Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction vs. ProtoHYPE

[Chardok]

So, after playing the abortion that is the half-assed IHUD ripoff/cheap imitation that is prototype and comparing it MERCILESSLY (STRAK can vouch for this) to IHUD, I decided I should buy IHUD again to see if it really is as great as I remember. So is it?

In a word, yes.

Man, this game came out in '05ish and it's still massively fun to play. What in the hell happened with ProtoHYPE? it's like...the SAME DUDES. THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MADE THE MASSIVELY FUN AND "Done right" IHUD, made the shitbag cheap imitation piece of crap that is ProtoHYPE. Incredible hulk has a ridiculous amount of unlockables, bonus content, making of videos, alternate costumes, Powers that actually ENHANCE the gameplay, etc. . WHERE IS THIS IN PROTOTYPE?! The Hulk has Challenge missions that are actually CHALLENGING and sotry missions with motivations that make sense. WHERE IS THIS IN PROTOTYPE?! Yes, yes, I know, Prototype is an all new IP, and hulk is established, but that's not fair because the Hulk has ten bajillion story arcs that they could've followed, most of them shitty/stupid.

The coolest thing about IHUD is that the open world is REALLY open, there's comic book covers to collect THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE because the detail draw distance for them AT LEAST is ultra-long. No, the game doesn't render individual cars for miles and miles, but it doesn't need to; it does, however, need to render orbs and crap to collect and unlike Prototype, guess what, IT DOES! Doing something in IHUD has tangible effects, i.e. when a superhero beat the holy howling hell out of a building, it FALLS DOWN. WHERE IS THIS IN PROTOTYPE. There are precisely EIGHT buildings that are destructible and even then, they only fall with 7 billion 2.75" FFAR hits and 90 Hellfire shots (LOL Hellfire vs. building) or 30 jillion HEAP rounds from an M1A7 Abrams XII. and all the buildings are the same building; So, hint to Manhattan architechts: Don't build anymore of this building.

Anyway, back to IHUD: the sound is awesome, the graphics hold up surprisingly well, considering the era they were released in, anyway; and, Prototype is only a very minor half-step upwards in terms of graphics (Ignoring the shitty draw distance) and LOL GRIMDARK color scheme. Everything is bright, colorful, and the textures are well done and detailed. It seems to me that Radical used all of the extra capability of the 360 not to improve the quality of the graphics, but to have the ability to draw the same 9 people on the screen seven billion times, or create a sea of Taxi cabs to shove aside. SNORE. In IHUD, there may have been only 8 chracter modles, but the Hulk was 12 feet tall, so the models were not so detailed; they could change the color of the shirt and pants and blammo, you've got a different person. WIN!

So now, I'm coming off as an elitist prick so I'll pick on IHUD a little: The controls are balls in my face. it's really loose, the running up the buildings is janky as all hell, and it difficult to see where you're going because of the poo camera controls. These are all flaws, however that do not necessarily detract from the gameplay, but add a different layer of challenge. I will get used to that, know why? THE GAME IS RIDICULOUSLY FUN AND ENGAGING. See? It's easy to overcome flaws in small design elements if the rest of your game is high quality well-aging product.

In closing - FU Radical for forking up Prototype and creating a laughably forgettable main character. FU Radical for crapping on whatever enging you clearly built both games on. FU for removing all the fun things about the games you USED to make when regurgitating them for the next-gens and FU for your hype machine.

FME for buying your piece of crap modern software, and Thanks a million for the obscenely fun, engaging, engrossing, and just plain awesome IHUD - I'll give you one last chance to get a game right. I'll give you a hint: just reskin IHUD and clean up the controls. Then, sirs, you will win.


GAME OVER.

[CaptHawkeye]

Man Chards, they just don't build open world games like they used to. Remember when Mercenaries and Destroy all Humans didn't suck? LOL

[weemadando]

One of my favourite things in IHUD that wasn't in Prototype?

The ability to NOT FUCKING THROW something you've picked up. You know how you could just nice and gingerly put someone who you'd picked up back down? Sometimes in Prototype it would be nice to pretend for a moment that you aren't a complete sociopath.

Also you could totally pat people as The Hulk. Or roar in their faces. That was fun.

[18-Till-I-Die]

Have not played Prototype yet. It's on muh Gamefly thingy...

I did play Ultimate Destruction though. I remember feeling profoundly ripped off, with that game. I played through the training level, and it was frustrating to say the least, but hey I said it's a training level they universally suck. So get to the actual game and it's...just like the training level, only bigger.

"Oooh, you can destroy stuff!"

