Gamezone
I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to video games based on movies that my expectations are lower than with other games.
So, when a game like "Iron Man" doesn't suck, I have to resist the temptation to rate the game higher than I would if it weren't based on a film. "Iron Man" goes for the gold, but earns silver.
(Courtesy)
Reviewed for: 360; also available for DS, PC, PS2, PS3 and Wii Price: $59.99
From: Sega
Rated: T for mild language and violence
Thankfully, Sega avoids the mistakes of the "Hulk" game from a few years ago that had you planning half the game as Bruce Banner. Your game time as Tony Stark outside of the red metallic suit is thankfully limited.
Graphically, it's probably a good thing that your time outside of the suit is limited. Characters only have a vague resemblance to their on-screen counterparts.
I haven't seen the film as of yet, so I can only assume it follows the plot of the film. You begin the game as Stark, being held against your will by terrorists in a cave in Afghanistan. Since Stark is a genius when it comes to designing weapons, they are trying to force you to build a weapon for them.
Instead, you build a bulky piece of armor that will become the prototype for the Iron Man suit you'll don later.
Your escape is essentially a training mission of the basic skills you'll need throughout the game (shooing, punching, etc.).
My learning curve on flying was another matter altogether. I'm not sure if its a problem with the controls or just that I always seem to have problems with any game requiring flying, but it took me a while to master the flight skills.
Once mastered, it was worth it, though. You can shoot at planes with your repulsor blasts or, and this was my preferred method of taking anything flying down, grab ahold of it and send it hurling towards the ground.
In terms of level objectives, the game hardly breaks new ground. Go to x and destroy y, etc. You do have some freedom as to how you achieve the objectives, though. Like Activision's games based on the "Spider-Man"films, you seem to have a lot of latitude. You can fly over the city or land and walk around if you want.
You also have some flexibility with regard to how you use the suit's powers. You can re-route energy using the controller's D-pad from weapons to life support if you're taking a lot of hits and need to heal quickly, for instance. It adds a element of strategic thinking not usually found in action games.
