Green Lantern: Rise Of The Manhunters Review
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Green Lantern finally gets his own videogame. With this game being a tie in for the upcoming movie, one question is on every gamer's mind. Does this title suffer from the videogame movie curse?
Story - Way before the Green Lantern Corp was formed. The Guardians Of The Universe created an android raced to protect the galaxy, known as the Manhunters. The Manhunters became corrupted and were exiled. Now they seek revenge and vow to destroy the Guardians and the Green Lantern Corps. The story does a good job for the most part. It's set in the same universe as the movie. I'm guessing that it takes place during Hal Jordan's time on OA. The story starts off with Hal, Sinestro and Kilowog paying their respects to Abin Sur. Amon Sur (Abin Son) is also attending the event, when the Manhunters strike. You'll take Hal through different locations to find out what the Manhunters are after, who is behind the attacks and why.
Gameplay - The gameplay is far from original. Green Lantern: Rise Of The Manhunters borrows aspect from two games in particular, God Of War and Sin & Punishment. This doesn't mean this game is a knockoff, or badly done. In fact the gameplay is actually enjoyable. Hal has tons of moves, and combos in his arsenal to fight off the Manhunters. Like any standard action game you have your light attacks and strong attacks. Hal's light attacks consists of two swords which he wields with great skill. His strong attacks comes with a heavy hammer. In order to the progress to the next area. Hal will have to clear out the enemies opposing or figure out some puzzles. The puzzles are really easy to figure out, since the game decides to give you hints if it sees you struggling. What makes this game enjoyable is the different combos and constructs you can use. One thing the game did really well, is making you feel like a Green Lantern. Hal has 12 constructs each do a specific job and damage. The game really gets fun when you can use your Blade Whip on an enemy, and then switch to your Gatling Gun right after to inflict more damage. You can arm yourself with 8 constructs at a time using the slots provided. I found this great by simply pressing the L2 or R2 button, the constructs that I selected are right there for me to use. Hal also has a meter which send him into overdrive. When taking damage, or beating enough enemies Hal can summon his willpower for a short time for an unlimited use of construct attacks. When he is in overdrive mode you will feel invincible.
The game is not just beat em ups. The game also allows you to upgrade your attacks, willpower meter, and purchase constructs such as the Mech Suit and Jet Fighter. When your not on land, players will take Hal Jordan into the air and space. The flight levels are a blast to play. The gameplay will quickly remind you of Sin & Punishment. You have to take out as much enemies as you can, unlock doors and even figure out some quick puzzles. The controls for the flight feels a little clunky, but you'll get use to it after a few minutes. The gameplay has a few issues. One major issues is the camera. The camera at times pulls so far away, that you can't keep track of what your doing. This happens often when you have a huge wave of enemies. It would have been nice if you can control the camera or at least have a zoom button. Another flaw is the game gets repetitive quickly. After the first three missions you'll know how to defeat most of the Manhunters. Most of the constructs will defeat most of the enemies, the game does keep it fresh with quick time events, but it still gets repetitive. Finally for those hoping for multiplayer online will be disappointed. The multiplayer is strictly offline, and a friend can just press start and play as Sinestro. Trying out double team attacks with your friend is a blast. Grabbing a Manhunter and pitching them to your friend to swing with the bat is a pleasure.
Gameplay Video
Graphics - The graphics are great to see. The world of OA is beautiful, the environments really come to life. It does a great job capturing the canon of Green Lantern. The backgrounds really come to life in the later levels and it really feels like your on this great space adventure. However to just to nitpick I did see some background hiccups. Due to the camera angles you'll see some texture issues on the right side or left side of the screen.
Sound - The music is composed so well. You really feel like a superhero playing this game. The soundtrack consists of choirs, strings and drums. The opening level music really sets the mood and really wraps you into the experience. The voice acting is also well done. Ryan Reynolds provides the voice of Hal Jordan and he nails it. Hal is strong, witty and compassionate. The only voice I felt wasn't up to par was Sinestro. It wasn't the voice actor, it sounded like they lowered the pitch of his voice a little. Other than that little complaint the sound is awesome. Play this game with surround sounds.
Replay Value - The game doesn't offer any modes besides the story. Its a fun game, but you might only play once unless you are a die hard Green Lantern fan.
Final Grade C+/7.5 - Green Lantern: Rise Of The Manhunters is a fun game. Fans of the hero will enjoy it, casual gamers and even hardcore gamers should at least give this game a glance. It's not perfect but it does a lot of things right. The music, the construct and the graphics are worthy enough mentions to check out this game. At the end of the game you will say the famous oath "In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night. No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware of my power GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT!"
