Captain America: Super Soldier Review (6.5/10)

In this bleak period of video gaming, we're currently left with a shedload of movie tie-ins to either endure or ignore. Thankfully, in the case of Captain America: Super Soldier, should you choose to pick it up you'll be pleasantly surprised- there's a competent action combat system ripped from Batman: Arkham Asylum, basic yet quite effective rhythm platforming sequences akin to those in the Prince of Persia series, and neat door-unlocking puzzles not unlike those in detective games (Professor Layton, LA Noire etc). Notice something in that last sentence, though? Developers Next Level Games seem to have assumed that by stealing all of these fabled mechanics from other franchises, they can instantly garner universal praise from the respective fanbases of each 'victim'. It is actually a good move on their part, making for the most varied and altogether fun movie tie-in I've ever played, but that really isn't saying much, and Super Soldier then consequently suffers from being harshly predictable. There's absolutely nothing here you haven't seen before, and with new entries in the aforementioned franchises on their way later this year and looking to expand and refine the boundaries of their formulas, by year's end this one will probably seem redundant as a result. Graphics aren't everything, but Super Soldier sure doesn't do itself any favours with the blandly coloured environments or the brown sludge the Cap's shield becomes when thrown. The story takes place during Captain America's rise to fame in the film (reportedly shown by a montage), and is a very patriotic romp that you'd be hard pressed to relate to World War Two bar for a few dialogue references to the Nazis and/or the conflict. However, you should be kept entertained enough by the narrative to keep going for the respectable six to seven hour play time, and that again is more than you can say for other tie-ins. Captain America: Super Soldier marked a really nice surprise for me in that it's actually the best movie tie-in game I've ever played, but I can't help but think that when all the big name franchises return to our consoles later this year I'll realise how repetitive, dull and generally stale this title really is. BUY, RENT or IGNORE? Rent.