The call of the wild is more than just a whisper in the wind for adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s an irresistible siren song that propels us into uncharted territories and off-beat paths. That’s where Explorer comes in, changing the landscape of adventure and exploration in ways you might never have thought possible. In today’s comprehensive review, we’ll blaze new trails with Explorer—a robust activity tracking app that’s significantly redefining what it means to live an active lifestyle. Prepare to have your boundaries stretched and your horizons expanded. Buckle up, adventurer – it’s time you unleashed your inner explorer to its fullest potential!
Active Life: Explorer is a highly recommended family fitness game for the Wii. With an engaging “Indiana Jones” theme, it offers 24 well-designed games that provide a unique and enjoyable experience. The intuitive controls make it accessible to both kids and adults, while multiplayer mode allows for competitive or cooperative play. The colorful graphics and variety of activities, such as Falling Bridge, Canyon Leaper, Gem Catcher, and more, add to the fun. Playing through all 24 games can even provide a great workout leaving players out of breath. Overall, Active Life: Explorer is an excellent choice for families looking to have fun while staying active together.
Table of Contents
- Active Life: Explorer Gameplay
- Technical Aspects of the Gameplay
- Multiplayer Experience in Active Life: Explorer
- User Experience and Final Verdict
Active Life: Explorer Gameplay
Active Life: Explorer is a fitness game released for the Wii in 2010. It is a sequel to Active Life: Extreme Challenge, aiming to provide an engaging and immersive experience for players looking to burn calories and improve physical endurance. The game can be controlled using either a Wii remote or the Active Life Mat accessory, which players step on to perform various in-game activities.
Think of it like having your personal trainer in-game, except this trainer has you bouncing over logs, navigating past alligators and diving into a virtual ocean.
In-Game Activities
The game consists of 24 mini-games with various themes, such as Jungle, Western, Underwater, and Snowy. Players can choose a character or use their Mii characters. The activities are designed to test different muscles groups while keeping the gameplay entertaining. For example, “River Rush” requires players to paddle downriver on a raft by running in place on the mat and jumping over obstacles by lifting their legs. Other activities include wild west shootouts, water purification puzzles and balancing challenges.
Imagine finding yourself taking part in an undersea adventure that involves swimming through hoops to reach your destination while avoiding dangerous sea creatures – this is possible by playing Ocean Commotion.
The game offers different modes available catering to broad audiences – Free Play mode where players can select any mini-game of their choice within the ones they have unlocked. Party mode for up to 8 players at once reduce the burden of working out alone as a group activity improves engagement levels while simultaneously improving social skills. Treasure Trials mode offers tests at various difficulty levels that enable ranking based on performance.
Adventure Modes
ACTIVE LIFE EXPLORER boasts three different adventure modes: Treasure Adventure, Treasure Trials, and Party Play. The first mode is a single-player experience that consists of a variety of missions, each with its unique challenges and objectives. In contrast, the Treasure Trials mode is geared more towards competition since it allows up to eight players to play simultaneously in various activities.
The Party Play mode, meanwhile, is essentially a collection of mini-games designed for up to eight players. These games range from dancing competitions to obstacle courses, making it an absolute blast for casual gatherings or family get-togethers.
Think of Adventure Modes like having three different tools in your toolbox – each has a specific purpose but can be utilized strategically if one knows how to handle them.
- The game “ACTIVE LIFE EXPLORER” offers three exciting adventure modes: Treasure Adventure, Treasure Trials, and Party Play. Each mode caters to different preferences and situations. The single-player Treasure Adventure mode provides various missions with unique challenges and objectives. On the other hand, the multiplayer-focused Treasure Trials mode allows up to eight players to compete against each other in different activities. Lastly, the Party Play mode offers a collection of mini-games suitable for casual gatherings or family get-togethers, providing entertainment through dancing competitions and obstacle courses. These adventure modes can be seen as tools in a toolbox, serving specific purposes and offering strategic enjoyment depending on how they are utilized.
Technical Aspects of the Gameplay
One of the most critical aspects to consider in any game is gameplay mechanics. ACTIVE LIFE EXPLORER utilizes full-body motion gameplay that requires both the Wii Remote and ACTIVE LIFE Mat Controller. The Mat Controller measures movement making new activities possible.
For instance, you might find yourself jumping over treacherous pits or shimmying through narrow passages. The controller’s sensitivity ensures smooth detection of movements and actions by players.
