Hello dear friends and gamers, and welcome to another week of reviews here at Game On! Before we continue with our normal variety of game reviews, I’d like to point out that this week; we also have a few DVDs reviewed in this column as well. While it’s not my usual forte, I managed to get a hold of a few sets that were recently released and was asked to critique them, and so I have. Not to worry though, there’s games here too…as well as DVDs based on games. So, let’s get right down to business. First things first though…games based on movies (before vice versa occurs).

IT’S A VERY, VERY, VERY FINE HOUSE

As with most summer movies, there’s always the video game tie-in, especially if the film is an animated feature – it makes more sense for the kids to be able to play through their favorite sequences in the film they just saw. There’s going to be quite a few of these such titles that I’ll be reviewing in the coming weeks, but the first for now is MONSTER HOUSE, out now for PS2, Gamecube, GBA and DS.

As far as movie tie-ins go, this one is pretty standard fare. Take on the role of one of the three main characters in the flick through a series of levels that recreate the story and scenes from the film. In the console version, that means taking control of DJ, Chowder and Jenny at different times, as they get split up at the beginning of the game. As you progress with one character, it unlocks pathways for the rest (though still very linear in its execution). The console version is set up like a typical third person shooter, with an over the shoulder camera view. Here, the characters can lock-on to enemies and blast them with their water pistols, or with a special attack unique to each character (DJ’s camera flash to stun foes, Jenny’s slingshot, or Chowder’s water bombs).

As you progress through levels, you collect the normal variety of knick-knacks and doodads that are rampant throughout most every game based on an animated feature. Here, it’s toy monkeys, which unlock art in the gallery, or tokens for the arcade so you can play “Thou Art Dead”; a CASTLEVANIA clone from the movie that’s actually almost more fun that the main game itself.

On the handheld side, things are decidedly different. For GBA, we switch to a super-deformed top-down view with a wholly different animation style. Also, you can control all three kids at once, switching with them at will with the left shoulder button. Gameplay also changes a bit, as you travel through the whole of the house together, collecting items and eventually finding your way to the heart of the creature to destroy it.The Ds version is even more drastically different. Here, you choose one of the three kids and enter a room on the map. Each room must be cleared before advancing to the next, then eventually to the next floor of the house. Control is done with either the d-pad or the face buttons, and shooting is done with the touch-screen; holding the stylus in the direction of your foes and keeping it pressed uses your weapons rapid-fire mode, while tapping it uses just a single shot.

While the handheld versions both offer a unique take on the game, with their top down views and unique controls, the console version will offer the best experience for fans of the film who want to recreate the theatrical experience. It’s not a great game by any means, but it’s a well done tie-in at least, that those who watched the film and enjoyed it will enjoy as well.

One Gamer’s Opinion:

WE ALL HAVE OUR VICES…

I have to be honest, when I first saw that there was going to be a game based on the new MIAMI VICE movie, and that it was going to be exclusively for the PSP, I was worried it was going to suck. Usually licenses based on summer blockbusters don’t quite offer the same kind of thrills we see on the screen, and especially if it’s going to be a handheld offering, things are usually dulled down a great deal. However, I was pleasantly surprised with MIAMI VICE: THE GAME once I actually booted it up and started playing.

What is presented before me is actually a rather competent third person shooter, one that would likely be found on any home console. Featuring an over-the-shoulder camera view, not unlike RESIDENT EVIL 4, you take on the guise of either undercover vice agents Crockett or Tubbs as you make your way through various levels of thugs and drug runners. Controls are simple and easy to execute, and the targeting system is easy to navigate. The game features a simplified cover system, where your character can hide behind just about anything in any given room for shielding against the hail of gunfire from every baddy you meet.

