The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction
(GameCube/Playstation 2/XBox)
immaculatewang
Rating: 5/5
HULK IS STRONGEST GAME THERE IS.
In 2003, to coincide with the
release of the Hulk movie, Vivendi Universal released a game called
simply 'The Hulk.' For some reason, the descriptor 'Incredible' was
left out of the title. Many felt that fitting, as the game was
impressive in no way. However, I'll not waste time ranting over that
game's flaws. It's safe to say that VU realized their own mistake. This
year, they've come back with a new addition to the Hulk mythos in the
form of Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, and they've aimed to
atone for past misdeeds. I forgive them. After playing this game, you
will too.
Give me a bad review. I *dare* you.
Getting Started
Things open like they do in most games; developer's logos and a short opening cinema. This one is no different. Once you start a new game, another cinema plays, explaining a bit about the main character as well as a bit about the story.
The gameplay starts you in a training area, where you can start by learning how the Hulk moves. I personally appreciated this; rather than covering every meticulous detail, the training objectives covered some important basics, as well as let you play with some fun stuff you don't get until later in the game. Additionally, you may spend as long as you like in the training area, smashing objects and generally learning controls, all without fear of danger.
Learning Curve and Game Play
The interesting thing about this game is that it has almost no learning curve at all in terms of gameplay. Combat and movement is so intuitive that once you try out a new move, you've pretty much got it. And even if you don't, it'll be entertaining enough that you'll keep practicing with it until you do.
The difficulty curve, I found, was very, very well balanced. The game does a wonderful job of setting up dramatic tension during the introduction of new enemy types or bosses, but you'll never have too much trouble accomplshing your goal if you keep your head and remember your moveset.
Additionally, the environment is highly interactive. Almost everything can be destroyed (hence the subtitle, 'Ultimate Destruction'), from cars, to signposts, to buildings. Additionally, anything that can be picked up can be used as a weapon. Cars can be ripped in half to form steel boxing gloves, buses can be flattened into shields and thrown like boomerangs. Spinning globes on gas station signposts can be used to bowl with. You can even grab enemies and throw them at other enemies. An environment this interactive really allows you to modify your tactics on the fly, ensuring that no battle is ever quite the same.
Graphics
The game looks great. The Hulk is very well-defined and expressive, as are all of his foes. Vehicles are well-detailed given the scale, and viewing the city from a rooftop is a pretty impressive sight. Buildings collapse into smoldering rubble that throws flames and smoke hundreds of feet high, making it viewable from a ways away. Nearby cars are half-buried in the wreckage, a touch I found rather nice. Seeing the swath of destruction you've cut from a good vantage point is a very rewarding experience. Bosses are appropriately large and imposing (VERY large, given the Hulk's already massive physique), and do a great job of making your eyes go wide when they finally appear. While I wouldn't call the game beautiful, everything you'll see definitely has you going 'Coooooooool.'
I think this giant robot guy will look good riiiight HERE.
Sounds and Music
Smashes and crashes, explosions and screams; it all sounds authentic and crystal clear, doing a wonderful job of immersing you in the experience. When helicopters are called out to combat you, you can hear them coming, growing steadily louder as they get closer to your location. Sirens echo off of building walls and around intersections, another cool effect.
The voiceovers are well done, also, due to the fact that they used real talent. Bruce Banner is voiced by Neal McDonough, who voiced the same character in the Incredible Hulk cartoon series, and his nemesis, Emil Blonsky, is voiced by Ron Perlman, of Hellboy fame. All in all, a well done game script.
Sure, he's not Tony Hawk, but are *you* gonna criticize him?
Final Thoughts
This is a great game. The story, while not award winning, is entertaining, and the missions do a nice job of including a sense of urgency. But the real draw, as the title suggests, is the destruction. I spent maybe five hours, if that, on the story. I spent probably another thirty just randomly causing havok. It's a great game to play if you've had a frustrating day at work, and quite simply one of the most enjoyable games I've played in ages. 5 out 5.
