'Wolverine' video game review

'X-Men' mutant takes another stab at video game glory

By Paul Semel

Posted May 1, 2009

Special to Metromix

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(Credit: Activision)

Rating:
Developer: Raven Software (“Marvel: Ultimate Alliance”)
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, PC, PSP, DS
Reviewed on: Xbox 360

You can usually rely on Wolverine to be the best and most fun character to play in action-RPGs (“X-Men: Legends”) and fighting games (“Marvel vs. Capcom”), but the hairy hero hasn’t done as well on his own. So it’s good news that tight controls and an endless supply of bad guys to slice and dice make his latest outing a real cut above. (Yes, it’s a bad pun, and we've got plenty more!)

Like the movie of the same name, the “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” game is an origin story, none of which we’ll spoil here (except to say that the game tells a longer tale than the film). In terms of gameplay, it’s an effectively straightforward hack ‘n’ slash actioner in the mold of “God of War.” Except that “War” anti-hero Kratos can’t match Wolfie’s knack for spinning around in mid-air like an insane ballerina or flying across the room and landing claws first on an enemy.

Those cool moves come in handy since Wolverine’s adversaries don’t play by the rules of your average kung-fu movie and kindly wait their turn to attack. They pounce all at once—like a bunch of video game journalists at an open bar. Fortunately, taking out hordes of enemies advances the story and your development at the same time through the game’s leveling up system. Defeat enough bad guys (and carry out other tasks) and Wolverine learns new moves or gets healthier.

One thing to keep in mind—especially if you’re squeamish or the parent of an X-Men loving kid—depending on your system, this ain’t a kid’s game. The 360 and PS3 versions are especially brutal, bloody and very violent. Unlike the PG-13 movie, they’re rated M (for good reason). Other versions, including the one for Wii, are rated Teen, and the DS version is the “cleanest,” with an E for Everyone rating.

Ultimately, “Wolverine” isn’t a “God [of War]” among men—it’s not the most visually stimulating game we’ve seen; sure, you can practically smell the plasma, but there are definitely better looking and more detailed games out there—but if you walk out of the movie wishing you were in Hugh Jackman’s shoes (or claws), this game will make you feel like a real animal.

Bottom line: The best at what he does.