To throw it, you point an aiming reticle with the right stick, and release the trigger to throw. To pick up something, you pull the right trigger and hold it in place. My biggest issue with the control scheme is the way in which you must throw items. There’s also some mild puzzle solving, usually involving placing certain items on key areas or buttons. You and your co-op partner work your way through Zelda-esque rooms using melee attacks and throwing objects at enemies. Imagine that scenario as a twin-stick dungeon-crawler instead, and you’ll have an understanding of the basic mechanics of Super Cane Magic Zero. If you’ve played Paper Mario, you’re probably familiar with how our favorite 2D plumber moves around in a 3D play space. Many will find this kind of storytelling endearing, but I found it completely distracting. I’m not one to trash another person’s art, but I couldn’t help but think that the writers asked their elementary-aged children for story ideas and patched it all together. It’s 100% clear that’s what they were going for. But credit to the writers who apparently went full-throttle when it comes to completely random plot elements. None of the story in Super Cane Magic Zero makes a lick of sense. If any of that makes you scratch your head, welcome to my world. But first, they must find the six witches and wizards of the Academy of Poptarts. The planetoid of WOTF is in turmoil since magic went wild by the powers of the magic dog AAAH! Unlikely heroes fell from the sky and are guided by a giant talking strawberry cake to save the world. There’s definitely an audience for this type of game I just don’t think I’m part of that audience. Its absurd random nature of storytelling was definitely a turnoff, but the game as a whole isn’t without its merit. While I was intrigued by the idea of a 4-player cooperative hack ‘n slash experience, I walked away feeling way more confused than satisfied.
Have you ever walked into a room where everyone is laughing at an inside joke that you don’t understand? It makes you feel a bit left out, right? That pretty much sums up my feelings of Super Cane Magic Zero from Sio and Studio Evil.