Slip on a pair of tights and the world's your oyster
With every blockbuster action movie comes the videogame equivalent and this summer is no exception, with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer looking to outdo Spiderman 3 by throwing not one, but four superheroes into the melting pot. The critical success of any game that features a superhero should be assessed on whether it makes the player feel immersed in the superhero role, whether it's fun to play and whether it gives us plenty of interesting and inventive scenarios in which to show-off the full range of powers; without these key factors it's a waste of time making it in the first place. It's not a waste of time for the developers of course, because with a blockbuster movie comes a blockbuster wad of cash for the company lucky enough to win the license to the videogame. I hate to say it but, despite it severely lacking in the fun department and doing little to engross you fully or grasp your attention for any sustained period, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer will be one of those big money-makers.
The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a 3rd person action game that grants you the power to switch between and use the abilities of all four of the main characters: The Human Torch, who can fly and manipulate fire; the Invisible Woman, who not only has the ability to sneak around without being seen, but can also manipulate and project powerful invisible force fields and weapons; the elastic Mister Fantastic, who can stretch his body into any shape he desires; and The Thing, who has superhuman strength, stamina, and enhanced resistance to physical injury. The story revolves around these four super heroes embarking on an mission, where you have the opportunity to show-off some of their extraordinary abilities by pummeling away at enemies from the Fantastic Four universe, including their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom, whilst seeking to unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer, an interstellar being who's intent on destroying mankind.
Click for larger image
Click for larger imageFantastic Four: Rise of The Silver Surfer plays very much like a beat 'em up game, albeit with a few puzzle solving objectives. There's no denying that there is some depth to the combat thanks to the range of attacking combos and special moves available, and it could also be said that some of the game's very simple puzzles provide a break to the pace of the fast and furious battle segments, but the majority of the gameplay merely involves fighting through level after level of similar and increasingly monotonous fight sequences.