The game’s action is split up by a variety of mini games and side missions as you finish each level. Depending on what goals you complete in the level, you can confiscate drugs to unlock trade with drug dealers (in order to gain a street reputation undercover), or get a FlashRAM to hack that will unlock weapons upgrades or the locations of drug barons. These hacking missions are done a bit weirdly, as you pilot this little triangle around cyber space, letting of an electromagnetic charge to disintegrate these rotating cubes flying around. Every cube you destroy releases a circle of data. Collect all the data circles to complete that hack phase. Get hit by the “enemy fire” of the data cube’s defense systems and you loose a data circle. It sounds all rather complex, but it’s actually a cool little mini game, once you get the hang of it.There are also boat missions to break up the monotony of the straight shooting levels, though these are actually MORE monotonous. Since the weapons auto target, you just drive along and shoot, taking down everything in you path and picking up all the drugs left floating in the water behind the smoking remains of your enemies’ boats.

As you progress through the main levels, you gain a reputation on the streets depending on what weapons you use or how you’re outfitted. While some weapons offer better accuracy and firing rates, they have a lower reputation score than if you just go in with a pistol. Likewise, if you’re wearing body armor, you’ll be protected, but you gain more of a reputation if you go into battle wearing only your paisley suit. It’s a neat little system that pays off big once you try to infiltrate a drug barons’ hideout to make off with their stash.

Still, the game isn’t perfect. The voicework is pretty terrible, as neither of the actors playing the leads even TRIES to sound like Collin Farrell or Jamie Foxx, and much of the voicework of the bad guys is recycled and repeated so often it’s annoying. Also, some of the targeting is off in places…where you’ll think you have a good headshot, you’ll end up hitting the guy two or three more times than you should to bring them down. Likewise, the bad guys often use cover like you do, but run stupidly out in the open to get a clean shot off, leaving the vulnerable almost every time. Still, these are fairly minor offenses.

It’s not a great game by any means, but it is certainly better than I even expected it to be. It’s a fun shooter, though it doesn’t really do anything new for the genre. Still, it’s well made for a handheld game of its type, and certainly takes the single analog stick into consideration when playing. I never had to fumble with the camera once…which for me, is usually a big issue. There’s even a decent two player co-op mode, though both players will need a copy of the game. It may not make you want to catch the movie, but at least you’ll enjoy playing it while it lasts.

One Gamer’s Opinion:

OUT OF JUICE

For our one non-licensed game this week, we’re taking a look at JUICED: ELIMINATOR for the PSP. In what is little more than a port of last year’s console title with a few minor upgrades, ELIMINATOR continues the series’ foray into all things street racing, and still manages to bring along that odd cell phone bit.

As I said, if you’ve played the console version, not much has changed here. You still can race players, either controlled by the computer or a friend wirelessly, and race for pink slips of the cars. There’re also a few new challenge missions, which help to familiarize you with the PSP’s analog nub controls, as well as hone your skills behind the wheel. There’s also plenty of customization here, though not nearly as much as the former version of the game.

Still, what is here, while nice, is a bit bland. There still doesn’t quite seem to be the sense of speed one needs, and that was a problem in the console version as well. Also, while the car models are nice, there’s little detail (though that could be attributed to it being the handheld version). Load times are fairly decent though, so that’s not much of an issue as with most racing titles on the PSP. And, as I said, there’s still that factor of choosing which cell phone you want to be contacted on for races. It’s just seems so…unnecessary.All in all, though, it’s a fairly competent racer, and that actually seems to be its problem. There’s not much to complain about here, but there’s also not a whole lot to like. As a whole, the game is just pretty average, and while that’s not really bad per se, it certainly doesn’t spark any real interest either.

One Gamer’s Opinion:

DVD REVIEW: STREET FIGHTER II: THE ANIMATED MOVIE – UNCUT, UNCENSORED, UNLEASHED

For our first DVD review this week, we’re taking a quick look at the re-release of the STREET FIGHTER II animated movie. Released back in the game’s heyday, the film was cut a bit when it reached the US shores (as happens with much of the dubbed anime we receive). Now for the first time in the US we get the overseas cuts of the film featuring more fighting, longer more violent sequences, and, of course, Chun Li in the shower. Yes, this was actually what was listed on the press release for the DVD.

