Platform: GC, PC, PS2, XB, GBA
Genre: Action
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA UK
ETA: Summer 2004

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Batman, that sad, poor bastard, just hasn't had much luck the past decade or so. The movies went downhill after Tim Burton left the stage, and he hasn't had a good video game since the 1989 NES game. Given this bad turn of luck, it's only natural that the people at the top of the entertainment chain would examine one of his most interesting foes - Catwoman. Based on the movie starring Halle Berry coming out this summer, the self-titled game puts you in the paws of Patience Phillips, killed by the corporation she worked for but resurrected with the power of a feline. It's the usual revenge story, as you track down your killers and make them pay.

Taking elements from Castlevania and Prince of Persia, Catwoman can run along walls, dodge bullets and use her whip to not only attack but swing across chasms. In addition to a huge array of tools, you can utilize a "cat sense" to see in the dark, follow enemies' scents and predict their movements. There's also the usual bersek mode that lets Catwoman really 

sink her claws into bad guys with incredible ferocity, and an interactive environment you can use to defeat enemies indirectly. This all sounds like there's going to be more than the usual straightforward action fare.

Some of these aspects sound very familiar, but these mechanics have also served their games well, and putting them all together into one comprehensive package could create an excellent gaming experience. If it works out, Catwoman might actually be on the right track, and EA is the only company publish decent movie-to-game translations. Not only that, but the designers 

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boast that they have the "sexist game character ever", which is pretty much a virtual bitch slap in the face of Lara. Beating out Angel of Darkness wouldn't be too hard, but let's hope the designers aim a little higher and create the true Oxymoron of Oxymorons – a comic book/movie game worth playing.  

Features:

Big production values based on a summer movie.

A huge array of powers to stalk and kill enemies.

Everyone loves using whips.

Everyone loves ninjas too, with aerobatic manuevers and stealth gameplay.

Wacky leather outfit.

- Kurt Kalata

(March 18, 2004)