Feature: Reel Gaming--The Best and Worst Movies to Games Subscribe to this RSS feed
Finding quality games based on movie licenses are far and few in-between really good and really lousy. We take a look at some that made the cut and others that shouldn't have even been created.
Finding quality games based on movie licenses are far and few in-between really good and really lousy. We take a look at some that made the cut and others that shouldn't have even been created.
Five That Made the Cut
PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC
While fanboys will more than likely decry The Godfather's strong resemblance to Grand Theft Auto, the game offers up some pretty unique and enjoyable moments, especially if you're fan of the movie. Whether through its trademark music or unique take on the film's plot, The Godfather does something that licensed video games have tried and failed to accomplish in the past - give gamers a good time and an experience worthy of the film it's emulating.
Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth II
PC
Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth II is the most complete and exciting standard RTS to come along in a long time. It's hardly unique, but it also doesn't stumble over the genre-busting attempts that have plagued RTS' of late, forcing them to create bizarre conventions that quickly lose sight of the beautiful simplicity of the genre. This is a worthy sequel and acutely reflects the awesome Lord of the Rings world that was skillfully recreated into a movie.
PS2, Xbox, GC, PC
It sounds like hype, but it's fact: This is indeed the best Spider-Man game yet made. From the rich combat system to the simple, inexhaustible joys of swinging through the city, Spider-Man 2 delivers the experience web-slinger fans have been begging for since time immortal.
PS2, Xbox
It's been a long time since classic games like Streets of Rage, and even longer since the seminal cult classic film on which The Warriors is based, so it's all the more uplifting to play such a beautifully fleshed-out vehicle of mayhem. The vicious violence of The Warriors isn't for everyone, and it certainly isn't for kids, but if you love classic street brawlers, you won't want to miss the boat.
PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC
Despite the typical industry pitfalls associated with forgettable movie licensed games and hurried system launch titles, Peter Jackson's King Kong manages to deliver the goods with the unlikely blend of first-person shooting and third-person gorilla fighting in this entertaining and highly engaging jungle adventure. With plenty of challenging and violent monster battles set in gorgeous island environments, Kong has no trouble proving he' still the top banana.
Five Stinkers That You Should Never Play
PS2, Xbox, GC
Catwoman is one of those games that gives licensed properties a bad name--something really depressing as movie-based titles were starting to gain respectability. No, Catwoman fumbles the ball--from the moment you press start there's nothing but frustration.
PS2, Xbox, GC, PC
Based on 20th Century Fox's feature film, Fantastic Four is a team based action adventure in which players harness the Marvel superheroes' unique and amazing powers through a compelling single-player mode or two-player co-operative gameplay experience. Too bad the controls are horribly unforgiving with a visual impediment to match.
PS2, Xbox, GC, PC
Enter the Matrix took the red pill before it was really ready to know the truth. A few more months in the kung-fu simulator would have done this smartly-conceived action game a freakload of good. It's not a total dog--it's just a shame there are Matrix clones that perform the Bullet Time ballet better than this.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
PS2, Xbox
Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a beautiful, lyrical, soulful film--and the game is exactly the opposite: a sub-par brawler with all the hallmarks of a poor action game. The movie offered so much style and grace, but even with its nifty floating moves and wall jumps, the game is ultimately yang to the film's yin--a total opposite in almost every embarrassing regard. Chalk up another victim of the licensed-movie-game curse and skip this toothless Tiger.
James Bond 007: From Russia with Love
PS2, Xbox, GC, PSP
Any moviephile will tell you that James Bond has changed a lot. Preferences range from the suave androgyny of Roger Moore to Pierce Brosnan's squinting smoothie, but for some, none can match the self-assured Sean Connery original. But there are predictable missteps--the driving sequences are awkward and twitchy, and the camera doesn't always behave itself.
Five We're Hoping To Give the Red Carpet Treatment
PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC
Target release date: Fall 2007
If you thought Grand Theft Auto had a monopoly on the crime genre, think again. Al Pacino and Scarface have a few things to teach GTA fans about what it means to be a real gangster.
PS2, Xbox, PC
Target release date: Fall 2007
Mr. Pink, Mr. Orange, Mr. White, Mr. Blue, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Blonde are headed for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC in SCi Entertainment's third-person shooter Reservoir Dogs, which is based on the Quentin Tarantino film by the same name. The game will reveal information about the story, which is centered around a diamond heist, that the film never explained.
PS3
Target release date: Fall 2007
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is currently overseeing development of the first installment of the game franchise, with Academy Award winning director, producer and actor Eastwood consulting on key creative aspects of the game design. Eastwood will also lend his voice and likeness to his renowned role of police detective Harry Callahan.
PS2, Xbox
Target release date: May
The best selling novel of all time, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, is not only getting its own feature film, but it's also being released as an action game for both PS2 and Xbox. The Collective is currently developing the game and its release will coincide with the movie.
PS2, Xbox, PC
Target release date: Summer 2007
The Great White Shark, popularized by the Jaws movie franchise, is arguably mankind's most feared predator on the face of this planet, and Jaws Unleashed will give players the opportunity to assume the role of this ferocious creature to wreak havoc on Amity Island. Whichever version you plan to pick up, Jaws Unleashed is expected to chomp your world.
