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The Plot:  While I seemed to be largely alone in my opinion, I thought this past Summer's "Reign of Fire" was one of the better big-budget Summer pictures in recent memory, combining a "Mad Max"-style look with very impressive FX and good performances. When I heard that a video game was in development, I thought it was understandable, although I wondered if the developers - in this case, BAM! Entertainment - could pull it off. After playing the final game, the answer is yes and no - although unfortunately, more no than yes. Essentially, the main part of the story is still intact - it is some time in the future (I believe the movie was supposed to be 20 years in the future, although the trailers said it was 82 years off) and dragons have taken over the world. You and a band of fighters are one of the few remaining forces with the power to stand up to the beasts. The game should have been an easy success and part of it is an effective and occasionally even thrilling actioner. Essentially, your character takes off in one of a small group of vehicles completing various missions (stand guard over a busted helicopter, provide cover for engineers while the dragons sweep overhead, etc). Sure enough, battling at first against dragons was exciting. The entire base was aiming various weapons towards the skies and the dragons swoop in pretty low. Taking them down - the beasts land with a giant thump - is also a thrill. Unfortunately, it wasn't long into battle before I saw something scampering towards me. Yes, smaller land-based beasts that attack you like raptors from "Jurassic Park". These were not in the movie and are totally unnecessary. It's difficult enough to aim and fire at the dragons in the sky when you've got something bumping into you on the ground. Trying to keep an eye on both is needlessly frustrating and makes much of the game suffer. The missions are mixed; while some are fun, there are others that are tedious and, after a while, I just didn't find the game particularly compelling. The controls also aren't particularly fun. There's a truck that looks - and probably controls - a lot like the Mystery Machine van from the "Scooby Doo" series. Still, there are some scary moments - using the control to look back as your vehicle is scooting along to see the dragons following you at enormous speed and barely missing you is neat. There is also eventually the option to play as the dragon, but this doesn't work particularly well. It's also disapointing to find that this isn't an option available right away, as most of the promotion for the title seemed to indicate otherwise. All in all, a potentially good game that gets knocked down several steps by some bad choices and uninspired gameplay. Rating: 7/10 The DVD Graphics: "Reign of Fire"'s graphics are mediocre in some aspects and perfectly fine in others. That sort of post-apocalyptic wasteland look that the movie achieved so nicely is portrayed quite well here, with dark, ominous colors and generally, fine detail. Yet, there's just not always a whole lot outside the main base and even the base itself is rather sparse-looking in parts. The dragons are generally the best-looking part of the game; while the land-based creatures are primitive-looking and bland, some of the dragons that sweep in are pretty convincing and nicely rendered. Rating: 8/10 Sound: "Reign Of Fire" doesn't present a particularly thrilling audio experience. Weapon sounds are rather basic and only the sounds of the dragons landing on the ground really has any impact. None of the talent from the movie have lent their voices to game, although whoever voiced Matthew McConaughey's character sounds like the actor's voice, only less convincingly insane than McConaughey was in the movie. Rating: 7.9/10 Gameplay: The controls are one of the ways where "Reign of Fire" goes wrong. The vehicles - no matter which you choose - handle awkwardly and feel too sluggish when you're trying to outrun dragons. Attempts to try and focus on the dragons in the sky while smaller creatures are trying to smash into your vehicle on the ground is also incredibly irritating. Rating: 6.9/10 Rating Issues: "Reign Of Fire" is Rated "M" (Mature). Although there are some scenes of violence, the game isn't a whole lot more graphic than the PG-13 movie was. Final Thoughts: "Reign of Fire" could have been a terrific game if it had offered some better missions and left well-enough alone, offering just the dragons instead of land-based creatures. Graphics and audio are average, as well. Worth rental consideration, but no more than that. Or better yet, wait and rent the movie on 11/19. |