Another month, another game based on a movie <sarcasm> oh I love this job sometimes </sarcasm>. This time the game in question Monsters vs. Aliens, but does it manage to be one of the few games based on a movie that’s actually good or does it follow the others path straight into the “I will never play that again pile”? 

 

Monsters vs. Aliens follows three main characters, Ginormica, who grew to epic proportions after being hit by a meteor just as she was about to be married, The Missing Link and B.O.B, who is a rather strange looking blue blob. Given that this game has three characters to use, there is plenty of variety in the gameplay, meaning that at points this game can actually be quite fun to play, although be warned that it can get quite repetitive at times.

 

 

Throughout the game you will take control of all three characters at certain points, as Ginormica you will be roller-skating through various levels, all while negotiating jumps and freestyling on the walls while playing as The Missing Link sees you taking on the enemies while stringing together chain attacks which it has to be said is decent fun, however the best character is B.O.B who seems to have the best bits of both of the other characters. During B.O.B’s levels you with not only be required to complete objectives but you will also have to defeat the enemies using B.O.B’s amazing abilities, such as ingesting crates and then regurgitating them with devastating effect. B.O.B can also fire at enemies using bubble like bullets through his mouth, which also comes in handy when you are required to taking down generators.

 

The game will also allow you to take control of missile panels at certain points, this will see a crosshair appear on the screen, which you can then aim at enemies or anything else that you would like to destroy. There are numerous points in the game where you will be working with the crosshair, such as when B.O.B is taking out targets, however as you can imagine it isn’t really that difficult.

 

One of my main annoyances with Monsters vs. Aliens is the loading times, for a game that you wouldn’t really think would push the system too much, you don’t half have to wait around a lot to get to the next mission. Another annoyance is that although the game can be quite fun at the beginning, you always seem to end up doing the same things over again later in the game, which does become quite tedious if I am being honest.

 

Monster vs. Aliens also includes a DNA lab, this allows you to see clips from the movie, play mini games and upgrade your weapons. It seems to me that most people would probably not be interested in watching movie clips, however some of the mini games are decent enough fun while having the ability to upgrade your weapons and characters is always something that comes in handy.

 

 

Graphically the game is pretty solid, the characters are well presented as are the various environments you will play in. The cutscenes are also more than decent with the voice acting especially standing out.

 

Overall Monsters vs. Aliens is a fairly decent attempt at a movie tie in and for the cash it will keep your children busy for quite a few hours. Who knows maybe the tide is starting to turn for movie based games, though we won’t hold our breath.