Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

"A below average game with a beautiful wrapping"

Finally, a Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon video game... but is it as beautiful as the film it's based on?

Gameplay 4/10
The gameplay does retain some of the elements of the film. You are Jen Yu/Xiou Long and the game follows most of the important events in the movie which involve the character. You can double jump to unrealistic heights, and jump off walls and water. Although the gameplay in this is more compared to a Ninja style game such as Ninja Gaiden. You hit enemies with your sword and you get power ups, once you receive enough power ups and your power up meter is fully charge you can unleash special attacks which sadly aren't very useful. You can also upgrade your sword but the downside to this is as soon as you get hit your sword is back down a level. The enemies are pretty easy and the stages are rather repetitive (you would swear you have been to the same area 15 times). The bosses can prove to be somewhat difficult as are some of the stages which involve horse riding.

Graphics 4/10
The sprites aren't very detailed and the enemies don't vary very much at all. An obvious rush job with little effort. Only saving points are how well the stills from the movie come out during the cut scenes.

Sound 7/10
Probably one of the few highpoints of this game. It features beautiful orchestrated music through out the stages and cut scenes. Although at first they are pretty impressive they get rather tiring to listen to through out the very long stages. The fx isn't anything special just standard sounds.

Storyline 6/10
As you may know the film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon features a rich and beautiful storyline. While some may try to tear the film down comparing it to other martial arts films, I doubt they see that this is more of a love story and a drama than a true action kung fu film. While the storyline is great how it translate into the game isn't so great. It stays true to alot of the events but cuts out most of them and the dialogue used during the cut scenes are quite over simplistic (both the good and bad endings are laughable). Also as I just mentioned unlike the film there are TWO endings in the game. If you have yet seen the film I suggest you stop reading the review and go rent it now... if you have seen it and don't care that I may be spoiling the game for you read on

*Spoilers*

In the last stage you will have to reach this specific item at the end of the stage under a certain amount of time. If you do reach it in time you will get the good ending, if you don't you will receive the bad ending which is more true to the film.

Bad Ending : this follows the film SOMEWHAT accurately with Chow Yun Fat's character dying.
Good Ending : exact same thing except with Chow Yun Fat's character surviving

Replay Value 3/10
Other than the multiple endings (you receive a password at the end of each stage so you won't have to play the whole game over) there isn't really any reason to play this game again. There are better GBA games out there and this isn't one of them

Overall 4/10
Another movie cash in and a rather cheap one to boot. Despite it retaining some of the elements of the film it really doesn't show off the how great the film truly is nor is this game anywhere close to how caliber.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 11/29/03