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X-Men Origins: Wolverine Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Neutering Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine has hit the big screen and done well despite the problems most fans have had with the feature film. The next-gen versions of the game based on the movie has finally given fans a Wolverine game they have asked for, for years. However, with the Teen rating slapped against the PSP version, does it deliver the same ferocity as the next-gen version, or does it hinder the experience way too much?

X-Men Origins: Wolverine screenshot

The story loosely hits on the movie’s plotline. A lot of the important aspects are there, telling some of the events of Wolverine’s history before his appearance in the first X-Men movie, how he got his adamantium, his “relationship” with Victor Creed (a.k.a Sabertooth), and the crappy version of Deadpool the film had as well, apparently for consistency. The game is told through flashbacks, similar to the console version of the game, except here you find yourself strapped to a chair while Stryker erases your memories you are reliving. Doing it this way doesn’t detract from the overall elements of the story they were trying to tell in the game, but I have to admit, the difference in presentation puzzles me. Not only is the presentation different, but it is also important to point out that the PSP version of the game gives you extra levels not seen in the movie or the next-gen version of the game. These levels, Japan most importantly, feasibly set the stage for what the movie’s sequel could be about. If you are a fan of Wolverine’s adventures in Japan from the comics, these levels will undoubtedly make you happy.

As you dive into Logan’s memories to experience the story, you will find yourself fighting off villains that represent the environments. Meaning, if you are in the jungle, you will square off against native-looking adversaries, and if you are in military type areas, you will face soldiers in various aspects. After your initial introduction to the types of villains, you will face thousands more. This is the first factor that helps the game quickly become mind-numbing. Even the semi-boss battles become repetitive clone battles. I understand the importance of having clone minions to face throughout the game, but even for semi-boss battles there should have been a little more variety. It’s very similar with how the missions are setup. Every mission has a main objective, which is usually has you going somewhere to find a certain character to take out and then you get a second objective, which is usually surviving the levels without dying or something to prove to yourself that you are indeed Wolverine. However, it all seems designed with a “keep it simple” mentality.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine screenshot

For example, in the next-gen version of the game, you can upgrade Wolverine as you see fit, adding elements to his attacks to assist you naturally in the way that you play the game. However, in the PSP version this RPG element is removed. You can still level up, but it functions more like an award system than an RPG aspect. As you progress, and once you have achieved certain goals in the game, you are awarded the skills and upgrades automatically. This could have brought an extra element to the game in order to change the pacing to give players just one other thing to do.

Another example of keeping things simple are the controls for Wolverine. Your light and heavy attacks are just two buttons. This is very reminiscent to God of War: Chains of Olympus and every other Kratos-Clone; it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, which is a good thing. Keeping this part simple is actually one of X-Men Origins: Wolverine’s strengths. I mean honestly, who wants to play a Wolverine game that is overly complex? You just want to slash enemies until they are dead. The quick kill option is also simplified from the next-gen versions, reducing it to a button appearing over the enemies head in very rare instances. Unfortunately, there is an extreme fault. The fact it is on the PSP without the second analog stick causes this adventure to be camera-locked, which means there are way too many times I couldn’t see what was going on. Even though there were no problems other than seeing the killings, there was still a few times I found myself dying needlessly because of the camera.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine screenshot

Wolverine’s appearance looks more like his version on the new Wolverine and The X-Men cartoon than Hugh Jackman, but it doesn’t really detract from the overall experience of fluid killing motions. The other characters’ models also share in Logan’s cartoony feel, but again they do not detract from the actual experience. Even the environments don’t do this.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine screenshot

However, it is important to point out the environments do, at times, appear very stale. The lack of detail on a lot of the levels leaves you wanting more, especially when the Japan levels seem to carry the most environmental detail. It’s very similar to how the voice over work is done. Although it is good overall (having some of the actors lend their voices to the game adds to the experience), the repetitious one-liners get boring after you have heard them a few hundred times. The constant grunting Wolverine does in the game is as laughable as the constant grunting Kratos does in his titles.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine on the PSP’s biggest fault is the fact it is rated Teen. Even though the blood spurts and claw slicing noises are still present, the brutality of the Uncaged Edition is lost on this Teen rated experience. With the movie carrying more action and violence than the previous X-Men films, and the next-gen versions of the game doing the same, it seems pointless to dumb down or “neuter” the experience on the PSP. Maybe it is due to wanting to involve a wider audience, but those that are fans of Wolverine and want to experience an accurate representation of him don’t want to have him watered down. With all of the similarities this game shares with the God of War franchise it just doesn’t commit completely.

All things considered, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is not a bad game. It’s a very straightforward Wolverine experience. It gives you the opportunity to be the poster child of the X-Men in some of his most ferocious moments from the movie. The simplistic controls and short level designs work well on a handheld, and it opens it up for several types of gamers. Add several unlockables and you have got yourself a smorgasbord of comic book fan-enthused content. While the Uncaged Edition may be ideal for many fans, the PSP version is the best at what it does, and what it does is very nice.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.8 Graphics
The character models are acceptable in their quasi-cartoony appearance; stagnant environments are not. 2.7 Control
You can’t get any simpler than these controls. The camera, however, kills a lot of the fun. 3.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Good voice casting, sound effects, and music throughout the game. 2.6 Play Value
Is the numbing feeling you get in the back of your head supposed to signify fun? 2.8 Overall Rating – Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • 16 unique levels that tell the story of Wolverine based on the movie as well as levels only seen in the PSP sku; such as Japan and the Mines in Africa in which adamantium was deposited.
  • 6 unlockable Challenge Arenas.
  • Includes characters that the other platforms do not have, such as the supervillanous organization called The Hand.
  • Objective Based system that will unlock features when meeting the given requirement.
  • 8 unlockable skins/costumes unique to the PSP version.
  • Encounter friends and foes that tie in to the movie.
  • Two original levels exclusive to PSP – Wolverine travels to Japan to fight the mysterious group known only as “The Hand”. Also included are the Mines of Africa, where the adamantium that now coats his skeleton was originally found.
  • Six unlockable challenge arenas.
  • Eight unlockable skins unique to PSP.
  • Plus the major bosses and movie storyline of the main game as well as key boss battles and fighting features (e.g. rage, feral sense, melee combos.)

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