The Bionic Commando name started all the way back in 1987 with a Capcom arcade game called Bionic Commandos. After the arcade game’s popularity, an updated version called Bionic Commando was released for the NES was released in 1988. Since then, there have been two games for GameBoy and in 2008, a revamped version of the original game, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, was released for XBLA, PSN and Windows. This newest installment is a direct sequel to the original NES game, including several of the original characters. Though this game conjures up a great deal of nostalgia for many of us who remember the NES game, it struggles in places and fails to become another classic in the Bionic Commando series.
The progression of Nathan Spencer from 1987 to 2009.
Story
In the spirit of so many other games based on World War II lore, the original BIonic Commando game for NES was based mainly on modern Nazis and their shenanigans. A group of Nazis, commonly called the Imperials, developed a master plan that involved resurrecting Adolf Hitler so that he could lead them all to world domination. Though the American and European versions of the game were heavily censored to remove any direct naming of the adversaries as Nazis or Hitler, the Nazi references were kind of hard to miss. The plot of the game was to (as Nathan Spencer) go rescue Super Joe, a non-bionic commando sent behind enemy lines that had been captured. Needless to say, at the end of the game, the Nazis were defeated, Hitler was killed, Super Joe was rescued and Spencer was the big hero.
The modernized version of Spencer.
The story of the 2009 game picks up ten years after the events of the NES game, and things have drastically changed for our fearless hero. Some point along the line, public opinion on the bionic soldiers changed greatly, and most people began to fear them as a threat. Since public opinion rules everything, a “bionic purge” was initiated and most bionic units were decommissioned. Spencer himself was betrayed by the government, unjustly imprisoned and stripped of his bionic arm. While he’s on death row awaiting execution for treason, an atomic-based experimental weapon is dropped on Ascension City, killing its entire population and causing catastrophic damage. Responsibility is claimed by a pro-bionic terrorist group called BioReign. Re-enter Super Joe, who convinces the military that Spencer is the guy to send in to deal with it, so Spencer is released, given back his bionic arm, and dropped right into the middle of the chaos, and the story goes from there. Overall, the story is pretty interesting and fairly satisfying. There are some decent plot twists, some of which are obvious from a mile away, some of which are well-hidden, though the ending may be somewhat unsatisfying for some.
Gameplay
Bionic Commando is basically a third-person shooter, but it’s based mostly on use of the bionic arm as both a mode of transportation and weapon. However, the more useful bionic attacks must be unlocked as the game progresses, so the guns are definitely useful in the early levels. There is an omni-present pistol from the get-go, and other, more powerful weapons, such as sniper rifles and grenade launchers, can be picked up from drop-pods that come along the way. Most of the game can be played fairly easily without the use of guns, though sometimes a sniper rifle is very appreciated, and in those situations, you won’t have to look far to find one. There is, however, an entire boss battle based on surface-to-air missiles, so there are situations where the guns are necessary.
Using the bionic arm as a weapon is exceedingly satisfying.
The most fun is certainly to be had by using the bionic arm. Various arm skills are unlocked throughout gameplay, and eventually you will be able to pick up and throw cars and boulders at your enemies. Or, if you’re feeling particularly vindictive, you can pick up the enemies themselves and wing them at other enemies. Movement throughout the game is based also on swinging and climbing using the bionic arm, and there are always structures provided to swing from or climb on. Like most games based on intricate movement, you will feel like a total klutz to start off, but after a little while, you’ll be stringing together intricate combos through the city. The progression of the game tries to stay a little true to the NES style with a few boss battles scattered about. At first glance, the game seems like a sandbox-style game with free movement throughout the city environment, but sadly it’s actually quite linear. When attempting to explore, you will either encounter radiation or water blocking your way if you deviate too far from the path. Oh, a very important thing to note: Spencer cannot swim. Though this seems like a logical thing, what with the huge metal arm and all making him sink, it is made incredibly annoying by the fact that it takes only about 10 seconds for Spencer to drown.
One of the bosses faced along the way.
So, if you fall in the water, you better be able to grab something quickly or you’re done. Also, sometimes events are initiated by killing a specific group of enemies, and if you go and explore looking for the many hidden collectibles throughout, you may miss that group and be faced with backtracking until you find them. The physics are typically very good, which is to be expected in a game with the locomotion based on swinging. The enemies are not the smartest and some of their movements are a little awkward, but not to the point of annoyance. Overall, the gameplay is pretty smooth and entertaining, but it gets a little monotonous after a while, and the boss battles fail to provide any serious challenge.
This is one of the fun parts.
Visuals
The animation is generally very good throughout the game. The environments are are thoroughly made and generally very seamless, especially in the ruined city. Upon close examination, some of the objects that are around look somewhat rough, but generally things are pretty crisp. The enemies are fairly standard-looking, and sometimes they react oddly to actions, but Spencer himself is wonderfully animated. Overall, the graphics are not a standout, but they are acceptable for a next-gen game.
Audio
The music in Bionic Commando is pretty good, but will not be winning any awards any time soon. It usually fits the situation, and at the very least, is not distracting from the game and the sound effects are all very good. Spencer is voiced by Faith No More lead singer Mike Patton, who does a decent job as the sarcastic, disillusioned soldier, and the always excellent Steve Blum voices Super Joe. The script is okay, but some of it is very juvenile. Spencer in particular has an especially potent dialogue, and the game earns is Mature rating from cussing alone.
Multiplayer
There are three standard modes of online multiplayer that are available, which are Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag, all for up to eight people. There are a decent number of maps and it’s fun enough, but I’m not sure it will ever be one of those really popular, persistent multiplayer games.
Lifespan
Bionic Commando on single player is really only good for one legitimate play-through, which is about 10 hours. Even the highest setting of difficulty does not prove to be a significant challenge. If you are an achievement freak, there are plenty of collectibles that can be found, and you may want to go back for all of them. It remains to be seen whether or not the multiplayer will become popular, so it may or may not extend the life of the game.
Even with the arm, guns are still good fun.
Recommendation
Overall, Bionic Commando fails to live up to the expectations of its name. Though the gameplay is entertaining, it’s kind of one-note and gets old after a little while. The story is interesting, but you’ll really only get maybe 10 good hours max out of the single player, and the multiplayer is really not buzzing yet. Though the game is fun, unless you want to buy it out of nostalgia, this may be one that is better rented.
Bionic Commando
System: Xbox 360
Developer: GRIN
Publisher: Capcom
Find: Amazon, Gamefly, Goozex
All reviews are based on final retail code unless otherwise noted.
