Video Game Review: “X Men Origins: Wolverine” for Xbox 360

Controls:
The controls are pretty easy to use on the Xbox controller. Essentially, you can press a variety of buttons to make the most of the claw moves. X and Y are the primary buttons used to fight with the claws. B is for special moves, especially repetitive button hitting. The A button is used for jumping.

The left button is used for dashing forward in short bursts. The Left Trigger is used to block attacks and the Right is used for Fury Attacks. The Left & Right Triggers and buttons can be used in combination for counter attacking, dodging, and other movements.

The down button (on the pad – not the thumbstick) will turn on feral senses. This allows you to see ghost soldiers that are otherwise invisible, find hidden items, and avoid destructive things.

Ease of Use:

Visual Quality:
While “X Men Origins: Wolverine” shines when it comes to gameplay as Wolverine, the second greatest part of this game is the visual quality. As a game filled with gore, blood, and guts it’s nice when the visual quality is so stellar the blood flying looks pretty. Yes, it is actually quite beautiful. The visual quality is the first thing you will notice. This doesn’t look like a video game. It looks like a high tech, animated movie.

The characters are so realistic. The visual backgrounds are detailed and well developed. It’s hard not to praise the stand out visual quality. Raven Software went all out to provide gamers with a luscious and fertile playground of colors, images, and some of the best, animated fight scenes any video game has offered.

Visual:

Audio Quality:
Hugh Jackman and the rest of the cast of the movie lend their voices for this video game release. The audio isn’t overly intensive and the spoken dialogue is, luckily, not too cheesy, so this area shines quite a bit. Sound effects come through loud and clear with some nice surround action whenever something explodes. The claws make some pretty cool swiping sounds and while the game isn’t filled with excessive bouts of hyper-active music, you will notice some menacing music when enemies are approaching or are attacking full force. When the music ends, the wave is over.

The volume channels are used with a nice balance of front and back speaker sounds. The dialogue is driven near the front with explosions more rounded out and in the back. Overall, a decent soundtrack is provided, enhancing an already intense video gaming experience.

Audio:

Disability/Accessibility Friendliness:
For the most part “X Men Origins: Wolverine” uses basic Xbox controls. If you have a disability and can use the Xbox controller you should be able to to play this game. There is one section of the game that was difficult for me (I have a mobility impairment with weakness in my arms, hands and fingers). Occasionally, you’ll have to push the B button repeatedly to open doors and turn cranks.

In one area, you have to hit B repeatedly and then dash forward to get through a door. It took multiple tries, especially if you can’t hit a button really fast. These fast repetitive button movements might be frustrating for those who have trouble with their hands/fingers. Luckily, these areas are few and far between.

Since there is a PC version of “X Men Origins: Wolverine,” those with extensive mobility impairments may want to purchase this version as opposed to the console or handheld releases.

Disability/Accessibility Friendliness:

Bottom Line:
Gore, blood, guts and violence make “X Men Origins: Wolverine” the perfect game for adults who enjoy intense gameplay. This game is not recommended for children or teenagers. The Mature rating should be respected simply because this game should only be played by those old enough to handle the graphic nature of the game. With the ability to play as Wolverine, with full control over some crazy claw action and beautifully rendered graphics, “X Men Origins: Wolverine” is a shining star in Activision’s 2009 Video Game lineup. The game comes highly recommended!

Overall Rating:

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick is in his late 20s. Having been born in the 80s gave him a unique advantage to experience the development of gaming into the massive industry it has become today. From the days of Atari to the purchase of his very first NES (before his 10th birthday), Dominick has been involved in gaming. Initially, a huge fan of Nintendo, he's delved more into the exciting world of Xbox 360, and everything Microsoft in recent years. His favorite games are Action/Adventure, Shooters (especially WWII or Historical based games) and racing games. Of course, some days he enjoys playing an old fashioned game featuring his original gaming heroes, Mario and Zelda. In a wheelchair since age 16, Dominick has the unique perspective of gaming with limited mobility. When not gaming, he is a human rights activist, a creative mind, and he enjoys spending time with his family.