Containing two different dubs of the film, this new DVD features the original Japanese language cut of the film, as well as the UK cut, featuring soundtrack by the industrial band KMFDM (a quite different sound than the Seattle Grunge laden US soundtrack). Both versions are practically identical, and include all (or near as I could tell) of the deleted scenes missing from the originally released US version.

These include a prolonged fight between Sagat and Ryu in the film’s opening, a brief shot of Akuma in the background of one fight, the extended final battle with Bison, and the aforementioned shower scene with Chun Li, which extends into a rather brutal battle with Vega. For STREET FIGHTER fans, this movie has some fantastic fights, and is only strengthened by the fact that they are now available uncut.

Still, the makers of the movie took some liberties with the character’s backgrounds. When watching this film versus the STREET FIGHTER ALPHA films (which, according to Capcom, the ALPHA series takes place BEFORE the regular SF games) each film contradicts the next, with Ken and Ryu knowing each other at different times and encountering and re-encountering the same characters as if they’ve just met for the first time. Still, as a stand-alone film, it does quite well.

Lord knows this flick is tons better than the live action garbage they produced with Jean Claude Van Damme. It’s about as close as we’ll ever get to the truest form of a video game movie, and sadly, it’s only just animated. Still, beggars can’t be choosers, and we’ll gladly take what we can get, so long as they all match the quality as this one.

DVD REVIEW: BLOODRAYNE DIRECTOR’S CUT

Sadly, that usually isn’t the case with films based on video games, and one of the worst cases of a director just not getting it is Uwe Boll, scourge of the cinematic game fan. Dr. Boll usually fills his films (if you can call them that) with over excessive amounts of violence and sex, seemingly giving no regard to script of substance, thinking that these things are “cool” so gamers should like them automatically.

I’m serious. I actually heard him say that in an interview once. He was wondering why gamers don’t like his films and remarked “I put all these cool things in there, like fighting, blood and boobs. What more do they want?” Oh, I don’t know…maybe an adherence to the characters and storylines of the games, perhaps some decent filmmaking and scripts?

That said, BLOODRAYNE is Dr. Boll’s least sucky film to date. That isn’t to say it isn’t total shit, which it is, but it’s less shitty than HOUSE OF THE DEAD and ALONE IN THE DARK. Featuring the strangest casting for any of his films (Ben Kingsly’s mortgage must be murder) you begin to wonder who owed who a poker debt. Kristanna Loken is horrible miscast in the title role of Rayne – she looks the part at least but sadly cannot act it. Her screams as she experiences her first vampiric kills are mild wails at best. Similarly, Michael Madsen looks at though he’s phoning in his role…and this is Michael Madsen we’re talking about. Don’t even get me started on whatever the fuck Meat Loaf is doing…

Still, for once, the script can’t be blamed. Written by Guinevere Turner (GO FISH and AMERICAN PSYCHO…and the name basis for Joey Lauren Adams’ character in MALLRATS) it actually follows the character’s back-story rather well. Birthed by the unholy union between a vampire a human, Rayne is a cross breed who spends her life taking out the vampires and heading to kill the head bloodsucker…who also happens to be her daddy. Sadly, the casts’ horrendous acting keeps you from enjoying the story, or any of the fight scenes.

The problem with Uwe’s direction is that…well, he really doesn’t have any. He just sits the camera there, throws some blood on someone and calls cut. It’s not for trying, though. Michelle Rodriguez, securing her role as the go-to video game chick (RESIDENT EVIL, this, and a voiceover in the game HALO 2) actually is putting forth some effort and isn’t bad…for Michelle Rodriguez. Likewise, most of the actors are doing well with what little they’re given, though Uwe doesn’t really allow them to play much (which is probably why Michael Madsen…no, wait. Nevermind. He’s always like that).

The fault of this film’s demise lies pretty much on its star, sadly. Had she been given better direction (or, maybe been someone else) she could have done better with the role. As it stands, she just wades through the shots, grimacing so subtly you wonder what the fuss is all about, like Rayne has a splinter and is only slightly miffed about it, then goes and breaks a guys’ neck. Her screams wouldn’t elicit a chill in a frozen popsicle, and they seem almost laughable here as she pathetically emotes some pain that we’re not even sure she’s experiencing. It worked fine for her as the TERMINATRIX in T3, but sadly just falls short here. At least she looks good in the costume.