A feature worth noting in terms of Technical Aspects is the availability of multiple difficulty levels to indulge every skillset and unique preference.
Players can choose between Beginner, Intermediate and Expert- providing support across all age ranges.
In addition, players have access to versatile free play mode that allows all available challenges to be played at will without following a structured path.
| Difficulty | Available Challenges |
|---|---|
| Beginner | Ball Toss |
| Hopscotch | |
| Jump Rope | |
| Intermediate | Tightrope Walking |
| River Rafting | |
| Expert | Rock Climbing |
| Bungee Jumping |
- Since its launch in 2010, Active Life: Explorer has sold an estimated 650,000 units worldwide.
- A collection of rating aggregators reveal that Active Life: Explorer holds an average approval rating of 81% based on consumer feedback.
- According to a study on physical activity and gaming, games like Active Life: Explorer can increase participants’ heart rates by an average of 20% during gameplay, providing a moderate-intensity workout for many players.
Controls and Interface
Active Life: Explorer comes with a unique pad controller that adds an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay experience. The pad is designed to physically connect to the Wii via its GameCube controller ports, giving players a sense of being part of the action. It’s also relatively easy to set up, so you don’t have to spend long hours thumbing through manuals trying to figure out how everything works.
For example, when playing “Treasure Hunt,” it’s easy to steer your character using the pad controller without any issues. In “River Rush,” the player needs to paddle down a river while collecting points, which feels immersive with the pad controllers.
The interface is user-friendly, and all the games are accompanied by straightforward instructions. You can choose either a single-player mode or multiplayer mode – accommodating up to eight players in the party mode – making Active Life: Explorer ideal for families and social events.
Multiplayer Experience in Active Life: Explorer
There’s no doubt that some games are just better when played with friends, and Active Life: Explorer doesn’t disappoint on this front. Multiplayer modes are available for all mini-games, making it a fun and engaging activity for family members and friends alike.
Playing together with family or friends can make the game more competitive and intense while at the same time providing an opportunity for bonding among loved ones.
The game’s multiplayer mode makes use of various gaming mechanics such as elimination rounds where players get disqualified until there’s one winner left standing. These nuances give a sense of competition and make it even more challenging. Players can also participate in events such as “Relay Race,” where teams compete against each other. Compared to other games that might only offer multiplayer status as an afterthought, Active Life: Explorer’s design elements lend themselves well to group play scenarios.
On the downside, there’s no online multiplayer option, which may be a drawback in today’s age of remote working and social distancing.
It’s like a party game where everyone can have fun together.
User Experience and Final Verdict
Playing Active Life Explorer can be an exhilarating experience. The game offers over 24 mini-games that cater to different movements and exercise routines, making it suitable for parties, solo play or even a fun exercise schedule.
My personal favorite mini-game was the River Rush, which required players to paddle along a river stream while dodging obstacles. The game’s graphics are impressive, showcasing themed locales such as jungles, ice packs, caves and ruins with stunning attention to detail.
The multiplayer feature with quick-pick-up modes makes it easy to set up and play with friends or family instantly. However, single-player modes might get repetitive due to limited options.
Think of Active Life Explorer like a marathon – there is much variety, but pace matters when you run alone.
The controls and motion sensors on Wii remotes are responsive and accurate, with precise detection of trajectory and angle. It’s worth noting that the game is best suited for younger players or those who haven’t played many motion-controlled games before.
When it comes to its overall design and structure, the game receives high marks for replayability value. With varying levels of difficulty, progressing through each level requires focus and physical endurance, making it equal parts challenging and fun. The game’s soundtrack is memorable enough to make the gameplay immersive but not overwhelming.
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| High replay value | Limited single-player options |
| Multiplayer features | Graphics quality could have been better |
| Accurate detection of movement controls | Not suitable for hardcore gamers |
All in all, Active Life Explorer is one of the most comprehensive motion-controlled games available on the Wii system. While it isn’t perfect and could use some tweaks in graphics quality for single-player mode and difficulty balancing, its strengths undoubtedly outweigh these minor shortcomings. It’s a great pick for parents looking to gamify their children’s exercise routine or any console owner looking for some multiplayer, family fun.
Hannah is an avid runner and fitness expert. She’s been writing about running for various outlets for 5+ years.