Buy me, or HULK SMASH.
Recommended For
The game's rated T for Teen, but I let my kids play it. There's no blood, and enemies just fade away when you finish them off, though some parents might feel a little squeamish about the Hulk's abuse of law enforcement. All in all, it's a personal preference issue.
Give me a bad review. I *dare* you.
Getting Started
Things open like they do in most games; developer's logos and a short opening cinema. This one is no different. Once you start a new game, another cinema plays, explaining a bit about the main character as well as a bit about the story.
The gameplay starts you in a training area, where you can start by learning how the Hulk moves. I personally appreciated this; rather than covering every meticulous detail, the training objectives covered some important basics, as well as let you play with some fun stuff you don't get until later in the game. Additionally, you may spend as long as you like in the training area, smashing objects and generally learning controls, all without fear of danger.
Learning Curve and Game Play
The interesting thing about this game is that it has almost no learning curve at all in terms of gameplay. Combat and movement is so intuitive that once you try out a new move, you've pretty much got it. And even if you don't, it'll be entertaining enough that you'll keep practicing with it until you do.
The difficulty curve, I found, was very, very well balanced. The game does a wonderful job of setting up dramatic tension during the introduction of new enemy types or bosses, but you'll never have too much trouble accomplshing your goal if you keep your head and remember your moveset.
Additionally, the environment is highly interactive. Almost everything can be destroyed (hence the subtitle, 'Ultimate Destruction'), from cars, to signposts, to buildings. Additionally, anything that can be picked up can be used as a weapon. Cars can be ripped in half to form steel boxing gloves, buses can be flattened into shields and thrown like boomerangs. Spinning globes on gas station signposts can be used to bowl with. You can even grab enemies and throw them at other enemies. An environment this interactive really allows you to modify your tactics on the fly, ensuring that no battle is ever quite the same.
Graphics
The game looks great. The Hulk is very well-defined and expressive, as are all of his foes. Vehicles are well-detailed given the scale, and viewing the city from a rooftop is a pretty impressive sight. Buildings collapse into smoldering rubble that throws flames and smoke hundreds of feet high, making it viewable from a ways away. Nearby cars are half-buried in the wreckage, a touch I found rather nice. Seeing the swath of destruction you've cut from a good vantage point is a very rewarding experience. Bosses are appropriately large and imposing (VERY large, given the Hulk's already massive physique), and do a great job of making your eyes go wide when they finally appear. While I wouldn't call the game beautiful, everything you'll see definitely has you going 'Coooooooool.'
I think this giant robot guy will look good riiiight HERE.
Sounds and Music
Smashes and crashes, explosions and screams; it all sounds authentic and crystal clear, doing a wonderful job of immersing you in the experience. When helicopters are called out to combat you, you can hear them coming, growing steadily louder as they get closer to your location. Sirens echo off of building walls and around intersections, another cool effect.
The voiceovers are well done, also, due to the fact that they used real talent. Bruce Banner is voiced by Neal McDonough, who voiced the same character in the Incredible Hulk cartoon series, and his nemesis, Emil Blonsky, is voiced by Ron Perlman, of Hellboy fame. All in all, a well done game script.
Sure, he's not Tony Hawk, but are *you* gonna criticize him?
Final Thoughts
This is a great game. The story, while not award winning, is entertaining, and the missions do a nice job of including a sense of urgency. But the real draw, as the title suggests, is the destruction. I spent maybe five hours, if that, on the story. I spent probably another thirty just randomly causing havok. It's a great game to play if you've had a frustrating day at work, and quite simply one of the most enjoyable games I've played in ages. 5 out 5.
Buy me, or HULK SMASH.
Recommended For
The game's rated T for Teen, but I let my kids play it. There's no blood, and enemies just fade away when you finish them off, though some parents might feel a little squeamish about the Hulk's abuse of law enforcement. All in all, it's a personal preference issue.
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