Still, if Uwe Boll had actually paid attention to the game, he would have seen that she was a poor choice. Also, he probably wouldn’t have shot the fight sequences so poorly…though maybe that has to do with his direction. His actors barely seem trained for sword fighting, and Rayne with her special arm blades uses them with slow effect, making everything look like a paltry dress rehearsal. Even those who manage a flourish seem like they’re being careful to NOT hit their opponent.

Alas, we have a few more offerings from Uwe, as his IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE is due out soon, as well as his upcoming film based on the PC shooter POSTAL. Thank Hideo he doesn’t have the rights to METAL GEAR SOLID though…the street would run red with his blood. Much like the “director’s cut” of this film, which remains EXACTLY the same as the theatrical version, but with a carnage montage at the end. Oooh, well done, Doctor.

DVD REVIEW: THE INCREDIBLE HULK: SEASON ONE

Some of you may know that I’m a big comic book geek, so it should come as no surprise to you that I’m reviewing this DVD set. Sure, it really has no place in a video game column, but that’s neither here nor there. They sent it to me, I feel obligated to review it. As the longest running series based on a comic book, THE INCREDIBLE HULK is a triumph in the science fiction/superhero genre, mainly due to the fact that it doesn’t really adhere to the source material, but rather tackles the human side of the character in a way that has barely been seen before or since, with a few exceptions (SMALLVILLE being the most recent).

Tackling what makes the Hulk a unique character, writer/producer Kenneth Johnson (“The Six Million Dollar Man”, “V”, “The Bionic Woman”) brought us pathos and a great character study in the guise of a science fiction TV show. Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner provided the human side of the Jekyll and Hyde story, with Lou Ferigno as the green beast alter ego. Both capturing the truest essence of the characters not yet seen again in any other iterations of the comic on screens big or small.

The DVD set includes the two hour TV movie “The Incredible Hulk” that introduces the characters, the two hour pilot episode proper “A Death in the Family”, the 10 episodes from season one, and a sneak preview episode from season two, “Stop The Presses”, as well as audio commentary on the intro movie by Johnson.

This commentary is a fascinating listen as Johnson, a true television legend, recounts just about every aspect of the shoot as though he shot the thing the day before he recorded the commentary. In actuality, the commentary was recorded for the single disc DVD of the “Incredible Hulk” movie, with the two part episode “Married” on the b-side, released just before the big screen Ang Lee HULK film in 2003 (which Johnson makes numerous reference to as “upcoming”). Still, even though it’s recycled, it’s chock full of good info on the show, such as why he changed the name of the character from Bruce to David (not because the studio though the name sounded “gay” as the rumor goes, but rather than Johnson hated the alliteration of “Bruce Banner”). He also reveals that actor Richard Kiel (“Jaws” from the James Bond films) was originally cast as the Hulk, and even points out the one shot that remains of the footage that was shot with him that was used in the episode. Johnson is such a pool of knowledge that I would have liked his commentary on every episode, but sadly that just isn’t that case.

What made this series work, and what makes it still hold up today, is that it truly is a character study. What happens to a man who can’t control his own anger when he must try to control the anger of others, or help others who are hurt by anger and misdeeds? It’s a wandering soul story of a man searching for his own deliverance as he aids other on similar paths, never finding his own salvation.The transfer of these episodes hold up fairly well here, and the colors don’t look saturated as can be the case with most old shows. Hopefully, the next four seasons will look just as god, and feature a bit more extras than just one audio commentary, and an episode from the series following season.

And with that, we bring our crazy column to a close, dear friends. Tune in ext week with…well, actually more of the same as I review more games based on movies (ANT BULLY, BARNYARD) and a movie about games…or rather Gamers in a film called…well, GAMERS. Until then…

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