Like the new Nicolas Cage action movie, "Ghost Rider" the video game is a fun, over-the-top bit of fantasy entertainment.
It looks spectacular, as you might expect when the protagonist is a motorcycle stunt rider who turns into a flaming skeleton.
But where the movie offered a modicum of humor to go along with its supernatural action elements, the game is mostly a derivative exercise in demon bashing -- not that there's anything wrong with that.
It's just that we've seen much of this before in games such as "God of War" or "Devil May Cry." Even the bike-riding levels are mindful of games such as "Road Rash." It's still fun but doesn't do anything to really distinguish itself.
The movie and game are both based on the once-popular Marvel comic of the same name. Johnny Blaze is a stunt bike rider in the Evel Knievel mode who sells his soul to Mephistopheles in return for the life of a loved one.
There's a reason it's called a devil's bargain, however, and each day at sundown Johnny becomes a super-powered man on fire in the presence of evil, doomed to Satan's service.
The Ghost Rider then turns the tables on his chief enemy, wandering the highways and byways and using his powers to protect others from the wicked and the damned.
The video game pretty much dumps the story line, dropping players into the role of Blaze as he is transformed into a super hero with powers to avenge any evil he encounters.
Besides super-strength, Ghost Rider is armed with the Hellfire Chain (which is very similar to Kratos' weapon in "God of War") and, eventually, a Hellfire Shotgun.
These are pretty formidable weapons, especially when used in tandem with the wealth of combo attack moves available. They also can be used on the Hell Cycle.
Game play involves moving through dungeon-like caves, graveyards and even urban environments where you can ride up the side of buildings, as in the movie, dispatching demons along the way.
Yes, it's mostly a button masher. (Let me see, is X-X-square a devastating jump-strike or the root-of-all-evil game designers trying to give my hand cramps?)
There is a wrinkle in how you dispatch foes.
At the end of each level, you're graded for speed, damage inflicted and variety of moves. This affects your fighting skill, which is reflected in a bar that fills up the more you vary your attack. Reach the top, and you'll level up, gaining new skills.
The bike-riding levels also add some variety as you'll jump monstrous caverns, perform a few lay-down stunts (turn your bike on its side so you can slide under some obstacles) and blast any of hell's minions who stand in the way.
Beating various level bosses also unlocks extras, such as Ghost Rider comics, artwork and interviews with the designers.
Unless you're a diehard fan of the character, this is definitely a rental title.
or (708) 633-5933.
News RSS