Yeah! And I can also play Mercenaries 2 and not feel like the controls want to rape me, so points to Mercs 2.

Then I played The Incredible Hulk: the Game of the Movie of the Comic, or whatever, and it blew even harder. That's not true, let me rephrase that. If the XBox 360 malfunctioned somehow and the disk drive shot a laser directly through the part of my brain that lets me see stuff, injuring it in such a way all I could see when I closed my eyes was Sarah Silverman naked, it would not suck as much as The Incredible Hulk game.

I'm a fan of the Hulk as a character, but frankly I'm done with his games.

[Stark]

Did you just compare a game from 2005 to Mercenaries 2? Nice and fair, lol.

That said, I'm digging the return of 18. His post is basically 'I didn't like Hulk; the controls were poor and the game was too hard. Here are some overblown nerd chic comments demonstrating how much I dislike it'. Solid gold.

And he's 'done' with Hulk games!

[18-Till-I-Die]

Really, it was made in 2005, I honestly had no idea. Well I guess I can give it points for not looking like shit, which I can't say for The Incredible Hulk: The Movie: The Game: The Musical which was like being kicked in the eyes with AIDS. That game had so many glitches it was hilarious...and oh my the cut scenes. I mean really, it was almost a parody.

Actually if you take The Incredible Hulk: The Official Game of the Movie based on a Comic, as some kind of parody of shitty sandbox games it becomes far more interesting.

[Stark]

I'm glad you responded to my pillory of your emotional, factless posting with yet more excellent content-free nonsense! Please steal more faux-edgy criticism from other reviewers! Don't ever provide a concrete or objective basis to things you say, it'd only get in the way

[18-Till-I-Die]

You want an objective review, ok, the controls were bad. Like, it took me ten minutes to figure out how to do this jumpy punch kill move and take out a chopper. I got killed like fifteen times trying to get it all down, and the actual level was just "Move from this point to that point and kill these guys!". Because that's brilliant game design. It wasn't "hard" it was just crappy, the whole point was to move from one point to the next and do...stuff...because...you should. What exactly was the plot of all that? I don't know. Kill those guys! Ok, why? Smash that! Yeah...why? Who cares, it's ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION. Yeah and it's pointless and aimless too. But it's ok because you can do a jumpy kicky elbow smash thing to kill folks. If i were a little more faux-edgy (not really edgy like you) then I'd have some idea how to convey the idea of running around in a circle with no idea of what is happening for an hour before turning the game off in disgust.

But then we would miss brilliant plots like Samson helping you control the Hulk with hypnosis, because that's how the Hulk works, but it backfires because he turns into an evil Hulk for some reason that's never adressed. But that's not a problem because most of the time you're going around finding nicknacks for Dr. Samson to make a machine to do something vague. Oh hey spoilers: turns out the Abomination is after you because his wife has cancer and the Hulk can cure it. Because that's definitely how the Hulk works. And then Abomination goes berserk and drowns. Which I'm pretty sure is impossible in the comics since he's kind of an amphibian but ok.

[Oskuro]

Awww, IHUD is a console exclusive, I won't get my dose of SMASH! (of the HULK variety)

[Chardok]

You want an objective review, ok, the controls were bad. Like, it took me ten minutes to figure out how to do this jumpy punch kill move and take out a chopper.

Because you're stupid. The game TELLS you to throw shit at helicopters. It's hard to jump up and punchkick a helicopter because IT'S HARD TO JUMP UP AND PUNCHKICK A HELICOPTER. But you're also stupid for not knowing how to do that, considering every move in the game charges, and at the point the game tells you to jump punchkick a helicopter, you've already done seven billion charge punches and ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is target, jump, chargepunch, and you will FLY TO THE HELO AND PUNCH IT.

I got killed like fifteen times trying to get it all down, and the actual level was just "Move from this point to that point and kill these guys!". Because that's brilliant game design.

Dude, every sandbox game has "that mission". no, it's not innovative, no, it's not ZOMG JAWSOME, but it is what it is, and it's ONE MISSION, or even a series of TUTORIAL missions (Which again speaks to the fact that you're an idiot.). But it is FUN because you can not only punchkick the helicopters, but you can then pick up their burning, half-melted slagcorpse, and use it to kill a fucking 5-story office building.

It wasn't "hard" it was just crappy, the whole point was to move from one point to the next and do...stuff...because...you should.

WOW! You mean a 5-year old game is no longer new and edgy? GET RIGHT OUT OF TOWN!

What exactly was the plot of all that? I don't know. Kill those guys! Ok, why? Smash that! Yeah...why? Who cares, it's ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION.

