Iron Man

Iron Man - (Xbox 360, PS3)
Developer: Secret Level
Format: Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Arcade

Anyone for a bit of metal fatigue?

Some ports work, some fall way from the mark. Unfortunately with this latest, the game doesn't live up to the movie. Not by a long way.

The Marvel-inspired franchise comes off the silver screen better then expected - a full-blown action fest with a great turn from Mr Downey Jr. Over on the game's cut scenes and voiceovers though, his trademark gravel intonation and moody swaggering just sound and look cheap. It's part of a whole package that feels very formulaic and rushed out to the shelves.

Like the arcade button bashers of old, the wave after wave of enemies and boss levels pitted against your suited Mr Stark as Iron Man, just drain the enjoyment. In its defence (and a lot of other titles at the mo) this is bound to suffer from the shadow that GTA IV casts but its faults go beyond this.

It's a lack of imagination in the mission set-ups and gameplay after the initial relatively impressive suit set-up (with plenty of power balancing between propulsion, weapon and flight systems) that really grind. You'll find yourself up against the movie's Maggia - the shadowy, Afghan-based group out to rule the world as well as some title-only characters such as Titanium Man and Whiplash. But what could have evolved into some cool flight and fight gameplay descends into impossible waves of enemies, repetitive and respawning bosses and objectives and a linear construction of the mission levels. Even over in One Man Army mode, that allows you the chance to unlock new suits and weapons, it's just not enough.

Snatches of frantic flight situations and the sight of the gleaming suit in the sunlight are sadly, only fleeting plus points. If ever, this is one hell of a missed opportunity.

To view more images, click here