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Bionic Commando Hands-On Impressions
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 11:00 PM on June 3, 2008
Capcom's big-budget revitalisation of its Bionic Commando intellectual property has the potential be outshone by its classic remake, Bionic Commando Rearmed, as far as hardcore fans are concerned, but the new-gen update, the one starring Nathan Spencer, shouldn't be overlooked. Both are graphically gorgeous in their own ways, with Rearmed presenting a tight, clean and colourful 2.5D re-skin, with the all-new Bionic Commando appearing to be an impressive visual achievement, stuffed with attention to detail and smart level design.
Bionic Commando's move into the third dimension looks to potentially present challenges on par with the original NES classic, bringing a rather complex mechanical arm-swinging mechanic (plus jumping!) into a more freely navigable 3D space. Add to that camera control that's totally up to the player and Bionic Commando could be seen as overly complex, a potentially rough 2D to 3D transition.
We're still hopeful despite that, for reasons we'll hopefully make clear.
GRIN has already implemented a rough tutorial system that aims to get gamers up to speed quickly. Players will learn the basics of claw usage, combat and more via quick tasks early on. Add to that visual cues that indicate the ideal moment to release your jump and where one should shoot their bionic claw, players may pick the mechanics up simply. Bionic Commando also does a bit of thankful fudging when it comes to zipping up and over platforms, making upward mobility less frustrating than in its retro namesake.
Visually, the new Bionic Commando is more than just impressive. Protagonist Nathan Spencer's dreadlocks wave believably in the breeze—a minor detail, yes—as does the transition from devastated city settings to lush forested areas—a more impressive feat artistically and technically.
At this stage in development, with a ship date still "TBD," combat feels unfinished. Spencer's powerful mechanical arm could launch bad guys into the air, but they floated oddly, something we hope (and assume) will be fixed in the final version. The ability to disable one half of a pair with the bionic arm while firing at another shows that combat has potential. That Spencer can lob, then spike cars at enemy soldiers might prove that GRIN has a bit of a sadistic streak.
In the end, there's a lot to like about the new take on Bionic Commando and an equal amount of concern. The game is extremely easy on the eyes, but potentially frustrating control still has a chance to get in the way of us fully enjoying it. It almost reminds us of Sega's Gunvalkyrie in a way, a title that was still enjoyable despite its faults. Fortunatley, GRIN's spin on Bionic Commando still has plenty of time to work out the kinks, hopefully letting the solid gameplay shine.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Northern Cat
Posted 11:32 PM 3/6/08
Wii Wii Wii, wah wah wah. ReArmed on Wii, I'm 200% for that. It would make a great addition to the new Wii Ware service.
The new 3D Bionic Commando on Wii? Hm, when are people going to understand than the Wii is just a Gamecube on steroids? It can't run that game. It would get all laggy and need tuned down textures and less effects. The wiggle waggle is interesting for the bionic arm, that's all.
We need to accept the fact that current-gen belongs to PS3 / 360 / high-end PCs. The Wii is just something else.
It's like the other day where I work (I work in a videogame store) I put up the MGS4 gameplay demonstration on loop, you know, for show. Some kid asks me "Whoa what is that game!?" so I tell him. "Is it coming out for DS?"
O_o;
Northern Cat
-MoarPlz-
Posted 11:28 PM 3/6/08
@dowingba: [www.nmm.ac.uk]
...
God help us.
-MoarPlz-
Shiryu
Posted 11:25 PM 3/6/08
@dowingba: Imagine playing Castlevania, then. Same thing.
Shiryu
dowingba
Posted 11:19 PM 3/6/08
@DaiMacculate: How would you swing using the wiimote? And I'm asking like...specifically what motion would you do with the remote? I can't fathom it, honestly.
dowingba
Shiryu
Posted 11:19 PM 3/6/08
Looking really good, IMO. Hope it plays as good as it looks, that always elusive factor that is so hard to describe by words alone and we, mere mortals, must iamgine from the words of Mcwhertor, the preety pics and the nice videos.
Shiryu
archibaldleech
Posted 11:18 PM 3/6/08
I want Rearmed way more than this.
archibaldleech
Krondonian
Posted 11:17 PM 3/6/08
Looks pretty gorgeous in those screens there, and if the swinging actually works well, with good, specific controls that can be controlled easily, I'm sold on this.
The arms are looking much more meat-free too.
Krondonian
Superstar90
Posted 11:15 PM 3/6/08
Can we have it on Wii please?!?!?! Or at least Rearmed on Wii!!?!?!?
Superstar90
Ruzi
Posted 11:13 PM 3/6/08
@brandonf: they did awhile ago
Ruzi
brandonf
Posted 11:09 PM 3/6/08
Is it just my early morning eyes or have they toned down the "hotdogs" a bit?
brandonf
DaiMacculate
Posted 11:06 PM 3/6/08
Interesting. Still seems like a game that all but begs for motion control, didn't capcom run a poll on wii support at some point or something?
