KMGR of "Watchmen: the Movie Game"

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Glu got the license to make a tie-in game for "The Watchmen". Is it any good? Unfortunately, no. Basically, it's a 2D beat-em-up intermixed with a bit of 2D shooter like R-type, but much less complicated. It's also a prequel, that deals with the "heroes" before the Keene Act that banned them except those with Government sanction. And that simply doesn't give you the impact of the whole movie's portrayal of a world gone mad.

The game basically centered on two characters... Night Owl, and Comedian.

Night Owl is prowling the streets taking out thugs left and right with his trimerang, chasing after the boss known as "Big Figure", and so is Roscharch. The enemies are pretty simple... fist, small knife, big knife, pistol, and later, hammer. You can move up/down/left/right, but only melee attack left/right. You can throw your trimerang left or right for a long distance attack. You can go up against enemy for grab, and do throws. And finally, you can unleash a "super attack" using one of your "grenade" tokens.

Sometimes, Night Owl gets to take Archie (Archimedes), the airship, up against some sort of crazy boss in a helicopter. The chopper has rear-firing machineguns, so you need to dodge shots, while using you flamethrower to cook the enemy chopper. (Wait, flamethrower on an airship? That makes no sense, when it fires forward!) The flamer has limited fuel, so your flame tongue only lasts a few seconds, and you need to make the most of it. Later, the chopper gets escorts to make your life even more difficult.

You also get to go to Vietnam and fight as the Comedian, who's fighting a different version of Vietnam, a lot more hand-to-hand and less gunplay. However, there are plenty of landmines, and enemies are strong, some are armed with rocket launchers and AK-47s. Use throws and weapons to your advantage.

And really, that's the game. Night Owl and Roscharch caught Big Figure, but it isn't helping. Dr. Manhattan and Comedian helped clean up Vietnam (with Comedian doing most of the dirty work, like taking out a tank). The game ends with the Keene act being passed, outlawing Superhero Vigilantes, and most are glad to retire. And that's pretty much it. Yes, spoilers, but it's one of "lame" plots.

Thus, boring, boring, boring.

Overall rating: 5 out of 10
Pros: not a bad "game", though Comedian sections feels way too hard
Cons: doesn't feel very Watchmen-y.