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X-Men Origins: Wolverine: Thoughts and Impressions

by Neal Ronaghan - April 7, 2009, 4:38 pm EDT
Total comments: 11

On the other hand, the Wii, DS, PS2, and PSP versions were made specifically for the movie. These titles are being developed by Amaze, who are responsible for the great Spider-Man: Web of Shadows recently released for DS. While the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are rated Mature, the Wii version will be rated Teen and the DS version will rated E10+. As far as I know, the Wii version is its own game and will feature less of a story than the HD versions. For example, there is a Sentinel boss battle that will not be in the Wii version. The Wii version will also feature motion controls. The DS version will be a Metroidvania game like Spider-Man: Web of Shadows was for DS last year.

Going back to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version of the game that I got to play last week, it is outstanding. At heart, it's a beat-'em-up, but there's so much variation in the combat that it doesn't become boring. The best addition to the combat is the lunge move, which can also be used as a crude lock-on mechanic. When an enemy is highlighted, Wolverine can pounce on them from far away and follow up with button presses to initiate a combat chain.

The game deserves its Mature rating as blood flies, heads are decapitated, and bodies are ripped in half. It even has finishing moves called quick kills that are similar to MadWorld's finishers. One of these finishing moves has Wolverine fighting with an enemy to point his gun at his head and blow it off. There's a different one for every enemy type and it is fun to discover how Wolverine dispatches each enemy.

For the unfamiliar, Wolverine possesses a healing factor that allows him to quickly recover from virtually any wound, disease or toxin. This healing factor makes it so you're almost impervious to light damage. Also, his shirt is torn away as you take damage, but strangely, his pants always stay on; it must be like how the Hulk's pants always stay on.

To break up the action, you have the occasional puzzle, which generally involves moving blocks around. It's a little weird seeing Wolverine solve Zelda-esque puzzles, but it adds some much needed variety to the game.

As far as boss battles go, I only fought one major one against Sabretooth. It was interesting how they handled his healing ability (which is similar to Wolverine's). Basically, you had to fight him multiple times because every time he got low on health, he would push you away and regenerate.

I didn't get to play these battles, but the development team also demoed a boss fight against the Blob in a supermarket and an epic fight against a Sentinel.

I am very excited for the Xbox 360 version of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which is scheduled for release on May 1, 2009.

Talkback

BlackNMild2k1April 07, 2009

You say the Wii version features less of a story, but does it have the same gameplay even though it only rated teen and made by a different developer?

In all honesty, I don't know too much about the Wii version. All I did was talk to a producer on the game who was very cryptic about it.

It will feature similar gameplay, but skewed towards the Wii audience or some PR bullcrap. So that means there will be motion controls and crap like that.

Quote:

The DS version will be a Metroidvania game like Spider-Man: Web of Shadows was for DS last year.

Get excited NOW!  The HD game sounds interesting, but I'm worried about the Wii version if they didn't show it and barely talked about it.  Sounds like they have something to hide.

NinGurl69 *hugglesApril 07, 2009

Wii Flop until further notice.  Great job with that PR, Asstivision!

NinGurl69 *hugglesApril 07, 2009

Will this game feature the stringwork and the unfinished CG of the current feature film?

Quote from: NinGurl69

Will this game feature the stringwork and the unfinished CG of the current feature film?

We can only hope.

TJ SpykeApril 08, 2009

I see no reason for the Wii version to have less content than the Xbox 360 considering they use the same disc storage size (about 8.7GB dual-layer). I guess Activision Blizzard is one of those third parties that still haven't realized that you can't do a half-assed effort on the Wii version of a game and then be surprised if it bombs compared to the other versions.

The game looks nice, although not worth $60 IMO (I would probably get the Xbox 360 version too). Maybe when it hits $20.

I think a lot of the reason why the Wii version is lacking in content is because it didn't have the longer development time that the 360/PS3 versions had.

StratosApril 09, 2009

Quote from: nron10

I think a lot of the reason why the Wii version is lacking in content is because it didn't have the longer development time that the 360/PS3 versions had.

I don't see why the Wii team couldn't just jack material from the HD team. All the concept and design work is already done so it shouldn't be that much of an issue to create a non-HD version even with toned down violence.

NinGurl69 *hugglesApril 09, 2009

Good downporting actually requires coordination and talent (increased specialized labor).

Having learned more about this game from the latest Giant Bombcast, it sounds like the M-rating and extreme violence may be the most interesting thing about the HD versions.  Turning down the gore and excess for a T-rated Wii version seems like it would defeat the purpose.  :-(

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