With Sega snatching up two huge movie licence deals this year, they are hoping to banish the perpetual label of ‘terrible’ that is permanently attached to game of this kind, and it’s looking impressive.

First up in May, IRON MAN.

The long standing hero of Marvel ™ fans around the world is finally (after too long, some would say) coming to the big screen, and with it, to our home consoles.  Screenshots have been slowly trickling into our greedy hands for months, and now we finally have a trailer to get excited about. Excited may be a little bit of an understatement. The game looks extraordinary, both the characters and environment leaving little to be desired, with a level of detail rarely seen in movie tie-ins.

The game is set to follow the movie’s narrative, but is also looking to introduce some of the hero’s other enemies. Specific details are yet to be released, but with a huge back catalogue of super baddies ready to be beaten down, you can guarantee that time has been taken to provide the player with the most enjoyable enemies possible. Big hitters like Fin Fang Foom and The Mandarin would make fantastic bosses, but Marvel™ may wish to keep these big-hitters for the inevitable movie sequels.

The combat system is looking first-class, with SEGA promising seamless transition between ground and open air combat. This could prove to be hugely enjoyable and is further boosted by another key feature of Tony Stark’s world: Power control. This feature has been much used in the comic books, and will be a definite feature of the movie. Power control is Iron Man’s ability to re-route power from one part of his armour to another at will, allowing boosts to be giving to flight boosters, repulsor weapons and shields individually. Here, along with the prospect of being able to customise the suit, is where the game can truly bring something fresh to the table. Not only will the action be relentless, but power control will add the need to make tactical decisions during combat. This could provide a decent amount of variety and individuality to the gaming experience, as each player will create their own strategies based around their own play style. Here’s hoping that SEGA can make the combat as enjoyable as it looks.

The publisher has also assured that the title will be open world, allowing the gamer to move around freely and interact with many elements of each area. Trailers show our Iron-clad hero tearing turrets from the ground and stopping fighter jets and missiles in mid-flight. If this level of interactivity and damage can be applied to the environment, and if the combat can deliver on its promises, then come May we could have a true gem sitting comfortably in our machines.

A month later, in June, THE INCREDIBLE HULK arrives. [ Read on ... ]