Games based on movies suck, plain and simple. They are often so dumbed down or such a terrible interpretation of a cinematic experience that they make gamers cry bitter bitter tears of hatred. The greatest thing about X-Men Origins: Wolverine is not that it is a good game, but rather that it bucks the trend, it bucks it right in the face with titanium claws while simultaneously lifting it’s head into the furiously rotating blades of a military chopper.
The level of violence in the game (which admittedly fits with the theme of a mutant with razor-sharp claws) is far more prolific than the movie that shares the same name and instead of being a typical action/adventure game it is a brawler that hints at its developers (Raven Software) being inspired by games synonymous with the genre. The final result is something very playable, ultimately flawed, but enjoyable.
The story follows in line with the movie but includes further story elements that were included by Raven. The story jumps back and forth between present day and the past, what is revealed is the sordid history of many peoples favourite X-Man. There is slight feeling of back and forth during this process, and while it does get a little overplayed at the half way point, there is some redemption offered in the variety of weapons that the change in time and location offers.
Wolverine doesn’t seem like the type of guy you want to screw with but if your are a fan of the X-Men universe you’ll already know what went down at Alkali Lake. The fact that Sabretooth/Victor Creed has become his brother in this addition to the universe is a little misguided in my opinion, I think just being enemies is more than enough reason to want someone dead, perhaps being related just makes the thirst for blood more intense. A good number of characters make an appearance, Gambit and Mystique being the two most prominent with one of my favourites also appearing towards the end (it starts with S and rhymes with Mentinals).
For the most part the controls are simple; fast attack, strong attack, grab/throw., then with the triggers block dodge and lunge controls. The attack combinations can be strung together to form multiple attacks, there lunge combined with the throw is especially effective if there is a forklift nearby. The bounces that occur when a powerful attack is landed allow further extension. There are quick kill options against a single enemy provided they aren’t too strong, the brutality of which does wear off after a dozen or so blood splattering executions. The fluidity of killing comes easier with more time and goes from taking on two or three low level guys right up to battling more than a dozen mid level enemies.
The graphics of the rendered cut scenes are smooth and awesome, unfortunately this doesn’t translate completely into the game. When the first cutscene ended I did a double-take making sure something hadn’t happened to the TV or console, the difference is a stark comparison. While not terrible the downgrade from the cutscene made it all the more noticeable that there were a few jaggies on the characters. There is a lot of clipping which I forgave given the pace of the action, there were also a few moments of “what the hell is that guy standing on?” and the time I fell through the ground into a never ending abyss.
Wolverines gore contents deserves another mention, there are decapitations, dismemberments impalements, and disembowellings. I am very surprised that this received a rating in Australia while games such as Soldier of Fortune did not. Impaling people on spikes/forklifts and other such protruding articles become the final resting place of many enemies. The thing about this level of violence is that, for the most part, it fits with the theme and story completely, a game with less blood would have felt diluted. Some of the aggression shown was probably added with some artistic license but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. Sadist much?
There is a fine balance between perfecting the art of killing and becoming too long and boring, Wolverine treads this line. While I think it crossed it ever so slightly for a few moments the number of enemies introduced along with the different puzzles and environments compensates for this.
Closing Comments
Without thinking about it too much this is the best movie based game I have played in a long long time, perhaps ever. For fans of The Incredible X-Men the combination of solid gameplay and the effective use of the killing skills of one of the universes most popular characters. Give it a rent at least, but don’t be put off by the first hour which does seem a little simple, and if you can get past the mashing sequence I struggled with and the occasional slow down you’re in for a gruesome and fun filled ride.
I played the demo for ps3, its pretty good for a movie to game game