Usually movie games suck and are horribly generic. But lately they have been getting better and better, while still remaining remarkably generic and basically nothing more than Final Fight style side scrolling beat em ups. The difference now is Hollywood seeing the money that can be made in games are working closer with the game industry. We’re still getting mediocre results, but at least they are playable and somewhat fun. I’m getting ready to launch a new blog dedicated to Movie, Superhero and Cinematic games, as a primer to the site I thought it would be fun to take a look at a couple of the hot upcoming movie games we’ll all be playing this summer.
Batman Arkham Asylum
While not technically a movie game, Batman Arkham Asylum is based on a movie franchise and is the game that should have come out when The Dark Knight hit last year to capitalize on the movie’s release, but it got delayed. Which is a good thing, this game is meant to be it’s own stand alone thing. In it you get to Face off against Gotham¿s greatest villains including The Joker, HARLEY QUINN, VICTOR ZSASZ and KILLER CROC. Become the Invisible Predatotm with Batman’s takedowns and unique vantage point system to move without being seen or utilize the unique FreeFlowtm combat system to chain together unlimited combos and battle with huge groups of The Joker’s henchmen. Choose multiple takedown methods, including swooping from the sky and smashing through walls, and use the predator camera get a closer look at the action. Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island, presented for the first time ever in its gritty and realistic. Experience what it’s like to be BATMAN using BATARANGS, explosive gel aerosol, The Batclaw, sonar resonator and the line launcher
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
I’m running hot and cold on the movie, last week I had no excitement for it, but then they released that amazing trailer at the end of the week, now my heart’s all aflutter again over Potter. I think I’m going HBP for a 3rd time, maybe I’ve been too harsh. I don’t know anything about the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince other than it was scheduled to come out last November, but got pushed back at the last minute when Warner Brothers changed the release date of the movie to June of this year. So I’m assuming the game has been ready for some time, it is interesting that EA really hasn’t been promoting this title and keeping mum. I thought all of the previous HP Games pretty much sucked but I’m really hoping EA does something different and new here. Streets June 30th.
Terminator Salvation
While I’m kind of meh on the movie, I loved the Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles television show so I do have the Terminator good vibrations right now. This game will have 2-player local co-op mode allows players to battle through post-Judgment Day LA with a friend in local co-op play. Prequel to the upcoming Terminator Salvation film gives players the opportunity to be John Connor for the first time and continue the epic fiction of the Terminator mythology. Designed to fight to the bitter end on land and in the sky, the unrelenting and incredibly resilient robotic enemies from the Terminator franchise are the ultimate enemies. Advanced destructible cover gameplay incorporates cover mechanics allowing players to use the destructible environment as protection to strategically navigate through enemy territory. A diverse array of advanced weaponry and rugged armored vehicles allows for over-the-top battles. Streets June 23, 2009
XMen Origins: Wolverine
I’m a fan of the old school final fight style beat em up. It’s why I liked both Watchmen The End is Nigh and Wanted: Weapons of Fate. I don’t like a lot of complexity in my games. I just want to walk around kick open some doors, punch people and move on. Don’t junk it up with puzzles or any of that stuff. This is what I’m hoping to get out of Wolverine. The game features Cinema quality action sequences with jaw-dropping graphics and detail. Over 100 custom moves, reflex quick-kills, and long-range lunge attacks. Rage abilities to unlock special moves and powers Utilize Wolverine’s Feral Senses for tactical advantages over the enemy. Real-time regeneration powers to mend bones and tissues for non-stop combat action. Streets May 1, 2009
Wanted: Weapons of Fate
I hated the Wanted movie but found the game to be pretty fun. It’s mindless and short. Like the movie, the game revolves around a centuries-old, secret fraternity of assassins that kill people as dictated by the mysterious Loom of Fate. Curve bullets and kill your targets, just like the characters in the blockbuster film. Close, hand-to-hand combat provides exciting game play. Take out your targets by hitting an explosive object and creating a deadly blast. Loaded with greater characters, such as The Russian, The Immortal, and The Killer. Out now.
G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra
All-new storyline developed exclusively for the game that leverages key moments from the film. Choose from 12 of your favorite G.I. JOE characters, each with unique weapons and abilities. Two-player single-screen co-op play lets you and a friend pick your elite G.I. JOE® team and call in support from other G.I. JOE characters. Jump into, steal or hijack powerful G.I. JOE or COBRA vehicles and open fire. Battle COBRA’s deadliest bosses as you snake your way through enemy territory. Streets July 27, 2009.
Ghostbusters
Come on, it’s the Ghostbusters, how can this game miss? It’s a movie game that’s how. Features an all-new storyline – same blend of humor and fright that made the movies a pop culture phenomenon. A continuation of the movie series, set 2 years after the events of Ghostbusters II. Blast and wrangle ghosts with an arsenal of unique and upgradeable equipment. Throw out a trap, hook a struggling ghost, and slam it into submission for final capture. Switch between 4 weapon sets to access 8 unique proton pack weapons ¿ different weapons are optimized for each enemy class. Use gadgets like the PKE Meter and Ghost Light to scan and analyze targets. Spend the money you’ve earned to upgrade the power and duration of each weapon. Equipped with a variety of unique weapons and gadgets. Streets June 16, 2009.