Are you playing the same game I was playing? because they tell you precisely why you need to RAR! KILL THIS! SMASH THAT! That's just being true to the character because, you know, hulk smash and all that. Idiot.

Yeah and it's pointless and aimless too. But it's ok because you can do a jumpy kicky elbow smash thing to kill folks. If i were a little more faux-edgy (not really edgy like you) then I'd have some idea how to convey the idea of running around in a circle with no idea of what is happening for an hour before turning the game off in disgust.

I think you probably turn it off because you're exhausted from the effort of remembering to breathe out after you inhale.

But then we would miss brilliant plots like Samson helping you control the Hulk with hypnosis, because that's how the Hulk works, but it backfires because he turns into an evil Hulk for some reason that's never adressed.

Actually, dumbass, it is addressed and the whole reason Banner is so desperately trying to find a cure is because the Savage Hulk persona is manifesting and trying to KILL HIM AND BECOME THE HULK PERMANENTLY.

But that's not a problem because most of the time you're going around finding nicknacks for Dr. Samson to make a machine to do something vague.

Umm...it's a machine to cure Banner.

Oh hey spoilers: turns out the Abomination is after you because his wife has cancer and the Hulk can cure it. Because that's definitely how the Hulk works. And then Abomination goes berserk and drowns. Which I'm pretty sure is impossible in the comics since he's kind of an amphibian but ok.

You're a moron, ignore everything else, just ignore it, now, let's start over with two possibilities:

1. Hulk is a killing machine who clearly has awesome regenerative powers. Could it be that blonsky wants to get in on some of that to cure his wife Nah, couldn't be.

or....

2. Hulk is Banner, who is arguably the most brilliant scientist in the world and Blonsky wants to press him into essentially thralldom to work to cure his wife's cancer - But he becomes abomination and all he knows is "Hulk = Banner = Must capture = SMASH!"

But ok.

[Vendetta]

Because you're stupid. The game TELLS you to throw shit at helicopters. It's hard to jump up and punchkick a helicopter because IT'S HARD TO JUMP UP AND PUNCHKICK A HELICOPTER. But you're also stupid for not knowing how to do that, considering every move in the game charges, and at the point the game tells you to jump punchkick a helicopter, you've already done seven billion charge punches and ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is target, jump, chargepunch, and you will FLY TO THE HELO AND PUNCH IT.

It was much more fun to jump at the helicopter, grab it, and chuck it at another helicopter. Or a tank. Or the wall. Or pretty much anything else. Jump, grab, throw. Helicopter worries ended in three easy steps.

[Stark]

I love it when people trying to be 'cool' by 'harshing' on games can't do better than ignorant, mis-informed or plain wrong 'criticisms'. What jumps out at me is that he complains the game doesn't provide you with enough motivation. This is amusing, because many people hated GTA4's attempt at stronger storytelling, and Saints 2 is a better game precisely because it DOESN'T have a strong story with personal motivations etc etc.

But hey, he probably skipped all the tricky 'words' and 'cutscenes' that explained anything.

[Shadowtraveler]

I'd say the best part of IHUD was getting the Joe Fixit skin. "ENGAGING ROCKET THRUSTERS"

Speaking of which, is that new Incredible Hulk game worth getting or not?

[Chardok]

I'd say the best part of IHUD was getting the Joe Fixit skin. "ENGAGING ROCKET THRUSTERS"

Speaking of which, is that new Incredible Hulk game worth getting or not?

In a word: No.

[Molyneux]

One of my favourite things in IHUD that wasn't in Prototype?

The ability to NOT FUCKING THROW something you've picked up. You know how you could just nice and gingerly put someone who you'd picked up back down? Sometimes in Prototype it would be nice to pretend for a moment that you aren't a complete sociopath.

Also you could totally pat people as The Hulk. Or roar in their faces. That was fun.

I've been playing (and enjoying) Prototype, but...yeah, that really, REALLY bugged me. Also the weird inability of Alex to actually drive a car...APCs, tanks and helicopters, sure, but he can't go GTA at all for a bit of quicker movement?

[Vendetta]

Quite frankly, I can't imagine a car would be any faster than Alex already moves, especially since he ignores traffic, can go over buildings, and can jump and glide.

Getting in a car would be a horribly slow way to get around Prototype's world.

[Chardok]

especially navigating the requisite SEA OF TAXICABS

[Molyneux]

Quite frankly, I can't imagine a car would be any faster than Alex already moves, especially since he ignores traffic, can go over buildings, and can jump and glide.