Rearmed, on the other hand, is a day one must buy IMO. At least the arm looks better now in the 3D one, but I'm still not totally sold.
DaiMacculate
AngryTankManMax
Posted 11:06 PM 3/6/08
The big question:
Do I still get to kill Hitler at the end?
AngryTankManMax
SuperPope
Posted 11:51 PM 3/6/08
"Protagonist Nathan Spencer's dreadlocks wave believably in the breeze-a minor detail, yes-as does the transition from devastated city settings to lush forested areas-a more impressive feat artistically and technically."
I'm interested in seeing how the transitions between devastated city settings and lush forested areas wave believably in the breeze... ;)
SuperPope
Mpalm.
Posted 11:50 PM 3/6/08
@WildKnightblazer: Then why not just release every game on wii? Whose to say the motion controls wouldn't be frustrating? It all depends how the game is made... dual analog can work perfectly if done right. Maybe they want a realistic looking game and not a game that looks like Super Smash Bros.
Mpalm.
Mpalm.
Posted 11:45 PM 3/6/08
The game looks great, hopefully the gameplay will be great as well. Looking forward to throwing cars into peoples' faces.
Mpalm.
MasterDex
Posted 11:44 PM 3/6/08
Forget about how it'll actually play, this game looks great visually. We can concern ourselves with the gameplay closer to the release.
MasterDex
WildKnightblazer
Posted 11:42 PM 3/6/08
And personally, I would much prefer a Bionic Commando with last-gen graphics and (good, like No More Heroes- or Super Mario Galaxy-good) motion controls than a Bionic Commando with current-gen graphics and an awkward, "potentially frustrating" two-joystick-and-buttons setup.
They wouldn't even have to make any lame "swinging" motions, just having a reticule onscreen to aim the arm would go a long way towards making me feel like the Bionic Commando. Even if they had to tune down the uber-realistic, high-polygon-count graphics, to the point where it was somewhere in between Super Smash Bros. Melee and Twilight Princess (the beginning and end of the Gamecube, that is), I would gladly make that tradeoff just for an IR-aimable reticule.
...I still have high hopes for this game on the 360 and PS3 (and I will be among the many making a first-day purchase of Rearmed). I'm just saying, missed opportunity - current-gen graphics be damned - that's all.
WildKnightblazer
kidko
Posted 11:40 PM 3/6/08
Looks gorgeous. I'll be waiting for the Kotaku pros/cons review
kidko
VonDante
Posted 11:39 PM 3/6/08
Bionic Commando is one of my favorite NES titles of all time. I am already absolutely purchasing ReArmed on day one of its release w/o question.
As far as the full on Bionic Commando remake for consoles. I haven't quite decided yet. I was absolutely pumped when this game was originally announced as coming. And while I haven't been turned off of the in game footage and pictures I have seen. I can't say I've been sold 100 percent yet either. I will definitely be playing it once its released, either in rental or buy form. I just have yet to decide which one of those it will be.
VonDante
KroKan
Posted 12:16 AM 4/6/08
WOW it looks georgeus. Reminds me of CryEngine 2.
Are these bullshots are do we have a new graphics engine that does it?
KroKan
eastx
Posted 12:07 AM 4/6/08
@VonDante: That's funny, because most of us see Rearmed as way more of a sure thing than the new game. Rearmed does absolutely everything someone could want in a remake, and the soundtrack is fantastic to boot. The new game is very pretty but - as the article mentions - hasn't completely come together yet.
eastx
monkeybeach
Posted 12:44 AM 4/6/08
@Northern Cat: BCR is way too big for Wiiware. They already had to cut a special deal with Microsoft to bypass the XBLA size limit, and Wiiware offers even less space, so...
monkeybeach
Mommar
Posted 12:38 AM 4/6/08
@Sugaray:
Serious? You won't buy the game because you don't like the guy's haircut? That has got to be one of the silliest reasons to not buy a game I've ever heard.
Mommar
Sugaray
Posted 12:23 AM 4/6/08
My main complaint about this game since the beginning and the one thing that will keep me from buying this game is the horrible character design.The dreadlock look HAS TO GO! I really don't plan on buying the $59 remake but will likely try the XBL remake of the original instead.It'll probably end up being better anyway and without the horrible new character design of the new retail game version.
Sugaray
NunianVonFuch
Posted 12:17 AM 4/6/08
@Michael McWhertor: What about the soundtrack? Does it have a similar retro vibe throughout? The only tracks available on the website are a slow version of the classic score and a gears-of-war-alike battle theme. The rest are from Bionic Commando:Rearmed (which are AWESOME).
NunianVonFuch
DugDawg
Posted 1:12 AM 4/6/08
I'm excited about this one -- even with the hotdogs and goofy dreadlocks.
