X-Men Origns: Wolverine (PS3) Review

Posted by Gregory McDougal on 05.22.2009

Is He Really The Best There Is At What He Does?




Title: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Raven
Type: Action
Players: 1
Rated: M for Mature



If there is anything history has taught us it’s videogames based on movies tend to range from bad to sad to horrible. It seems that companies want to make a quick buck by releasing a game alongside the movie without taking the time and effort into making it at least decent. If a director takes time into making a great movie, developers should follow the same pattern. After seeing the awesome “Iron Man” movie, playing the game was nowhere near as enjoyable. However, there has been one exception to the rule…”Spider-Man 2.” Not only was the movie great, but also the game was just as fun, giving players a feel of what it is like to be the “wall-crawler.” Sure it had its share of problems (occasional glitch, repetitive missions), but the game showed that it was possible to make a game as good, if not better than its movie counterpart.


Now, with the theatrical release of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” you knew a game was bound to coincide. You know what, the game is not bad, considering it was released on the same day as the film. This is one of those games that is just pure mindless fun and there is nothing wrong with that. The game’s story is based on the movie obviously, but there are a few changes made specifically for the game. Oddly enough, those changes are what make the story here a hot mess. It starts in the future, then in Africa in the past (when the first part of the movie took place), fast-forwarding to the present, then back to the past and so forth and so forth. If that part seemed confusing to read, trust me when I say it’s worse to watch. But no one plays a Wolverine game for its gripping tale, you want to kill as many people as you can (something that should have happened in the movie).



Feel sorry for the helicopter


Gameplay

The mechanics are in the vein of “God of War” with a bit of “Ninja Gaiden” thrown in. I say “Ninja Gaiden” because playing as Wolverine reminds me of playing as Ryu Hayabusa using only the “falcon talons.” The gameplay is extremely basic. Make it from point A to point B and slice anyone who impedes your progress. Speaking of slicing, the moves EXECUTED (pun intended) in this game are EXTREMELY violent and earns every bit of its “M” rating. There is one move where he will get in close and rip the enemy’s body in half. Wolverine is all about doing bad things to bad people and the game shows it in full force.


In order to be the best there is at what he does, Mr. Howlett has a wide assortment of moves in his arsenal. There is the “Quick kill,” that has Logan grabbing an opponent only to claw him up in the most horrendous ways. Then you have the “Claw Spin,” which puts him in a circular rage and has any enemy in the vicinity feeling the brutality. While in this mode, you can also move him around to try to kill that single enemy who tried to escape. Along the way, Wolverine can pick up “mutegens,” which will enhance a certain aspect of your move set. For example, there is one that will allow you to perform the “Claw Spin” for a longer period of time by tapping a specific button. You also can buy more “skill sets,” from the experience points you earn throughout the game. These open up more combos. However, as fun as the game can be, it can get repetitive after the first half. The enemies for the most part have the same move set. Also, boss fights leave a little more to be desired. You can only fight “Wendigos” for so long. However, I will admit that the battle with the “Sentinel” is the best in the game and you wonder why the rest of the battles do not feel as epic.


Graphics

Visually, it is a mixed bag. Wolverine, himself, is detailed and seeing his body heal itself after being beaten and burned is amazing. It’s just too bad that the other characters did not get the same treatment, as they are average at best. Not horrendous by any means, however, the same visual treatment Hugh Jackma…. I mean Wolverine received should have been given all around. Also, the environments are a bit of an issue as well. While they look great when taken into the context of the cutscenes, once you take control of the game, it is a different story. They have a generic look to them and all of the corridors in the laboratory stages tend to look almost identical to one another.



Beserker Barraaaaaage!!!


Sound

The voice acting is solid as most of the cast reprises their roles from the film in the game. Also, the sound effects are just as solid. Also, the sound effects are just as solid. Hearing Wolverine’s adamantium claws shred through enemies is nothing short of awesome. However, hearing enemies saying the same lines over and over can be grating.


Lasting Appeal

There are alternate costumes you can try to obtain as well as trophies that you may have missed along the way. But once you beat the story however, there is not much incentive to go back. Keep in mind the game is about 10 hours long.


The 411

The game is a guilty pleasure type of fun. You know its repetitive and not that deep, but sometimes you just want to kill things. This game delivers that aspect in spades. While it does have its share of shortcomings, I personally enjoyed playing the game more than the film. This is honestly one of the better movie based games to have come out in recent years and is deserving of at least a rental.

Graphics	7.5	The Wolverine Model is great. However bland backgrounds and average character design hold it back
Gameplay	7.9	Great fun that is mixed with much repetition
Sound	8.0	Solid voice acting and great sound effects make the experience visceral
Lasting Appeal	6.9	Once the game is complete there is not much to do afterwards
Fun Factor	8.5	This is one of the better games starring Wolverine and is worth your time
Overall	7.8   [ Good ]

Screenshots
All 17 X-Men Origins: Wolverine Screenshots