Getting in a car would be a horribly slow way to get around Prototype's world.

especially navigatingthe requisite SEA OF TAXICABS

Still, I think it would be nice to have it, even as a useless ability - just like the ability to put people down would be.

[Vendetta]

especially navigating the requisite SEA OF TAXICABS

Whose eternal migrations do not appear impeded in any way by the motherfucking zombie apocalypse happening two blocks away.

just like the ability to put people down would be.

Just chuck them at the horizon and be done with it. Or eat them. It was funny when Hulk put a random down and patted them on the head, Alex is more of a fuckbag than that, he doesn't give a shit about people.

[D.Turtle]

Whose eternal migrations do not appear impeded in any way by the motherfucking zombie apocalypse happening two blocks away.

Not to mention military bases.


As an explanation: If you are far away (or flying in a helicopter), you can see all of those cars heading down a street, until you get close enough for the military base to finally spawn and you can watch all of those cars crashing into the walls and so on of the military base...

[Chardok]

Whose eternal migrations do not appear impeded in any way by the motherfucking zombie apocalypse happening two blocks away.

Not to mention military bases.


As an explanation: If you are far away (or flying in a helicopter), you can see all of those cars heading down a street, until you get close enough for the military base to finally spawn and you can watch all of those cars crashing into the walls and so on of the military base...

Quality Game design ftw?

[Companion Cube]

Dunno if this is peculiar to the PC version, but when I was playing I noticed the draw distance seemed to be greater than the distance at which the different factions get the cue to fight each other. So you'll be approaching one of the blockaded bridges, everything will be calm, humans and zombies will be cooexisting. Get too close, however, and the phalanx guns start mowing everyone down.

[Starglider]

This is amusing, because many people hated GTA4's attempt at stronger storytelling, and Saints 2 is a better game precisely because it DOESN'T have a strong story with personal motivations etc etc.

The story in SR2 is silly, cliched and can be skipped without any serious detriment to the game, but I would not agree that it lacks personal motivation. That singer woman who married your psycho henchman gets murdered by one of the gangs, then they show up at her funeral and try and mess it up, and that makes killing them particularly satisfying. The corporate executive who becomes the final boss manipulates you, discards you, tries wipe out your HQ with massive waves of troops and then manipulates you again (into killing all his rivals) before you eventually get to take him out. GTA4 has the GRIMDARK and the GRIT ENCRUSTED DIALOG and you're not allowed anything cool because that would compromise the COLD HARD REALISM (lol) but it the story is fundamentally pretty similar.

[Stark]

For sure, but it's so avoidable everyone I know seems to have missed some of the 'plot'. One of my friends really enjoyed the 'drive Worf insane' missions, because they kill your little goober after the escape, but I took so long to even start doing missions I'd forgotten he even existed (and I did the Brotherhood missions last, which is obviously not what you're 'supposed' to do). The gameworld definately has a plot and things going on and 'lore' (the sneaking around the police station listening to the police chief's tapes is pretty cool), but it doesn't grab you by the head and say LOOK AT THIS, DOES THIS MAKE YOU FEEL SAD. I liked Gat's story too, but it's nowhere near as heavy-handed as WHAT WILL WE DO WITH IVAN DRAGO.

The DLC gives you Red Faction jeeps in Saints. That's pretty boss.

[Starglider]

For sure, but it's so avoidable everyone I know seems to have missed some of the 'plot'. One of my friends really enjoyed the 'drive Worf insane' missions, because they kill your little goober after the escape, but I took so long to even start doing missions I'd forgotten he even existed (and I did the Brotherhood missions last, which is obviously not what you're 'supposed' to do).

Yeah there is that. When I played through the game, I completed all of the activities, side-missions, item collection etc first, then did the plot missions continuously (I was playing on hard so it would've been pretty frustrating trying to do the plot without the sidequest rewards). That worked well, but I can see how it would be hard to stay interested in the plot if you kept taking multi-hour breaks to do sidequest stuff.

The DLC gives you Red Faction jeeps in Saints. That's pretty boss.

I don't think those things are even in Red Faction; I've completed RF:G and I didn't see any jeeps with rapid-fire guided rocket launchers. Maybe they're in multiplayer? They're a lot of fun in SR2, but they're also responsible for the only truly broken mission in the game, the rail shooter one where you try to defend a truck. Endless waves of police cars, umpteen attack helicopters, no problem, but then at the end ton of those rocket jeeps show up and blow your vehicle away. Unless I'm missing something there is literally no way to kill them fast enough to stop them blowing up your truck, even if you have 90% health left. I had to set the difficultly right down to easy for that one mission.