
	Platform PS3, Xbox 360 Genre Action Publisher Capcom Developer Grin ETA May 19, 2009
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Bionic Commando

Bionic Commando is a game that hasn’t gotten the attention that it deserves over the years. Sure, it made an appearance on the Gameboy Color years ago, and saw an enhanced version hit PSN and XBLA, but it’s surprising that Capcom hasn’t done more to keep the series alive and kicking over the years. It’s only now that we’re finally seeing the dust get blown off it as the franchise gets an honest to goodness sequel on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Taking place 10 years after the events of the original game, players take control of Nathan Spencer once again (that’s the name Capcom decided to go with this time despite all the name changes the main character has had over the years). Since this time, Nathan has been imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, and slated for execution. Luckily for Mr. Spencer, on the day of his execution Ascension City is hit by a massive explosion, and the powers that be decide to send him in to see what happened instead of killing him.

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As one would expect, there will be a lot of swinging around in this game just like the original. This time around it looks like players will have a lot more things that their bionic claw can cling onto while soaring through the various levels. Figuring out what the claw will actually be able to stick to is straightforward enough, as players

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control a reticule on the screen that reacts to the surfaces it passes over, and will notify players when it’s on top of something that the claw can grab. Nathan’s bionic arm will also be used for more than just swinging around this time around. Among the new abilities that will be at players’ disposal, he will be able to grab onto large objects and throw them.

Looking at the visuals in this game compared to the 8-bit original, obviously things have come a long, long way. What is nice about the presentation thus far in this new Bionic Commando is that while the game has a highly realistic flair to it, there are also some very fantastical qualities to it in how many of the enemies are designed. It’s almost comic book-like how some of the more cybernetic enemies appear (that’s a good thing). Even Nathan has been well-modernized for this game, as a disheveled, older version of himself that genuinely looks like he just got out of prison.

It really is a shame that it has taken so long for someone to come along and make a new Bionic Commando game. There was so much to like about the original that a series of sequels seemed like a done deal. At least we’re finally getting one, though.

Mr. Nash

March 29, 2009