August 13th, 2008 by KingWilly
Also available on:
PS2, WII The problem with movie based games
It has often been said that games based on movies are generally not worth the CD/DVD/Cartridge that they are printed on. Many are better off being used as drinks coasters. I can imagine the problem developers have with movie games. They have a limited time-frame with which to work as the game MUST be ready by the time the movie is released. Many need to incorporate the storyline of the movie which reduces the developers’ own creative process. Some contain footage -animated or actual- of the movie in the game, requiring the filming of the movie to be semi-complete prior to development of the game.
It is a wonder that game developers take on the job in the first place. But time and again, they do, and in the most part it is gamers that are left wondering whether to put the game back in the case and give it to a relative as a gift or just hide it at the back of the cupboard so that it doesn’t see the light of day again.
Of course, there have been the occasional decent if not better movie games in the past and this would surely be one of them. I have previously enjoyed The Mummy movies starring Brendan Fraser (I’m a sucker for anything Egyptian archaeology themed) and my expectations were that The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor would be one of those rare movie tie-in gems. But I should have just stuck to the percentages. This one is another dud. And being on the DS, the cartridge won’t even serve as a drinks coaster.
The Mummy, the bad and the ugly
Like I said, I had high hopes that this would be good, but not long after beginning the game, my hopes were slowly diminishing. The main reason for this was the controls. The game is your typical action top-down shooter/fighting game with some puzzles thrown in, but the controls aren’t really conducive for this style of game. The fighting controls are just abysmal. There is only one button required for fighting (yes, it makes things less complicated), but fighting waves of bad guys from different directions is more difficult than it needs to be due to the direction controls. That makes it hard to aim punches or kicks at the desired target.
The shooting controls are even worse. It becomes near impossible, unless you have three hands, as the game requires the stylus to touch the weapon on the touch screen. Now, you will most likely already be fighting a wave of enemies. Removing your hand off the punch key to touch the weapon icon invariably results in you getting hit by the enemy.
Mummy, Mummy, Mummy
Another sore point I had with the game was the AI – or lack of it. In one level it is possible to hide behind a couple of boxes. A group of three enemies will arrive in the room to do battle, but if they don’t see you, they won’t attack. If you move slightly out of your spot just enough for one to see you, that one will attack, whilst the other enemies huddle around, seemingly oblivious to the fact that you are there despite their comrade being beaten up or shot. Maybe they just couldn’t see him…
|
