A piece of scrap

Love affair with "Iron Man' doesn't extend to video console

By Scott Sloan ssloan@herald-leader.com

Iron Man debuted to pretty stellar reviews for a comic book franchise. The movie, that is.

The game, on the other hand, continues a long trend of movie-based video games that have failed to impress gamers.

As of Tuesday, the review aggregating Web site Metacritic ranked the PS3 version of Sega's adaptation at 37 out of 100. The Xbox 360 version was slightly higher, at 46.

Below, you'll find clips of a couple of reviews from online gaming sites, plus short previews of other movie-based games due out this blockbuster film season.

And as the summer progresses, watch Gamer's Manifesto for a look at movie-inspired video games that have bucked the quality trend (think Spider-Man). E-mail your favorite movie-inspired game to ssloan@herald-leader.com for inclusion.

"Iron Man'

IGN: 3.8/10 — ”At first, Iron Man comes off as a title that won't have you hurling controllers across the room and screaming obscenities, but don't be fooled ...,“ writes Greg Miller. ”You never feel like Iron Man in this game, and if you're like me, you never feel like you're having fun.“

1Up.com: D+ — ”We've come to expect a missing coat of polish on film tie-ins, but Iron Man seems to lack even a level of care, resulting in a drab adaptation that sinks well beyond simple mediocrity,“ writes Andrew Hayward. ”See the flick, read the comics — hell, even drink the commemorative Slurpees. Just skip the game.“

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'

Due out: May 15.

Systems: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, DS (later on the PC).

Features: The game includes content filmed exclusively for the game, with Disney ­Interactive saying the scenes show Dr. Cornelius telling Prince Caspian how Narnia fell to the Telmarines ­hundreds of years earlier.

More info: www.princecaspiangame.com.

"The Incredible Hulk'

Due out: June 3.

Systems: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS, PC.

Features: Developed by Sega, the same ­company behind the Iron Man adaptation, the new Hulk video game promises ”unlimited destruction.“ Hulk also apparently will be able to climb New York's skyline for ”vertically based gameplay.“

More info: http://incrediblehulkthegame.marvel.com.

"Wall-E'

Due out: June 24.

Systems: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PC, PSP.

Features: The Pixar film-inspired game features 10 worlds and relays the movie's story, and is slated to include new stories and locations.

More info: thq.com