Story - Way before the Green Lantern Corp was formed. The Guardians Of The Universe created an android raced to protect the galaxy, known as the Manhunters. The Manhunters became corrupted and were exiled. Now they seek revenge and vow to destroy the Guardians and the Green Lantern Corps. The story does a good job for the most part. It's set in the same universe as the movie. I'm guessing that it takes place during Hal Jordan's time on OA. The story starts off with Hal, Sinestro and Kilowog paying their respects to Abin Sur. Amon Sur (Abin Son) is also attending the event, when the Manhunters strike. You'll take Hal through different locations to find out what the Manhunters are after, who is behind the attacks and why.
Gameplay - The gameplay is far from original. Green Lantern: Rise Of The Manhunters borrows aspect from two games in particular, God Of War and Sin & Punishment. This doesn't mean this game is a knockoff, or badly done. In fact the gameplay is actually enjoyable. Hal has tons of moves, and combos in his arsenal to fight off the Manhunters. Like any standard action game you have your light attacks and strong attacks. Hal's light attacks consists of two swords which he wields with great skill. His strong attacks comes with a heavy hammer. In order to the progress to the next area. Hal will have to clear out the enemies opposing or figure out some puzzles. The puzzles are really easy to figure out, since the game decides to give you hints if it sees you struggling. What makes this game enjoyable is the different combos and constructs you can use. One thing the game did really well, is making you feel like a Green Lantern. Hal has 12 constructs each do a specific job and damage. The game really gets fun when you can use your Blade Whip on an enemy, and then switch to your Gatling Gun right after to inflict more damage. You can arm yourself with 8 constructs at a time using the slots provided. I found this great by simply pressing the L2 or R2 button, the constructs that I selected are right there for me to use. Hal also has a meter which send him into overdrive. When taking damage, or beating enough enemies Hal can summon his willpower for a short time for an unlimited use of construct attacks. When he is in overdrive mode you will feel invincible.
The game is not just beat em ups. The game also allows you to upgrade your attacks, willpower meter, and purchase constructs such as the Mech Suit and Jet Fighter. When your not on land, players will take Hal Jordan into the air and space. The flight levels are a blast to play. The gameplay will quickly remind you of Sin & Punishment. You have to take out as much enemies as you can, unlock doors and even figure out some quick puzzles. The controls for the flight feels a little clunky, but you'll get use to it after a few minutes. The gameplay has a few issues. One major issues is the camera. The camera at times pulls so far away, that you can't keep track of what your doing. This happens often when you have a huge wave of enemies. It would have been nice if you can control the camera or at least have a zoom button. Another flaw is the game gets repetitive quickly. After the first three missions you'll know how to defeat most of the Manhunters. Most of the constructs will defeat most of the enemies, the game does keep it fresh with quick time events, but it still gets repetitive. Finally for those hoping for multiplayer online will be disappointed. The multiplayer is strictly offline, and a friend can just press start and play as Sinestro. Trying out double team attacks with your friend is a blast. Grabbing a Manhunter and pitching them to your friend to swing with the bat is a pleasure.
Gameplay Video
Graphics - The graphics are great to see. The world of OA is beautiful, the environments really come to life. It does a great job capturing the canon of Green Lantern. The backgrounds really come to life in the later levels and it really feels like your on this great space adventure. However to just to nitpick I did see some background hiccups. Due to the camera angles you'll see some texture issues on the right side or left side of the screen.
Sound - The music is composed so well. You really feel like a superhero playing this game. The soundtrack consists of choirs, strings and drums. The opening level music really sets the mood and really wraps you into the experience. The voice acting is also well done. Ryan Reynolds provides the voice of Hal Jordan and he nails it. Hal is strong, witty and compassionate. The only voice I felt wasn't up to par was Sinestro. It wasn't the voice actor, it sounded like they lowered the pitch of his voice a little. Other than that little complaint the sound is awesome. Play this game with surround sounds.
Replay Value - The game doesn't offer any modes besides the story. Its a fun game, but you might only play once unless you are a die hard Green Lantern fan.
Final Grade C+/7.5 - Green Lantern: Rise Of The Manhunters is a fun game. Fans of the hero will enjoy it, casual gamers and even hardcore gamers should at least give this game a glance. It's not perfect but it does a lot of things right. The music, the construct and the graphics are worthy enough mentions to check out this game. At the end of the game you will say the famous oath "In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night. No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware of my power GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT!"
