitely another thing people have mixed opinions on. Some like it, some think they're really nonsensical inclusions in the game and don't fit the gameplay style much.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 607
Yeah, the golf mini game does seem pretty decisive. My main beef with it, was that there was zero explanation on the controls. I wasted about 50 coins, until I bit the bullet and looked up how to play it, and even then the timing took some getting used to.

But once you get used to it, it is pretty fun.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 607
Amiibro said:
Yeah, the golf mini game does seem pretty decisive. My main beef with it, was that there was zero explanation on the controls. I wasted about 50 coins, until I bit the bullet and looked up how to play it, and even then the timing took some getting used to.

But once you get used to it, it is pretty fun.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I remember being stuck at that when I first played it as a kid but back then I had no internet to look it up. :/ It's odd too because Wario's controls have their own dedicated demo screen and the minigames in WL2 all had "help" options that would explain how to play them.
But of course, now that I know how to play it I'm having a lot of fun with it. ^^
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 607
ShyGuyXXL said:
Yeah, I remember being stuck at that when I first played it as a kid but back then I had no internet to look it up. :/ It's odd too because Wario's controls have their own dedicated demo screen and the minigames in WL2 all had "help" options that would explain how to play them.
But of course, now that I know how to play it I'm having a lot of fun with it. ^^
Click to expand...
Was there any mini game like golf in Wario Land 2? If so, maybe they expected players to remember how to play from the previous game? That's still not very good reasoning for not having a explanation option tho.
 
Amiibro said:
Was there any mini game like golf in Wario Land 2? If so, maybe they expected players to remember how to play from the previous game? That's still not very good reasoning for not having a explanation option tho.
Click to expand...
No, the two minigames in WL2 (not counting flagman) were a number matching minigame, where you had to deduce what number is on screen, based on tiles that are being revealed one after the other and a picture matching game where you have to spot a specific picture among 8 different ones that are revealed for a short time.
Nothing golf related. Besides, if they expected you to know the controls from the last game then there would be no demo mode for the basic controls. Maybe they just thought you would figure it out on your own.
The controls ARE basically the standard golf videogame controls, but if you've never played a golf videogame before then you wouldn't know.
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
Reactions: 607
ShyGuyXXL said:
No, the two minigames in WL2 (not counting flagman) were a number matching minigame, where you had to deduce what number is not screen, based on tiles that are being revealed one after the other and a picture matching game where you have to spot a specific picture among 8 different ones that are revealed for a short time.
Nothing golf related. Besides, if they expected you to know the controls from the last game then there would be no demo mode for the basic controls. Maybe they just thought you would figure it out on your own.
The controls ARE basically the standard golf videogame controls, but if you've never played a golf videogame before then you wouldn't know.
Click to expand...
I thought the demo mode was mainly there to show the player what new move they gained by beating the level.
But then again, why would it show you how to do the moves you have unlocked from the beginning.
They could've made it better by only letting the second arrow in between the parts that actually count for launching the thing.
 
CM30 said:
The mini games (assuming you mean golf) are definitely another thing people have mixed opinions on. Some like it, some think they're really nonsensical inclusions in the game and don't fit the gameplay style much.
Click to expand...
What bothers me about the golf games is the lack of story context for them.
Why does the music box world have minigame walls that only open if you win a golf game?

Anyway I love Wario Land 3, and depending on my mood it's sometimes my favorite Wario game(I love them all). I think that I like it a little more than Wario Land 2. Don't get me wrong WL2 is a great game as well I just think that it got a little lazy in level design in some places(looking at you "Defeat the Giant Spear Men" levels).
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 607
Wario Land 3 is my personal favorite and, in my opinion, the peak of the series. It took all of the ideas and innovations of Wario Land II and polished, expanded and perfect them, not to mention added a bunch of new ones, such as the huge, nonlinear world to explore and the day/night cycle. My single gripe with the game is the lack of Capt. Syrup. But the game is so damn good that's forgivable.

:shantdance4:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 607
ShyGuyXXL said:
Only an experienced golf veteran may wield such legendary treasures as.... a cloud in a jar...or... a crayon...
Click to expand...
I've been thinking about the treasures in Wario Land 3, and a thought crossed my mind.
How much money would the Music Box World's treasures be worth in the real world? Most of the treasures aren't really special by real world standards. The first treasure in the game is an ax that Wario uses to cut down a tree. Ax's aren't really special.
And the treasures that are special seem like they are only designed to be used one time.
 
Vampfox said:
How much money would the Music Box World's treasures be worth in the real world? Most of the treasures aren't really special by real world standards. The first treasure in the game is an ax that Wario uses to cut down a tree. Ax's aren't really special.
Click to expand...
TREASURE! TREASURE! TREASURE!
MONEY! MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!
latest

This artifact is worth... $15,99 at your local gardening supply store!
 
Wario Land 3 is pretty interesting as a Metroid/Wario hybrid, but unfortunately the structure of the game (dense hub words which must be repeated with some slight variations) leads to a lot of filler. I much prefer the refined gameplay pulp of Wario Land 4. Still, if you're enough of a Wario fan to be posting around here, you should certainly check it out. It's probably my second least favorite in the series.
 
Daniel Primed said:
Wario Land 3 is pretty interesting as a Metroid/Wario hybrid, but unfortunately the structure of the game (dense hub words which must be repeated with some slight variations) leads to a lot of filler. I much prefer the refined gameplay pulp of Wario Land 4. Still, if you're enough of a Wario fan to be posting around here, you should certainly check it out. It's probably my second least favorite in the series.
Click to expand...

What's your least favourite?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top