Video game review - X-Men Origins: Wolverine

From: coventrytelegraph.net
Written by: David Bentley

HUGH JACKMAN'S new movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine was a howling success on its opening weekend at the box office - and there's a tie-in video game if you want to bring out your animal side and immerse yourself in the excitement.

The Coventry Telegraph tested out the new game and found it a razor-sharp piece of enjoyment.

Most games are notorious for being short, superficial shoot-'em-ups - but this one is a powerful and worthwhile release.

And it's full of the feral violence that some have said is missing from Jackman's screen portrayal of the metal-clawed mutant. Epic battles include one against a giant Sentinel - the mutant-hunting robots from the comic books.

Here's our verdict on the game...

Review by Martin Smith
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
£39.99
X360. Also available on PS2, PS3, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC and Wii.
18+

IF someone nearby had a hat, I'd eat it. Regular readers of the CoventryTelegraph's Bytesize computer games review column will know our deep hatred of movie tie-in video games.

However, after sitting through enough turkeys to put one off Christmas for eternity, the movie tie-in genre has been faring rather better in recent days.

And then Activision goes and delivers the wonderful X-Men Origins: Wolverine to our door. A rather large slice of humble pie beckons, I believe.

Firstly, the Wolverine game cover the film plot and beyond. Finally, someone has realised the potential.

It's an action-packed gore fest - you have been warned. The opening cut-scene sets the tone and it doesn't let up. You begin by plunging out of a helicopter. Without a parachute, naturally.

What follows is a proper blood-and-thunder action game, beautifully designed with plenty of extra add-ons for the X-Men legions thirsting for more after seeing the film.

And, despite being a tad repetitive at times, Wolverine offers gamers a proper challenge - the game length is around 12 hours, which seems to whizz by amid all of the blood and guts being spilled on most scenes.

An early contender for Game of the Year? Perhaps.

But Activision's latest outing of Call of Duty - which is set to be released in the autumn - may have a small say in that matter but this effort is certainly worthy of such esteemed company.

Rating: 5/5.