Monsters vs. Aliens Review for Xbox 360

System: X360, PS3, PC, Wii, PS2, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Beenox	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Activision	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Mar. 24, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Visually, Monsters vs. Aliens is on par with most other current-gen titles. The look of the game is remarkably close to the visual style of the movie, which is an impressive feat indeed. Even though there are a few jagged lines here and there, and the different environments are a little bit on the empty side, this game has tight animation and a killer look.

Monsters vs. Aliens screenshot

Controls in Monsters vs. Aliens is very simple, and the game does a good job of reminding you how each character controls differently (though the basic button layout is the same). No matter which character you choose, you will have a dedicated attack, jump, and action button. Although the game’s control tutorial is a bit on the lengthy side (it goes on for the first four levels), the controls are exceedingly simple and intuitive, and both young and old player will have no issues controlling their monsters.

The sound scheme in Monsters vs. Aliens is also very good, especially the voiceover. Much of the talent from the movie has returned to do the voice work for the game, including main characters Susan (played by Reese Witherspoon), BOB (Seth Rogan), and The Missing Link (Will Arnett). The voiceovers are all very nicely done, and there is a substantial amount of dialogue in the game. The background music isn’t as exciting as the voiceover, but this is permissible, as you rarely go more than five minutes in the game without some type of dialogue.

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Overall, I was very pleased with Monsters vs. Aliens. Although it does not feature the most challenging gameplay for a seasoned gamer, the puzzle-platforming style of gameplay recalled older titles like Crash Bandicoot, and it is fun to play for both kids and adults. It is certainly one of the better licensed games out there, and although you probably won’t spend more than ten hours with this one, I doubt you’d expect more from a game inspired by a 90-minute movie. For what it is, Monsters vs. Aliens is awesome.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.3

Graphics
Graphics are incredibly sharp and achieve a look that is very close to the film.

4.1

Control
The game’s tutorial phase is very lengthy, even though the controls are not that difficult. Single button attacks as well as combos are easy to learn and use.

4.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Background music is unremarkable but the voiceover is great and features many of the voice actors from the film like Reese Witherspoon, Will Arnett, and Seth Rogen.

3.0

Play Value
As fun as this title is, once you plow through its 7-8 hour story mode, there isn’t much else to do with it.

4.0

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Unleash unique powers as all your favorite monsters from the film: The Missing Link: Bash, bounce, swing, tail whip, and climb as this prehistoric brawler! B.O.B: Ooze through cracks, stick to ceilings, and absorb and spit out enemies as this gooey blob! Ginormica: Tower over the landscape, test your strength, and use cars as roller-skates as this battling behemoth!

Battle through locations from the movie and beyond: Adventure across 20 distinct levels set in locations from the film and beyond, including the streets of San Francisco, Gallaxhar's gargantuan spaceship, and the government's super-secret monster containment facility!

Play as a team in co-op mode: A second player can pick up a controller and drop in at anytime as Dr. Cockroach Ph.D. As the most brilliant scientist in the world, players can blast apart robots, toss away enemies, plus grab hard-to-reach upgrades and other rewards.