Deadpool is one of the funniest action platforms in recent memory. Sure, the game is far more hilarious if you’re familiar with Marvel’s Merc With the Mouth, but those unfamiliar with the mentally mega-fudged-up antihero can also enjoy his zany mannerisms, pranks and stupidity just the same.
If you don’t allow the hellacious array of dick and fart jokes to do you in.
Thing is, games like this are often clouded among the Call of Duties and the Bioshocks. Deadpool is a pure hack-and-slashing, button-mashing, hella good time. And, it’s basically Activision’s bastard red-headed stepchild of last year’s Amazing Spider-Man, which if you’ll remember at last year’s San Diego Comic Con, had their massive billboards tagged “by” Deadpool. It may even remind you of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade. But, all the sewer-venturing, coin-collecting, and pizza-munching is of little more than consequence…
Bahaha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WCcRRs3s6c
Deadpool, at his lightest, is a parody of a superhero; so, it’s not unexpected that High Moon would make a game that is a parody of all of the above. Even the diced-up drone ninjas blink before they dissipate into thin air. Elevator music plays during the weapon upgrade screen. And there’s a home base where you literally blow up dolls, watch comic montages on a ragged boob tube, and even cyber-stalk the unwilling over dial-up internet. This 3rd-person actioneer won’t set the world on fire — though some of ‘Pool’s antics may, literally! — but Deadpool himself certainly looks great (well, for a deformed, mutated ninja and all..) and packs everything you’d ever want in a Deadpool game…and then some, even at the risk of becoming too repetitive.
Again, it’s hack-and-slash. You don’t expect an open-world RPG with Deadpool, now, do you?
In addition to the (should-be-expected) over-the-top violent combat that could possibly only be rivaled by that of Saints Row, Wade Wilson often breaks the “fourth wall” with gamers. His schizophrenic blurbs and multiple-personality prankiness offers a slew of player lecturing in addition to criticism of the gaming studio’s standard procedures. These constant quips Wade has.. with himself.. help push the master assassin through hordes of ‘Pool clones, bulletproof jackoffs, Lady Shiva wannabees, and a couple of “Blockbuster” B-list villains.
Deadpool surprisingly challenges.
My major problem with the game is when the #fullretard #AmericanNinjaWarrior turns Nightcrawler. The most challenging battles in the game won’t be won without the lucky BAMF! Yup, the teleporting power that made our favorite demon deacon so damn irresistible. BAMFing if just not what Wade Wilson does. Sure, if aligned with a few gadgets from Weasel (the only character shockingly absent), then all that teleporting, phasing mumbo-jumbo would be possible. And, sure, I know the great Ultimate Marvel Alliance did the same thing. Just doesn’t make it right. Ass.
How do I know all this crap? Well, I obviously took the time to read a ton of Deadpool comics in my day, from the untouchable Joe Kelly run, to Fabien Nicieza’s excellent Deadpool & Cable (who actually lends a helping good HAND or two blasting down some of Mr. Sinister’s cronies), to Daniel Way’s recent run that began so hotly with Secret Invasion but never completely flourished. Thankfully, Way’s pop culture-riffs work superbly for this game, so much that you just never know when Deadpool will break out into musical.
LOOK AT THAT SPLATTER PATTERN!
“…I tell you, some forensic schmuck is gonna have a helluva time with that.”
Nolan “Nathan Drake” North reprises his Deadpool vocals from Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom, Shattered Dimensions, and Marvel Heroes, and argues himself to a perfected oblivion. In addition to the above quote, the menu screen itself has all the joy and wonder of Blood Dragon, Xbox Live Arcade’s intense 80s-flavored Far Cry 3 add-on (i.e. “Being attacked? Attack them to prevent them from attacking you!”). The stealth kills are also hysterical, when Mr. Wilson spews off a “later, dickhead” as he slides under the legs of an unfortunate asshole, dual pistols in tow.
The review namedrops continue like a rap song by The Game when Deadpool launches 80-200+ hit combos that would make Killer Instinct jealous, and special combos that toe off with a similar horn loop from the 60s “Batman”, or, more apropos, Austin Powers. The major issue with those Arkham-like finishers, however, is that the same button is also used for teleporting. Thus, combat can get clunky and ‘Pool will either get wasted or waste teleports — which can also become a clunky function, themself — instead of performing a gratuitous headchop.
Trying to gun down flying/floating enemies is also a bitch, since the lock-on targeting doesn’t always do the trick. And what’s with these asswipes having the same Storm-like powers?
For every awesome spunk of freshness the Transformers game devs throw at ya, such as the shout out to classic 8-bit side-scrollers like Castlevania and Contra, or the terrific trek through lady Death’s theme park, there are unfortunate technical issues like enemies getting sucked in between hilly rocks and ramps. (Though, I admit, since the enemies were particularly tough at the time — considering my lack of weapon upgrades — your favorite geek priest didn’t mind seeing them frozen…) Regardless, the good always outdoes the bad in Deadpool, but that’s if you love the bastard as much as I do.
THE SWEETEST HANGOVER
The Weapon X-serumed up Wade Wilson can’t get drunk, so there’s no point in drinking. No wonder Wolverine doesn’t want him around. But, Logan’s in the game, and so are some other X-Men. Although you don’t get to play as them, I’m thankful for Danny Way’s X-incorporation. It’s imperative we get to see Deadpool in a more meaningful light (such as witnessed in Uncanny X-Force), so throwing in Genosha was the right way to go — no matter how dull and droll of a place it is (and it’s not much more fun in the comics, either, kiddies).
It’s just too bad your super-healing ‘Pool can defeat even the toughest clones and harshest mutant island challenges with a simple run around or two until his energy bar fills back up.
Oy.
Irregardless of the game’s minor flaws and other Travis-Tee’s, Deadpool is an undeniable 6-8 hours of kick-ass fun. Fifty bones might be a little steep for a game you can beat in one evening — and perhaps never return to again, since the game is as linear as it gets, aside from the additional “challenge” mode.. which is.. meh — but it’s hard to imagine anyone making a better Deadpool for Deadpool.
Now, if they can only give that Ryan Reynolds flick the greenlight…
