The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction

"Unleash The Fury Of The Hulk!!!"

At first, I was skeptical about even touching this game, but after a few reviews and spending time watching videos, I took a chance. What I found in this game was more than I expected. It brings a whole new level to superhero games. And before you ask, this game is free-roam.

Plot: 8/10

You are taken into the world of Bruce Banner, who is trying to find a cure for the Hulk. You spend the entire game playing as the Hulk, trying to complete missions that require you to retrieve machine parts, and battling foes from the Division army.

Not being a hardcore Hulk fan, I didn't know much about the characters, or events that were happening in the story. If you're a die hard Hulk fan, you will know every character, and be able to get deep into it. If your like me, you might get confused at several points, but still grasp the overall experience.

Controls: 9/10

While you might be confused at first, you will know the controls, like the back of your hand, after wandering around or completing a few missions. Some buttons and combos feel awkward, and several times you'll ask why they set the game up like this. I dropped the score of the controls one point, because I felt that the creators should have included some sort of button configuration. Overall, though, the game makes you feel as though you ARE the Hulk because of the smooth button layout.

Graphics: 8/10

The graphics in this game are breathtaking, and watching an entire city from high up on a skyscraper feels great. The frame rate is smooth, but can slow down a bit during VERY large explosions during battles. This slower frame rate is rare in appearance, and you spend most of the time observing, in awe, the stunning detail. The badlands, a desert like region with cliffs and a small town, are also greatly detailed. Both areas are stunning, and you can clearly see how much thought was put into the design of the game.

Sound: 8/10

Sound effects are plenty in this game. The Hulk's grunts match the creature perfectly, and explosions make you feel as if you are experiencing them first-hand. Watching the city go about its daily life gives the player a sense of realism. When a city like this is compared to capital cities in the states, you can see how true to real life this game comes (disregarding the 12-foot monster that is ripping apart downtown. :) ).

Gameplay: 9/10

Simply brilliant. The entire game is based on fights that will make you feel the power of the Hulk. The free-roam factor gives an experience like no other, and you will often find yourself destroying buses and punching random bystanders for kicks. The missions bring a small range of variety, yet because of all the action on screen, the missions become much more entertaining to the player. I even find myself popping in the game disc just to fight, and cause mayhem.

The number of combos and special moves are numerous, and you can make use of the different moves to explore each type of enemy's weakness. Every time you destroy objects or complete missions, you get a certain amount of smash points. These smash points are your currency that allow you to purchase new moves at the Church. New moves are available for purchase after you complete a chapter, and I highly recommend buying them, to ease the difficulty of the later missions.

Replayability: 9/10

There is a lot to do in the Hulk's world. If your feeling creative, you can try one of the many challenge mission that are scattered throughout the city and the badlands. Collecting comics unlocks art, videos, cheats and character skins for the game. I also suggest you play when you're in a bad mood, because this game can help you lose some steam. It might even leave you smiling at the end of the day.

Rent Or Buy?

I say buy if your a true Hulk fan, but rent if you're not. You might not like the game at all, and have completely different opinions about it. If you are looking for fast action and lots of explosions, I command you to rush to your nearest video game store, and pick up The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction ASAP!!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/12/05