Title: Wanted: Weapons of Fate
Genre: 3 person shooter
Developer: Grin
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Platform: PS3
Rating: M (Mature)
Website: http://thewanted.warnerbros.com/
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Spawned from a critically acclaimed comic book miniseries, the movie Wanted was an exercise in over-the-top violence and action movie clichés. The game, which could have acted as a bridge between the mythology of the comic and film, crashes in slow motion into an already crowded heap of mediocre movie-licensed games. But with so much source material ripe for an outstanding shooting game, why shouldn’t this title come together beautifully? The answer lies somewhere in production. Any project, if given enough time, thought and care will usually surpass expectations. Sadly, every aspect of Wanted: Weapons of Fate feels rushed without a single original thought in its head.
The graphics suffer from a case of multiple personalities. Some effects like water, lighting and animation look on par with some of the more sophisticated titles released this year while others such as character models, foliage and textures are atrocious. In game movies are noticeably grainy and washed out as if someone were broadcasting the game through a web cam, but FMV sequences are crystal clear and vibrant. The design for the assassin’s super suit embodies a superhero casual look. It is like a cross between the Helghast from Killzone and the biker gang from GTA IV: The Lost and the Damned yet it still looks generic.
Not surprising, the sound design is the game’s best strength. The movie had an award winning score and that talent has found its way into the auditory presentation of the game. The music stands out in a good way with guitar riffs coinciding with adrenaline infused mayhem. The game’s publisher Warner Bros. has an outstanding reputation for providing high caliber sound for its games and Wanted benefits greatly because of it. Voice acting and sound effects are true to their film heritage and sound impressive despite what is happening or is being said.
It is important to emphasize that this is not a full prequel or sequel to the movie. Instead the game is a companion piece that simply makes no sense if you have not watched the movie. As a stand alone game, the story is full of holes while the timeline is confusing as hell. Most people, however, will not be playing Wanted for its story.
The game play is a faster, less fun version of the Gears of War mold. Most structures can be used as cover as you slither through your surroundings. In some awkward cases, you end up latching onto nothing and get shot until you realize that the wall you are closest to is not cover for some reason. There are only two weapons available to use if you do not count the sniping and mounted gun sequences. You will use the pistol or dual wield machine pistols, but you do not get access to both until the second from the last level. The game lets you use enemies as human shields and you even find yourself in a chainsaw duel or two—except you are not using chainsaws but small daggers which is a little lame by comparison. In short, the majority of the game play mechanics are a poor man’s Gears of War.
Aspects not like Gears of War are lifted from games like Max Payne. Slow motion bullet time is an overpowered boss killer. There are also slow motion events that play out like a shooting gallery except you can die easily and have to play through the same scenes again and again. Some techniques that you “earn” throughout the course of the game are implemented once and never really used beyond that—not because they are difficult to execute but because most of the time running up to an enemy and melee attacking get the same if not better results. And you will experience much running and slashing throughout the anemic six hour long campaign.
Finally, Wanted feels like a jigsaw puzzle assembled with good intentions but without any sign of originality or even novelty. Phenomenal sound design aside, the overall game offers nothing compelling. The repetition will bore most shooter fans while the game play will remind people of other much more rewarding games they could be playing.
Overall Rating: * * / 5
M. Michael Chwedyk "The Gamekok"- MuzikReviews.com Sr. Video Game Reviewer
March 30, 2009
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