Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters

Game Info

The Green Lantern is superhero from DC Comics that the average person does not know a lot about. Green Lantern’s real name is Hal Jordan and he is a second generation fighter pilot who gets chosen by the dying alien Abin Sur to possess the power ring  and a battery (that is the lantern) which gives him the power to create objects in the environment through the imagination’s will. The original Green Lantern was first introduced in 1940s by All-American comics.  Then due to the popularity it received, DC revived the series with its own comic in the 1950s.  The Green Lantern has also gained more notoriety as of late by being a member of the Justice League of America which features other superheroes such as Superman, Batman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and Hawk Girl.

The game follows the main plot of the recent movie, as an origin story of the Green Lantern’s character.  The game starts out with Hal Jordan just receiving the power ring and training for the Green Lantern Corps.  There are ten different levels to fight through against hordes of manhunters.  The game play is repetitive, with a lot of button mashing which is similar to most recent comic book-movie games.  Double Helix has included a lot of ability’s at the gamers disposal. Players can unlock powers such as a Gatling gun, Mach suit and even a jet.  To mix up the game play slightly, the game has a few flying levels in which users fly on rails, in which they can shoot at everything that moves while souring through the sky. These levels are far superior to the flying levels found in Superman 64 that’s for sure.  There are some puzzles in each level you must figure out in order to progress, but they are usually simple such as moving stuff around and setting in down in certain areas.

Graphically the game looks above average and has the look and feel of the movie. The game does have 3D support which adds a little depth to the graphics.  The sound doesn’t do any more justice other then create the feel of the movie.  One positive aspect is that Double helix has recruited Ryan Reynolds to reprise his role as the voice of Hal Jordan.  Unfortunately though, Ryan Reynolds is the only carry over actor from the movie to the game.  It would have been nice to at least see a few other big names added to the cast like Mark Strong, Tim Robbins or Michael Clarke Duncan.

For multiplayer, there is co-op on the same system that is the drop in and drop out type of play.  This is very similar to the same style the LEGO games use.  The second player gets to control Sinestro.  The ability to play online with friends would have made this mode even more fun, but as it stands it does add to the game on a single console.  For the Achievement and Trophy junkies, it is also very simple to earn all the rewards for this title.

Overall I thought the game was a decent adaptation of the movie.  It featured lots of good beat ‘em up action and crazy flying levels in the game.  Double Helix also did a great job with the graphics and co-op play.  As with most movie-based games I would recommend shacking up the weekend with a co-op buddy and renting this game, while it is an enjoyable experience it is repetitive and extremely short.