I didn't spend a lot of time with Red Steel at last week's Wii event. I had played with it quite a bit at E3 and figured I didn't need even more time with the game. But what time I did spend with the shooter reaffirmed my feelings that the controls need some work.

It just feels like the controls are a little too loose for a shooter. I didn't feel like the reticule was aiming where I was pointing exactly, or when I was pointing there.

Even worse, the game would just lose my controller at times. Apparently what would happened was that my pointer would slip out of the sensor's borders for a second, making the screen kind of slip around while I tried to get it to start recognizing my remote again.

It was annoying, and shouldn't happen at all, let alone a few times in five or so minutes of play. I suspect this has something to do with a sensitivity setting that can still be tweaked. I noticed Metroid Corruption, which could run into the same problem, seemed to re-find the remote very quickly when it happened.

I didn't leave myself enough time to get far enough into the new demo to test out the improved sword play, but I did get to check out one of the new features: Zoom. By holding in a button and extending your arm toward the screen, the image would magnify, sort of like a full-screen zoom. Kinda cool.

I'm still on the line about Red Steel. It just seems to have to many control issues to make it worth my while to buy. Hopefully that will change by launch, because shooters definitely seem to work on the Wii.

Hit the jump for the updated Red Steel fact sheet. Brian Crecente

Red Steel

Product Description
Red Steel is an exclusive Wii launch title that takes full advantage of the console's innovative controller and puts players directly into the action-packed first-person experience with the weapon in their hand - literally.

An engaging storyline unfolds as you learn that your fianc e has been kidnapped and her father - a Japanese mafia kingpin - murdered by a rival gang. The only way to save your loved one and defend your honor is to journey from Los Angeles to Japan and confront the Tokyo underworld.

By learning the ancient art of Japanese fighting with your katana and the focused precision of modern firearms, you will progress and adapt yourself to this foreign environment, where skills alone may not guarantee you victory.

Key Features

Exclusively for Nintendo's new-gen system Wii
Red Steel is the only original first-person action game built from the ground up for the Wii.

The Weapon Is in Your Hand
Take full advantage of the revolutionary Wii controller, and control the action like never before. You'll replicate sword-fighting movements and eliminate enemies quickly by directly targeting and shooting them.

Master the Deadly Steel
Execute deadly combo moves using multiple swords or choose from a variety of firearms for longer-range attacks.

Focus Is Key
Learn to harness your mental power to unleash powerful attacks in dire situations, and use the "focus system" to freeze time and effectively target several enemies at once.

Become a Modern Samurai
Learn the art of Japanese fighting, and then use these skills to take out your enemies or gain their respect and loyalty by sparing them.

Multiplayer Modes
Challenge friends with various split-screen multiplayer modes to see who the real master is.

Product Specifications:
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Ship Date: Holiday 2006
Category: First-Person Action
Rating: Rating Pending (T anticipated)
Website: www.redsteelgame.com

2006 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Red Steel, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo.

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