DugDawg
okenny :)
Posted 1:01 AM 4/6/08
@KroKan: LOL... I don't think it comes even close though it does look good. They're not bullshots either though they are an improvement from the last batch. I like this games non-flat environmental concepts.
okenny :)
ubernocrono
Posted 1:35 AM 4/6/08
@DugDawg: Yeah Dreadlocks are goofy
ubernocrono
mphz
Posted 1:32 AM 4/6/08
Who cares about character design? Whatever you could come up with would probably look silly to people too... You never know. As far as I'm concerned, I don't mind the dreads and "hot dogs". Since the storyline has our boy Nate coming out of prison, the dreads are excusable and I may be the only person on the planet who didn't think "OMG WTF HOT DOGS?!" when his design was revealed.
Besides, we all know that the gameplay is what's important. Right? RIGHT?!
...I'll still be using that unlockable skin though. It's slightly more badass. >_>
mphz
Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc
Posted 1:44 AM 4/6/08
If hardcore fans would care more about Rearmed, then... Casual fans would care about the regular game! Wii version confirmed!
Glad I mastered the Hardcore/Casual dichotomy.
Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc
JohnnyLA
Posted 2:12 AM 4/6/08
I don't say this too often but this game has some beautiful color and lighting.
JohnnyLA
7ucky
Posted 2:51 AM 4/6/08
@AngryTankManMax: bigger question: how many times are we gonna hear that joke?
7ucky
Northern Cat
Posted 2:45 AM 4/6/08
@monkeybeach: Didn't think about that. Well then, screw the Wii.
Northern Cat
i1001101
Posted 3:17 AM 4/6/08
Just one thing. Dreadlocks don't wave in the breeze! Could game developers please get out of their cellars or whatever and study dreadlocks (and hair in general)? It's gotta be guite a stiff breeze for them to move att all. Wave-ing? Nu-uh.
i1001101
invictus
Posted 3:14 AM 4/6/08
If they make this anything like playing Q2 or Q3 multiplayer with grapple mods they have me hooked.
Damn I miss rocket jumping and grappling all over the CTF maps. Capture-Strike where have you gone?
invictus
GhaleonUnlimited
Posted 4:39 AM 4/6/08
I hope the press doesn't complain about the heightened control options just because it's harder than Zelda lock on, and Capcom dumbs it down.
GhaleonUnlimited
excaliburps
Posted 5:18 AM 4/6/08
@DugDawg:
Agreed! They did tone down the hotdog-ness of the arm in respect to them.
The dreadlocks? Eh? Is this supposed to be a marketing ploy or something? Or can his dreadlocks also be used as extra weapons or little arms that cling to the roof when he's holding something (that would be something now wouldn't it?)
excaliburps
Replica23
Posted 5:49 AM 4/6/08
Everything looks wicked, so as long Capcom gets all the mechanics down it's a definite buy. In a somewhat related point, the style and quality of graphics in the article shot should have been what GTA4 looked like; instead of the muddy, muted and blurry mess it actually is.
Replica23
icarusprime
Posted 5:37 AM 4/6/08
bionic commando ... GRIN ...
OHHHHH!!!! GRIN is the games devoloper!
Thanks McWhertor for writing as if we know every detail that you know about this upcoming game. ;)
icarusprime
hollowfreak
Posted 7:09 AM 4/6/08
I am definitely buying Bionic Commando Rearmed this on the other hand needs a demo or rental first.
hollowfreak
AngryTankManMax
Posted 7:26 AM 4/6/08
@7ucky: I'm serious I found the ending to be strangely gratifying
AngryTankManMax
jasongw
Posted 10:33 AM 4/6/08
Honestly, given the gameplay mechanic, this should have been a titled built for the Wii, not 360 and PS3. Yes, it'll be prettier on those systems, but the real bottom line is that the character's mechanic would align SO much better with the Wii Remote than with the PS3 or 360 analog sticks.
-1 for poor design choices.
jasongw
Thassodar
Posted 10:16 AM 4/6/08
I liked GunValkyrie, I got it for my birthday a number of years ago and actually took the time to beat it despite the horrible reviews it got. Quirky, yes, but really fun. One of the best looking Xbox games for its time too, much like Panzer Dragoon Orta.
Bionic Commando...I dunno. I may pick it up. Saving for a PS3 currently so I can get MGS4.
Thassodar
Jonn
Posted 11:04 AM 4/6/08
Wait, y'all got through an entire BC post without mentioning "hot dog arms"? Really?
Jonn
Perdew
Posted 3:42 PM 4/6/08
Oh god I think you accidentally condemned this game by mentioning Gun Valkyrie hahaha (RIP Smilebit, I still play Typing of the Dead daily with my girlfriend)
Perdew
dowingba
Posted 12:45 AM 8/6/08
@jasongw: But... like... why would it work better on the Wiimote? Shooting a grappling hook and swinging doesn't seem like it could possibly have any sort of logical motion associated with it. The best I can think of would be to aim using the pointer and then ...shake the remote to ... shoot, or something? It would be awful because of course shaking the remote throws off your aim...
Or are we supposed to stand and run across the room with the remote over our heads to emulate swinging across a chasm?
dowingba