Video Game Reviews
Title: The Hulk
Review rating: ***1/2
Platform/console: Gamecube, Playstation 2, Xbox
Release date: June 2003
Genre: Action/fighting
Players allowed: 1
ESRB rating: T (mild violence)
Production company: Universal Interactive Studios, Inc.
Throw a soldier up at a helicopter. Bash through just about
any structure within your environment. Use a thunderous clap
to take out a military tank. These are just some of the fantastical
actions you can experience in this solid game ideal for gamers
with more destructive tastes. If the Bruce Banner stealth
missions become tedious, you may find yourself getting hurt
on purpose just to be Hulk.
“Hulk out” and fight up to 10 enemies at once
with approximately 45 attacks in over 25 environments. The
main mode you choose from in the beginning is the story mode
(Challenge mode is unlockable). Options include three settings
of difficulties.
Once you’re set up, your ultimate goal is to conquer
the main antagonist Leader along with other baddies such as
Madman, Flux, Ravage, and Half-life, though you might find
yourself replaying a lot of levels just for the sheer fun
of it. Eric Bana provides his voice talent to a nice, original
storyline that’s not closely related to the film’s
plot – a welcome change which makes players feel they
can have a deeper entertainment experience instead of feeling
like a pawn for the film’s marketing campaign.
The graphics use lots of bright lighting to give the animation
a unique comic book feel. You always have plenty of bright
environments as well which makes for easier gameplay especially
for inexperienced players.
The controls work well for the most part. Character dialogue
gets interrupted when you start a fighting move and Bruce
movements aren’t a fluid as the Hulk’s. It takes
3 hits to defeat a soldier, but throwing guys into walls and
other structures will take care of them right away. Your endless
waves of adversaries may get a bit tiring, so remember it’s
better to move through some levels quickly only defeating
foes in your way. Your rage meter gives you extra power to
dispose of them more quickly.
High replay value, many unlockables and entertaining game
play should provide you with a lot of reasons to add this
title to your library regardless if you’ve read the
Hulk comics or not. Need another reason? OK, one bonus unlockable
includes a way to play the game through an alternate mode
(not Hulk or Bruce). Enjoy!
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Universal Interactive Studios
®
