Amazon.com Product Review
Bionic Commando is back, now on the Xbox 360, 20 years after the NES classic was initially released. And returning with it is the swinging bionic arm game mechanic that made it so popular and critically acclaimed. Bionic Commando makes the move to 3D, and gamers will be able to grapple, swing, and scale a giant environment filled with buildings, canyons, and more.
There are many creative uses for your bionic arm. View larger. |
Being able to swing and shoot is an essential skill. View larger. |
Freely explore Ascension City and its outskirts. View larger. |
Ten players can get it on the action at the same time. View larger. |
Nathan Spencer is Back Bionic Commando takes place 10 years after the 1988 game, with Nathan Spencer again the protagonist. Voiced by Mike Patton, ex-Faith No More singer, Spencer is betrayed by his government, falsely accused of murder and sentenced to execution. Just prior to his execution, however, the city is bombed and Spencer is asked to track down the terrorists in return for his freedom.
Bionic Arm Offers New Control Possibilities Like in the original game, the bionic arm is what separates Bionic Commando from other games. With it, you can swing between buildings, grapple onto ledges and zip up, walk walls, pull apart the landscape, throw heavy objects, attack enemies, and more.
Giant, Sweeping World to Explore As you swing around with your bionic arm, you'll be subjected to beautifully detailed scenery that ranges from Ascension City and its bridges and skyscrapers, to outdoor environments like canyons. By mastering different swinging techniques, players will be able to reach different areas and target enemies while mid-swing or even hanging upside down. If you misjudge your swing by even a little bit, you might find yourself plunging to your doom.
Swinging Multiplayer Fun for up to Ten Players Bionic Commando allows up to 10 players at a time to get in on the swinging fun, finding new ways and techniques with the bionic arm to dispatch your friends and enemies. Maps are designed with the swing and gun game mechanic in mind, rewarding players who are adept at simultaneously swinging and aiming.
Bionic Commando is an updated and beautiful take on the classic, bringing the core elements of the 8-bit original into a beautiful, 3D world. Fans of the classic and newcomers alike will delight at the unique game play options that the bionic arm afford.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(29 customer reviews) 16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
A Good Game with Fun Retro Tie-Ins for Old-School Gamers,
May 21, 2009 S. Hodgkinson "Box-Set Collector" (The Miami Valley, OH USA) - See all my reviews
= Fun: This review is from: Bionic Commando (Video Game)
I had been anticipating this release for quite some time. I saw a gameplay trailer for it almost two years ago and had been waiting anxiously for it ever since. I'm not disappointed, but some gamers might be.
There's a lot of ground to cover, so I'll try to be succinct.
Unfortunately, if you're not into this game for the nostalgia factor then you're probably going to grow tired of it somewhat quickly after you complete the story mode once or twice. The multiplayer may grab your fancy and keep you coming back, but if you're a CoD or GoW or Halo (later referred to as "The Big 3" in this same review) online player than likely you will find yourself putting your "drug of choice" back in when you need an MP fix.
If you played the original Bionic Commando for the Nintendo Entertainment System this game will have lots of retro flare for you (the Title screen music is the original title music from the NES game redone on piano) and many references to the 1988...Read more
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Good game, funky ending,
May 28, 2009 Steven L. Mcdonald "Bionic Tracker" (Vancouver, Wa) - See all my reviews
= Fun:
This review is from: Bionic Commando (Video Game)
It was a well put together game, I couldn't put it down. The story line about spencer's wife was a little far fetched. And I had expected more in the ending then there was. The bionic swing was probably my favorite thing in the game. My fav weapon, throwing stuff at my targets. The thing I would change would be the story line about the wife. (My wife is still confused about it). Look forward to a second one (Hint hint)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Much better than most reviews belie,
June 14, 2010 P. Madden "Gold Box Addict" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
= Fun: This review is from: Bionic Commando (Video Game)
I loved this game. I think a lot of people that gave this game negative reviews just did not get it.
I found the controls as good, if not better, than most Spider-Man games. And it is like playing Spider-Man with a weapon arsenal. It's just awesome to fling yourself off a high rise, falling, then at the last moment hitting your grappling arm to a light pole swinging up in the air, taking out your gun, firing at you enemies below, then before you even hit the ground throw your arm again into an enemy, fling him in the air and empty the last of your rounds into him.
There are great moments like this throughout the game. The environments are wonderfully built around the grappling mechanic, and surprisingly diverse, from destroyed cityscapes, to jungles, to vast underground caverns.
The one downside is the story. Utterly ridiculous.
