While it has that "hack n slash buttonmasher" feel to it sometimes, this is still a pretty solid title
Quite often all you get with this sort of title is a cheap, simple, generic game. And while "origins" follows the pretty standard "linear platformer" formula that most superhero games tend to follow, it is far from boring.
I honestly expected a few cheap gimmicks thrown in to make it seem "x-menish" while simply taking a simple all purpose hacknslash formula and stamping wolverine on the cover (as most license games tend to do)
To a degree, that is exactly what they did. It uses the standard "fast attack, power attack, ranged attack, block" system that most melee based games tend to go for.
This game however is hardly a buttonmasher. Wolverine handle very intuitively. Often a major frustration of mine is games with preprogrammed combos that once set into motion cannot be stopped. What I like about origins is that it keeps everything short and sweet, while giving you near complete control.
That being said there are the few cases where you get the inescapable "super-spinning combo of doom followed by a lunge into the air with a spinning piledriver to finish off a simple grunt" moments...
overall the game plays alot smoother and smarter than most hacknslashers out there but in the end still proudly displays its buttonmashing roots
One thing I think they could have done better with this one is make the movements more "authentic". I don't recall ever seeing wolverine spin around 5 times with lightup claws before... alas this is just one of those "hacknslash button masher" things that you gotta deal with.
Now onto the graphics.
Once again for a license title, I was pleasantly surprised!
The graphics are quite nice. Most licensed titles tend to use fairly outdated engines that look like they belong 5-10 years ago.
Origins however fits nicely in with most recent titles.
One thing that really stood out for me was the damage system. You can actually SEE each wound wolverine suffers. Usually I see dynamic damage systems that seem very rigid and preprogramed (i.e. the door to a car smashing the same way over and over)
Origins however does it quite well. A shotgun blast to the gut actually makes a nice big hole (complete with exposed ribs and everything) right where to took the hit! Small bullets make small holes, arms lose skin, etc.
Overall the graphics impressed me. Not in the way that it jumped out at me and wowed me, but in the way that helped with the overall experience of playing.
Now a quick warning to those of you out there who are a bit sensitive.
Origins is really not for everybody in terms of violence. I was personally quite shocked (though not displeased haha) when I first saw good ol' wolverine jam his claws through someones head, or cut some guy in half...
I suppose when you think about it, what else would you expect from a guy with huge claws?
What I am trying to say is if you found the movies violent, then you will find this game to be brutal... steer clear
So with all that out of the way I would say that this is about as close as they are ever gonna get to the perfect WOLVERINE game. It just feels right.
All in all I would say that it is one of the best movie license games I have played in a LONG time.
PS. as with any movie license title, it follows the films storyline. So if you hate spoilers you may want to hold off until you see the film before you pick this one up