So it’s with a due sense of trepidation that we come to Activision’s license of the new Wolverine movie, which was quite a lame duck in itself. But as license trends go, you generally seem to get one or the other - a good film with a bad game, or a bad film with a good game (there is a third alternative, of course. I think you know what it is).
So which one is Wolverine?
Well, the game actually skips a large chunk of the box office action. It begins as Logan bursts out of the Weapon X adamantium fusion tank, in which he’s had his bones coated with the indestructible metal. In viewing terms, it’s therefore skipped the best part in which we learn about Logan’s life and motivation, but from a gaming perspective it makes a lot of sense.
The platformer action kicks off with a quick tutorial, in which you’re taught how to run, jump, hack, slash and climb, mostly thanks to your new metal coated claws (previously, they were just made of bone, you see).
The main character initially looks rather small and lost on the screen, though once you get used to running about the levels it becomes clear this is something of a necessity and actually adds to the game’s scope.
You’re a nimble fellow, and it’s pretty easy to jump around the diverse scenery using the keypad for basic directions, while Wolverine automatically sticks his claws into the appropriate places to allow you to scale a sheer wall, swing from the ceiling or glide down tunnels safely.
Fighting is also very simple, yet well executed. The '#' key blocks, though you probably won’t use that a great deal. Slash at the enemies with button ‘5’, and once they’re reeling you can grab hold and finish them off in a single stab.
Although the game moves at such a quick pace (you’re generally pitted against a timer) the obviousness of the control layout makes Wolverinea very easy game to navigate.
The time limits are quite strict, but serve to add a little extra tension to the exploration aspects of the game. Squirreled about the place are collectables, which allow you to improve on Logan’s strength and recovery power if you make it to the end of the level. Hunting these down is a decent enough rolling side-quest, and the benefits of hunting down dark corners of the labyrinthine levels definitely pays off.Admittedly, there isn’t much variation once you get the hang of the platformer/fighting mechanics, but both these aspects are well rounded enough to easily support the game. Where its faults are found are mainly in its connection to the terrible movie, with some trite dialogue and flimsy excuses for throwing Logan into a scuffle with increasingly tough super villains.
The crap fact that Stryker decided to make Logan invincible, then tried and kill him (and was stupidly surprised when it turned out to be a difficult task) isn’t the fault of the game. What I’d rather have seen EA do is follow more of a comic styling than a film license, and recreate some of Wolverine’s printed adventures, but there you go.
It’s still a nice surprise to see Wolverine in a decent, if overly safe, platform fighter that’s easy to access and entertaining enough to provide a fine alternative to watching the cheeseball flick.
