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Video Games Today's Date:

The Incredibles

Developer: Developer: Heavy Iron Studios
Platform: All of them. Even the Mac!
Players: 1
Release date: 10/31/04
Reviewed: PC Edition

All gamers know the rule of thumb when it comes to video games based on movies: They suck. Usually because the game developer has to pay so much to get the movie license and they are under the deadline of having the game out around the same time as the movie. Corners are often cut that leave the games feeling like hollow movie merchandising.

The Incredibles falls somewhere between the exception and the rule.

Based on Pixar's recent box office animated superhero movie, as if you needed me to tell you that, you control each of the main character through 18 levels of bad guy smashing and…more bad guy smashing.

There is some variety to the levels, but only enough to highlight the super powers of the character you are playing. Mr. Incredible levels are standard punch and kick fare, Elastic Girl will use her stretchy powers to fight and solve puzzles, Dash speeds his way through timed obstacle courses and Violet adds unwelcome stealth missions.

None of the missions are very engaging. You'll either have no problem getting past them or be on the verge of throwing your controller down in frustration.

Fighting henchmen is an exercise in patience as none of them are smart enough to fight their way out of a paper bag. You'll mow a batch down, walk a few paces and then prepare to trounce another batch.

Some of the puzzles are interesting but most require that you perform a long series of steps that if you make a mistake require you to start over. Add a timer to them and awkward camera angles and it's an experience you'll soon grow weary of.

Dash's missions are probably the most fun in the game, but require a quick reflex that younger players may not have. Violet's missions are the worst because her powers are inconsistent and seem buggy at times. I was never sure if that was by design or the product of a rush job.

The game does assume you've seen the movie and doesn't go out of its way to retell that story for the unenlightened. Samuel L. Jackson is the only cast member to lend his unique voice to the game (as the narrator) with the rest of the cast being voiced by patchwork sound bytes from the movie. That didn't bother me, but the lack of any real diversity means you'll hear each character's few lines of dialogue repeated constantly.

The game is rated "T" for Teen but there is nothing in the game that wasn't in the movie. Most teens would probably get bored playing it, but I'd bet a ten year old might really enjoy parts of it. The easily pummeled henchmen would be something a ten year old could tackle but a parent might have to help out with a puzzle now and then.

On the positive side, Amazon.com sells the PC version of the game for a measly $22. You probably paid more to see the film than you will to play the game. If you have kids that really liked the movie, than the game might be just the thing to keep interested. (Proven at the McCaw household with the PS2 version and several children.)

With games running upwards of $50 lately, The Incredibles game does offer some hours of entertainment without breaking the piggy bank.

The Incredibles Amazon Page

Michael Goodson

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