Surprisingly not correlated to this summer’s Hellboy movie sequel, Konami’s video game adaptation spins its own story. Sadly, it’s one plagued by monotonous button mashing, impossible aiming controls, and a non-player controlled camera that will do you no favors.
If this video game adaptation does anything right, it’s maintain the character’s attitude and humorous one liners. Hellboy is handled properly in the games cinematics, both with a decent character model and with Ron Pearlman voicing him (why isn’t this based off the movie again?). Dialogue is one of the only Hellboy traits intact, as the combat could have been replaced by any generic character with the same results.
For those not in the know, Hellboy has a massive hand which he uses to smash his enemies into pulp. Science of Evil uses this for everything is can, regardless of how dull it may be for the player in the end. Smashing doors open requires constant smashing of the X button that after third time, feels completely unnecessary.
The same goes for the linear and generic level design. Battles are fought in closed off areas with enemies spawning from random locations. The developers falsely extend the length of the game by continually pouring more creatures into the area, requiring more of the same repetitious combos be performed by the player. By the end of the first level, you’ve seen all this game will offer.
Hellboy is also equipped with a gun and different types of ammo. The automatic lock on controls are the only way to actually shoot anything. The right analog stick aiming mechanic is impossible to use due to how touchy it is. It re-centers too quickly, and you need to hold the stick exactly right to aim properly. Thankfully, the automatic lock is well done and normally will find the right object/foe to shoot at.
Grabbing to perform T-rated fatalities (one per type of adversary) is woefully inconsistent. The grab animation may cleanly connect or even clip whatever it is you’re looking to pick up, but for whatever reason, it never actually completes the task. The same goes for snagging weapons off broken environmental objects. Hellboy’s controls are not up to the task.
Actual fighting is nicely designed. Hellboy hits with a solid sense of force and power. With the sameness of the levels and only a few types of enemies, Science of Evil does nothing to break itself apart from the countless mindless licensed titles before it. Even the weapons, a nice throwback to the beat-em-ups of old, feel alike.
Hellboy’s saving grace for some will be multiplayer. Either on or offline, Science of Evil allows for two players to whack enemies side by side. Undoubtedly, Hellboy fans will have a blast here, though likely only in short bursts before the boredom factor associated with the combat sets in.
Fans of classic style beat-em-ups which carried few brains but loads of action will have a decent time plowing through a level or two. After that, even genre veterans will grow tired of this comic book heroes flaws. With condensed levels and deeper combat, Hellboy might have had a chance.
Tags: dark horse comics, hellboy: the science of evil, pattern superhero cape, tg web comics, the comic emporium inc., xbox 360 top games, xbox 360 walk throughs
