Co-Optimus - Review: Beyond Co-Op Reviews: June 2009

Beyond Co-Op Reviews: June 2009

Review System(s): XBox 360, Playstation 3, PC, Nintendo DS, PSP

Nicholas "bapenguin" Puleo Friday 26th of June 2009 08:53 AM

Bionic Commando
Loren "AgtFox" Halek
Grin - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

Bionic Commando is a game that will go largely unnoticed. This is backed up by the recent news that it only sold about 27k copies in May. That is in huge contrast to the remade NES original game that came out on XBLA, PSN and PC last year. Not sure what turned off people from this game outside of possibly the reviews out there.

The fact is this game is an example of one where the second half is far better than the first half. You will spend most of the first half getting the hang of the bionic arm and when to let go to propel yourself forward. You will also get frustrated by the sections where you have to swing from place to place, sometimes missing the next piece and having to start over from the beginning again. Once you get used to it and actually give the same some time, there’s a really good game underneath it all.

Nathan “R.A.D.” Spencer has been in jail since the events of the NES Bionic Commando. Bionic implants have been outlawed and Nathan is set to be executed for treason. A terrorist organization that is pro-bionic rises up and the military needs Nathan to stop them. Now, why Nathan would want to stop these guys who are for them I never understood, other than Nathan has the promise from the higher ups of finding out what happened to his wife Emily who left him.

The shooting and bionic arm mechanics are really well done and there are several set pieces in the game that really stand out. The game itself runs about 12 hours to beat, which is pretty long for an action game these days. The graphics are really nice and the music is an aural pleasure as you hear updated NES original songs as well as original music.

At least give this game a try. You may not like the ending much since it is kind of sick and betraying of the series as a whole (remember, this started out with the original Commando game).

Score:

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Tags: bionic commando beyond co-op infamous prototype indiana jones plants vs zombies knights in the nightmare

Reader Comments

pheriannath at 11:27 AM on 6.26.2009

Doh, when I was creating headers for this, I was under the impression that Jim was reviewing the Wii version of Staff of Kings.

WHOOPS

Mrxknown_JG at 02:08 PM on 6.26.2009

I think some of the reviews do miss things. I don't disagree with a particular review, but I do feel like some miss important parts.

bapenguin at 02:24 PM on 6.26.2009

The idea behind these aren't supposed to be the most in depth, detailed reviews. But rather a more top level approach.

Think of it like a review you'd read in a magazine that's half a page column.

txshurricane at 02:34 PM on 6.26.2009

Mike whoops! Actually, the Wii has co-op. The PSP version doesn't. Mrxknown this is my first Beyond Co-Op review...you really can't get too detailed when you're limited to a half page and scoring based on a three-score scale.

AgtFox at 04:43 PM on 6.26.2009

Yeah, if you want more in-depth reviews of Prototype and Bionic Commando, follow the link below the score to Colony of Gamers. Those are my elongated reviews, the Beyond Co-Op ones are supposed to be short.

AgtFox at 04:45 PM on 6.26.2009

Oh yeah, I didn't write the inFAMOUS piece here, but my full Colony of Games review for the game is here http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums ... php?t=9006

Mrxknown_JG at 10:35 AM on 6.27.2009

I think that's what i meant, can we vote on whether to lengthen the article with a choice of the writer to a minimum of half a page or more than half a page.

But the reviews are still good and do touch on the stuff people want to know. And I know this is all volunteer work, so I'm not demanding anything more.

bapenguin at 10:53 AM on 6.27.2009

No.

Mrxknown_JG at 12:33 PM on 6.27.2009

That's fine, the dictator...uhh kind leader has spoken

txshurricane at 08:26 PM on 6.27.2009

Some advice from a rehabilitating internet troll: that's not a path you want to start on, joking or not.

Mrxknown_JG at 12:34 PM on 6.28.2009

Nick knows I love him and this site. But I'll refrain from anything like that in the future.

txshurricane at 05:46 PM on 6.28.2009

I'm not speaking for Nick - it's obvious he's going to say what he needs to. I'm just giving you advice from someone who's been in those shoes.

Total Comments: 12

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