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We’re getting tired of movie games purely because of the repetition in our writing. How many times can you read “poor execution, shoddy controls, repetitive combat, simple game mechanics,” and actually consider it a fresh review? Probably the same amount of times we can write such comments; once too many. The latest blockbuster due the movie treatment is Konami’s Hellboy: The Science of Evil. As if Metal Gear Solid 4 failed to financially return. Movie games are traditionally handed to upcoming developer studios to balance the books, get some experience and ground the studio in the industry. They sell well, play average and critique abysmal. Krome are the creative minds behind the game and with titles along the lines of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (due on Wii Christmas 08), King Arthur (a canned title) and TY the Tasmanian Tiger 1, 2 and 3 it’s not looking that promising. Even so, it’s time to jump in to the Nazi ridden, undead infested world that is Hellboy and discover whether it’s hell on earth or a scientific breakthrough.

Hellboy: The Science of Evil is as simple as they come. With little explanation the player finds themselves in control of Hellboy, the burgundy giant who’s the bane of all things evil. Ripped muscles, skilled with a gun and intolerance to most, he’s the ultimate anti-hero. There are three accompanying characters that you get to play with as you attempt to battle wits with one of the most ridiculous villains we’ve seen in a game. Many games have Nazi’s but Hellboy: The Science of Evil has a Nazi head in a jar, ala Futurama. All of this is irrelevant; because when you get behind the controls you’ll skip the tiresome cut scenes and mash the buttons to the end.

Combat has the usual depth associated with movie-games. One button is mapped to a light, quick attack while another deals out heavy swipes in a sluggish manner. There are various rolls, jumping attacks and special moves, but the swarms of enemies that relentlessly spawn at you can be dispatched with hitting the same button over and over. Occasionally you’ll need to refill your health gauge, but that’s easily done by grappling an enemy and throwing / crushing him in the air. The game intersperses the fisticuffs with auto-aim pistol shooting which often one-shot-kills. There’s an abundance of ammo littered around each level which makes the game far too easy to pose any real challenge. Throw in loosely destructible environments with the option of makeshift weapons and you’ve got everything that could have been great, yet has turned into a simple grind through linear levels.

Dull textures, clipping issues, underwhelming cut scenes and static animation all combine to make a dreary snooze fest on your eyes. The engine looks obsolete and it relies on boring models to convey the characters. You’ll know who you’re looking at, but you’d rather not be. There’s kudos for the voice acting, but we’re not watching a movie, we’re playing a game.

A game that’s monotonous and repetitive. It’s a working game, yet it’s just old in its concepts. There’s no innovation or attempt to stray from the beaten path. It’s got 2 player co-op, but it’s hard enough to find someone with the game, let alone somebody who genuinely wants to play it with you. Another one for the sub-par pile. Buy it if you must, but make sure it’s for your grandson or son and not for you. Short review, short game.

Score: 4/10

(Xbox 360 version reviewed).

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