Yes, and I'm probably a guilty party! I stopped playing my PS1 because the load times were killing me! Loading at the front, loading at the end of asection, and even loading in the middle of sections. I finally gave up, and stated playing PS1 games again when Virtual GameStation came out as I could then use my PM 8500 with its 4x CD drive to load faster
Anyway, the WiiU load times are not as bad as that, and I'm tolerating it well (perhaps I've mellowed over the last 18 years?).
About an hour after I posted the review, I realized I hadn't said anything about the WiiU GamePad and its use in the game! Where was my brain?
Regarding the GamePad...I have to say, what I love about Nintendo is also what is a pain: their innovation is great, but it also means that in a profit-driven world, not everybody is going to design a game specifically for one console, or that they will port a game to the WiiU and integrate the GamePad as well as it could be used.
At first, it seemed like the GamePad use in Lego City was perhaps gimmicky...you could use it as a scanner and hold it up to scan things. The "GPS"/map (they call it SatNav in the manual) function is cool as well, although I tend to look up at the game screen, and I navigate by using landmarks (and the game gives you green Lego tracks to follow). As the game has progressed, however, it has been more integral to the game. You also use it as a communicator (a nice way to move the plot along, and get more exposition) and as a map. They also have a clever way of having the character whip it out when Chase receives a call, or at certain marker areas where there is stuff to scan. It makes you realize how normal it is now (in real life) to take out an iPad or iPhone or
(insert your favorite tablet or phone model here) -- you don't even bat an eye when Chase does it.
In any event, the GamePad adds flavor to the game, and as I get used to it, I will probably rely on it more. It seems obvious (now) to have some sort of functionality like this with video games. If corporations are willing to pay Apple or other manufacturers licensing fees (which I doubt), I could foresee future generations of consoles hooking up to regular phones and tablets for gameplay features, in addition to their regular controllers. The potential to adding to the gaming experience is there; it is an open question whether it would actually be used to enhance the experience (or for other nefarious means, such as selling you additional content). At least in Nintendo's case, with this game, I think they are on the right track, and making progress.
