Review: Hellboy: The Science of Evil

Rated M for Xbox 360 and PS3

BEAT 'EM UP: Unlike the movies, Hellboy:Science of Evil is repetitive and boring.

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Developed by Australia's Krome Studios, this Hellboy adventure, released to coincide with the new Hollywood flick, begins promisingly.

The inimitable Ron Perlman delivers amusing quips, you can combine punches, throws, weapons and pistol fire to dispatch enemies, and there's a co-operative mode that lets friends join in the action, including faraway online buddies. But all-too-soon the game reveals itself to be a dull and repetitive brawler lacking imagination, originality and challenge.

Throughout the six chapters there is precious little variety, just a series of foes that can stomach an ever-increasing amount of damage before they are felled. Disappointingly, dispatching them rarely requires much more than button bashing, and Krome did not even bother with any defensive blocking moves.

The occasional puzzle can cause some head-scratching, but it's usually because the game is a little too vague on what you are supposed to be doing next. For example, players might get frustrated at being unable to locate another flaming spear to light yet another door-opened lantern, only to discover this time they should have been using flammable bullets instead.

Being able to equip Hellboy's trusty sidearm with a variety of different ammunition types works well, although bullets are usually scarce and reloading is slow so you cannot rely too much on firepower. You can also hurl items at foes, but it's not often worth bothering as pummeling them with your "Right Hand of Doom" is faster and more effective.

The nonsensical storyline, which has our demonic anti-hero travelling through areas such as forests, graveyards and castles in different eras, battling Nazi zombies and cyborg gorillas, also proves disappointing.

In the end, even the most fervent Hellboy devotee should probably steer clear and enjoy the likes of God of War, Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden instead.

- © Fairfax NZ News