Positive
+ Deadpool’s personality and running commentary are awesome
+ Some good looking visuals, especially Deadpool’s character
Negative
- PC controls are uncomfortable
- Human characters’ looks are laughable
- Generic and bland enemy types
There is one reason you should play Activision’s Deadpool game; and that’s because Deadpool is the main protagonist. This sickeningly crass and amusing fellow is one of Marvel’s overlooked superhero, yet one of its most bizarre and laugh-out-loud funny. This simple beat-‘em-up brilliantly captures his mischievous attitude and running commentary to an impressive level despite the game lacking a bit in everything else.
Deadpool wants to make a game starring him. Easier said than done for most, but for Deadpool, that isn’t the case. Screw following the written script, where the budget is, and where the funds go are a mystery. After losing his contract to Sinister, Deadpool meets the X-Men (which are no help at all) and in a hilarious, original adventure, Deadpool will stop him. Know that the story is quite funny and in some moments unpredictable, especially seeing Deadpool slapping Wolverine and Deadpool constantly running jokes and breaking the 4th wall. His presence is the biggest reason to play this game, and the developer did a good job in keeping the cynical hero’s personality all around. Also the game probably would have had the worst ending ever, but since its Deadpool, its acceptable <_<
Gameplay in Deadpool (the game) is a simplistic beat-‘em-up; nothing complex, particularly good nor bad. It feels like a PS2 era game similar to how Spiderman: Friend or Foe was, or something between the lines. What keeps the action weak is how the PC keyboard controls are. You move with WASD buttons, and slash with the Q and E buttons, teleport with the B button, and then there are the shooting controls, consisting of mouse control and LMB to shoot and the RMB to zoom in for better aiming. The keyboard controls are uncomfortable and most of the time you’d have to go without certain buttons, or map them on different buttons.
The upgrade system allows you to upgrade Deadpool’s small range of weapons with coins you earn from killing baddies. The pistol is a cool weapon, but it lacks oomph compared to the fast rattling machinegun for example. Each gun and sword can be upgraded, alongside some of Deadpool’s stats. Aside from meeting maybe a few familiar Marvel characters, the common enemies are too unvaried and generic and frequently outnumber you to elevate the combat’s difficulty. There are some platforming sections which aren’t bad. Simplistic enough, with the saving grace of the B (teleport) button in case you mistime a jump. There are some occasional diversion from the usual dull combat, such as an old-school segment, and a short 2D platforming part. Then there are the few boss battles, which are extremely one-dimensional with the most effective strategy being shooting at the boss instead of risking close-quarter combat. In case of Block Buster, you can use the B as counter and when he’s stunned, you button-mash to oblivion! Then run for your life till another chance and make sure you keep your distance if health it low! Even the last two bosses are unentertaining drags… But it isn’t a game about combat, it’s about Deadpool and his encounters, with Death for example, or constantly talking to himself and pulling jokes on everyone and everything, it lets you forgive the gameplay’s missteps. Seriously, at times I found myself struggling to endure the gameplay (especially near the end) in order to get more out of Deadpool.
Deadpool’s suit and character design is impeccable, and that’s most certainly the best looking thing in the game. The backgrounds often look generic and lack creativity, but decently designed but the common enemies have repetitive designs. Areas consist of sewers, restrictedly closed areas, and a concrete jungle, with some other better areas later on. Not to start on the human characters, which look quite poor unfortunately, both in cutscenes and in gameplay. Soundtrack is average with some unmemorable tunes to serve as music, but it has some pretty solid voice acting, especially of course Deadpool’s voice acting is superb.
What we have here is quite an odd game. Never before I had seen or played a game with such a cynical, but hugely entertaining protagonist that made it easier and easier to force through the not-as-good gameplay in favour of a few good jokes and laughs. Like other fellow superheroes game, Deadpool is stuck to mostly those familiar with the source, which is a shame because Deadpool the game is a crass, brilliant psycho maniac.
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Graphics = 7.1
It looks good but nothing special at all. Deadpool’s suit looks impressive enough, in turn; the human character models aren’t so good
Sound = 8.4
Generic soundtrack all round, but give a round to Nolan North for his superb performance as Deadpool!
Presentation = 7.6
Constantly flowing comments are hilarious and one of the things that will keep you going. Not much in the way of secret areas or unlockables though.
Gameplay = 6.0
Mundane, occasionally frustrating combat that screams generic. Upgrade system is a nice addition. The game always surrounds you with handfuls of enemies, and in the end, it becomes irritating. Even Deadpool complains about there being too many of Sinister’s clones. The AI is okay. Keyboard not adequate, try gamepad.
Story = 8.1
Deadpool creating his own story after tearing up his script. Continuously breaking the no non-existent 4th wall, running jokes and some occasional adult joke, Deadpool is brilliant in what he does.
Recommendation Level = Medium Low
Ok, here’s the thing. Don’t bother playing the game for the gameplay. Secondly, I wasn’t a Deadpool fan, or am I Marvel fan, at all. But Deadpool was different than generic, good old superheroes. His personality is outstandingly bizarre and unique. So you don’t need to be a fan.
Level of Difficulty = Medium
Challenging was coming from always having multiple enemies surrounding me rather than a few tough enemies to fight. The keyboard wasn’t making things easier.
OVERALL = 73 / 100
Deadpool’s combat may be mindless, but so is its star, but the latter, in a very good way.