X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition - review
Available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Developer: Raven Software
Official Website: www.uncaged.com

Game Details from Activision Blizzard:
“Weaving in and out of the movie’s storyline, the epic cinematic experience features action-packed missions set in real-world locales and challenges players to hone their animal instinct as they uncover hidden dangers, hunt and destroy enemies and discover the truth about Wolverine’s relationship with Colonel Stryker and Sabretooth.”

Review Summary:
If you like your games violent, fun, and only worth one play through, then X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Uncaged Edition is exactly what you are looking for. The game is a ton of fun, but doesn’t last long enough and doesn’t warrant multiple play-throughs to be worth the full sixty dollar price tag. Even with a ton of jaw dropping moments and gorgeous graphics, I would have expected more from Wolverine and Raven Software. Hacking and slashing your way through about a 6-8 hour game is fun, but overall an average experience. Either wait for the price to come down or rent it and you'll enjoy it, while still getting your money’s worth.


Rating: 3 out of 5

Read the full review below.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition review:

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition follows a convoluted story surrounding Logan, aka Wolverine, over several differing time periods and places. The insane violence and graphical fidelity help mask a linear third person action game that has heavily borrowed from other games in the same genre. Although it does stray from the movie plotline, the whole experience still feels like a game based on a movie property. Raven Software developed a great looking and fun title, even though the story and characters seem a little dry. The plethora of moves, power-ups and hidden items keep this game fresh throughout the 6-8 hour quest. But once it's done, it's done and doesn't really warrant a second run through the game, unless your need for Achievements (or Trophies) is unquenchable.

Gameplay:
This game is one of the first that actually has a reason for a regenerative health system, which is necessary because of the shear amount of enemies you have to mow down during each battle. As Wolverine, you have your fair share of slashes and lunges that can decapitate and dismember enemies with ease. On the Normal difficulty, the only likely reason you'll die is because of a missed jump or untimely rocket/shotgun blast while doing so. While smashing the "X" button, you occasionally have to use one of four power-ups. The only one you have to worry about is Feral Sense, which guides you on where to go next (think of the golden dust in Fable II). The other power is the Berserker power, which increases the damage done with your claws. Other than that, the combat system can be as deep as you want it to be.

There is basically only a hand full of enemy types, all of whom are re-skinned depending on your time or location in the story. It may seem like the dudes are different, but it could have just been a way for Raven to save some time during their tight (movie game) development cycle. The one downfall to the gameplay is the super repetitive mini-bosses that are usually generic and have no need to be in the story, but are used as a distraction. The boss fights feature some memorable characters, but are few and far between. I wished more enemies were used, but the ones in there were executed very well except for the final battle, which I will not spoil. Although the gameplay is not the most memorable, it doesn't hurt the game like some of the previous X-men movie games. I still have nightmares about them.

What helps differentiate Wolverine this time around is the upgrade system. You can upgrade your various attacks, health regeneration, and unlock more abilities. It is very easy to level up due to the fact that you get experience points from each kill and collecting dog tags hidden throughout each environment. At the end of the final chapter, I was about level 30 and didn't even concentrate on leveling up. I could definitely see a difference from level one to level thirty. It is not required, but I mostly filled up the health related points just to stay alive. Wolverine also has three "buff" slots for some customization for your character. These are less important than your skill points, but are fun to search for in each level.

With five chapters in the entire game, it may seem like this title is short and sweet, but it took me a good 7 hours to complete it. It takes you from the Jungles of Africa, back to Alkali Lack, to a disappointing battle with a sentinel. These are very differing places, but the same mechanics are involved, just like in most games in the genre. This is all too familiar; you go from battle arena, to puzzle, to mini-boss, to more arenas, a puzzle, and then a boss fight. Raven was able to improve this pacing by including flash backs to and from the African incident that lead Wolverine on his quest for revenge against his brother Sabertooth.

The most satisfying part of your adventure, surprisingly, is the quick time events. These include some very gory moments in which Wolverine is the exact opposite of his PG-13 self, as portrayed in the films. In one of the earlier levels, Wolverine has to lunge a huge distance to a helicopter, beat it to a smoking mess of a machine, punch through the windshield, pull the pilot out and force him up through the spinning blades. My jaw almost hit the floor, and there are at least two of these moments over the course of each chapter of the game. This is what a Wolverine based game should have always been. I applaud you Raven Software for having the guts to submit some of this stuff to the ESRB. I just can't imagine what you guys could have come up with, which may have been cut to make it an M-rating.

Graphics:
The engine in which this game was built is stunning, period. This is where the game truly shines and is far better than any other superhero based game I have played this generation. From the opening cut scene,to the closing one, the animation, effects, in-game and non-engine cutscenes are all executed very well. I would just fire up the game to watch all the cut scenes. They are that awesome. Although, some of the clipping and collision detections bugs are very noticeable during some of the platforming sections and could have used some more time to iron out. It was this part alone that made me giddy for more from the folks at Raven Software because of their great artistic work and vision. You could definitely tell that they have some masters of the Unreal Engine 3 and they need to be recognized. Even if you aren't going to buy the game, look up the cutscenes and watch in awe, seriously. If you think the visuals are good, the environments can seem a little bland, but that is the only complaint I have about that part of the graphics.

Online Capabilities:
Unfortunately there are no online modes or anything of the sort, but there is some highly overpriced DLC you can download for 800 Microsoft Points ($10) or ten bucks on the PlayStation Network.

Conclusion:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Uncaged Edition is a romp across gorgeous environments with a bunch of jaw dropping moments. The pacing slows down toward the end, but it still looks amazing throughout. I would have liked to see more inclusion of memorable characters from the rich and lush history of Wolverine. If you are in the mood for an action game that is overly violent (in a good way) and doesn't require that much thought, then this is definitely a rental. Hardcore fans of X-men may purchase this game, but only play through it once. I enjoyed myself playing Wolverine, but I can't recommend a purchase at the sixty dollar price tag.