Like Action Man, only harder
What's it about?Based on the live-action movie from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is an action adventure game that pits the U.S. action figures and cartoon stars as the good guys as they seek to defeat the evil COBRA organisation.
G.I. Joe, if you didn’t already know, is the U.S. brand name for a military-themed range of action figures and late 80’s cartoon stars that range from the covert operations officer, Agent Helix, to COBRA’s ninja bodyguard, Storm Shadow. Sixteen figures from the G.I. Joe universe are playable in this movie-spin-off, which isn't actually based on the film, but continues on from where that story ends.
G.I. Joe plays much like a classic shooter, where from a third person perspective, with the camera hovering above and behind your character (almost from the top-down perspective) you power through 20 missions and rack up as many battle points as possible by shooting the bad guys. At the beginning of each mission you can choose two characters and alternate between them to take advantage of their different strengths. Alternatively, you can play the game in offline co-op mode with a friend by your side who takes up the role of the other G.I. Joe character.
Each G.I. Joe character fits into one of three classes: Commando, Heavy Weapons or Soldier, and like any class-based shooter each boasts a variety of strengths, for example, soldiers that fit into the Heavy Weapons class are gun specialists, whereas Commando’s are more adept at melee attacks.
As you progress through the missions you unlock more characters by racking up battle points and achieving set objectives, such as picking up dog tags. Other features of note include a basic cover system, power-ups, collectibles and a variety of high-tech weaponry, as well as some vehicle-based gameplay.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to play G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. As long as you know how to point and shoot then even your mother should be able to get to grips with the ancient, run-and-gun formula.
Gameplay impressions overleaf
