Deadpool - Xbox 360

Jumping Headfirst Into The Deadpool

2013-05-07T16:08:00Z

Deadpool is a comic character with a loyal and passionate fan base. Those who love him have likely already paid off their preorders for High Moon’s upcoming game adaptation. Unfortunately, an even greater number of people don’t know anything about Marvel’s insane Merc with a Mouth. Thankfully, after playing a nearly finished version of the game we walked away with the impression that Deadpool could appeal to any gamer who loves the intense combat of DMC or the crass humor of South Park.

Approximately three-fourths of the way through the main story, Deadpool makes his way to Genosha, a South African island-nation that was once a mutant utopia and is now a post-apocalyptic wasteland. In Genosha, Deadpool runs into Cable. Whenever Deadpool encounters another popular character from the Marvel universe, a prompt appears onscreen offering more information about that character’s history. Players unfamiliar with Marvel lore may find this feature extremely helpful, but even comic fans might want to make use of it, as Deadpool breaks into an amusing song that explains his history with that character.

Cable has time-traveled from the future to bring Deadpool a dire warning. Mr. Sinister has knocked out the X-Men, and the entire world depends on…something that players will never know, because as Cable continues his explanation of the plot Deadpool’s internal monologue continually interrupts to complain about how this conversation bores him. Deadpool doesn’t need a deeper explanation, as he is still sore at Mr. Sinister over a botched assassination. Earlier in the game, the villain stepped in and killed one of Deadpool’s contracts before he was able to eliminate his target. Therefore, when Deadpool learns that Sinister is on Genosha, he rushes off to settle the score.

Deadpool wades through a lot of minions along the way. Fortunately, his gun-fu is strong. He has access to a wide array of sword combos and ranged weapon attacks. As he tears through his opponents, he acquires DP points that can be used to purchase other guns – such as shotguns and rifles – and new melee weapons like dual sai or a pair of slow but deadly hammers. The action is fast and fluid, and I had a lot of fun switching between Deadpool’s various guns and melee weapons on the fly. A quick tap of the dodge button activates Deadpool’s teleporter, which helps him close the gap on opponents or get out of a hot zone in a blink.

During combat, Deadpool also has four special attack bars, called momentum meters, that slowly charge. Once any one of these meters is full, Deadpool can unleash a larger room-clearing attack that changes depending on the weapon he uses. For example, a move called the Equalizer has Deadpool draw two uzis and perform a spinning attack like a move from Underworld. Another momentum attack has Deadpool tornado across the floor in a breakdance-like spin with his dual katanas.

Deadpool ad-libs his way through most of the action. At one point, after stabbing a guy with his sai, Deadpool says, “I said, ‘Just the tip.’” During another sequence, Deadpool complains to the player about how he’s handling the camera. Thankfully, these quips didn’t seem repetitive, and add to the overall charm.

We won’t know if Deadpool’s quips get grating until we spend more time with him, but right now we’re looking forward to a whole game with the guy.

For more Deadpool check out our other preview on the game.

Activision Sounds Off About Marvel’s Merc With A Mouth

2012-12-01T02:00:00Z

Marvel’s Deadpool is one of the most eccentric characters in comics. He is a mercenary who is friends with both heroes and super villains. He has a mile-a-minute mouth and a grating personality, yet his fans find him charming. He’s a hand-to-hand combat specialist with a penchant for big guns and explosives. And he’s completely bonkers. After earning his own monthly comic series and appearing in titles like Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Deadpool has finally earned the right to star in his own game.

In the comics, Deadpool regularly references his comic creators and talks to his readers. Developer High Moon is incorporating this concept into the game itself. Deadpool not only comments on how well players perform during combat, but the game’s narrative centers on the idea that Deadpool has taken over a video game studio and is working to design the “most kickass” Deadpool game possible.

“During the game, he might turn to you and make a wise-crack about how well you are doing playing him, or make fun of you for how badly,” says Sean Miller, game director at High Moon Studios. “It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed this much while making or playing a video game.”

The game’s most recent demo starts with Deadpool accepting a contract to assassinate a media mogul. As Deadpool works his way through the billionaire’s high-rise, he shreds through several security guards. Deadpool’s ADD-riddled personality comes through in his combat style, which is erratic and fast-paced. After running down a hall firing two pistols at a group of guards, he might perform a spin attack with dual katanas or grab a sledgehammer and knock together a few heads. As Deadpool dances through combat, he builds up a series of combo bars that unleash room-clearing special moves such as a spinning sword attack.

One of Deadpool’s powers is a healing factor similar to Wolverine’s. This makes Deadpool nearly invulnerable, but he isn’t indestructible; he slowly falls apart as he suffers damage during combat. Players can either wait for the missing limbs to regrow or pick up his missing chunks and reattach them. When we asked Miller if Deadpool’s healing factor makes the game more difficult to balance, he shared an interesting opinion about the state of modern gaming.

“Really, how is this different from any other video game out there? We’ve become used to the idea that ‘my character’ can soak up damage and miraculously recover from multiple gunshots, or if I actually die, I just respawn at my last checkpoint. Just because I can take a lot of damage doesn’t mean I can’t lose – and Deadpool hates losing.”

Deadpool breaks the fourth wall as often as he break noses, but that could be one of his game’s most distinguishing characteristics. Given High Moon’s pedigree working on licensed titles like Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, we expect this game to be a polished experience full of comedic action and dazzling explosions.

Balancing Humor

Humor isn’t an easy thing to inject into a game. Deadpool is known for talking a lot, and players will be able to hear the voices inside his head, which creates the possibility of Deadpool overload. We asked game director Sean Miller what the studio is doing to make sure the humor stays fresh.

“The key is that Deadpool wants to be a likable guy. He’s been through a hellish life, and like many of us, the jokes he cracks help lighten up some pretty serious business. The game won’t be an endless stream of repetitive one-liners – he’s playing the game with you, so his thoughts and jokes are in the context of what you are both experiencing. He just lets out who he is, unfiltered – something none of us get to do in our day-to-day lives.”

New Deadpool Screens

2012-08-15T23:56:00Z

Activision released a bunch of new screens for its Deadpool game, due out sometime next year for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game is being shown at Gamescom this week, so check back with us for our impressions so far.

The screenshots are posted in the gallery below.