Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend

"Using Bruce Lee's name and legacy for profit >:("

Introduction

Bruce Lee is indeed an legend. That is why you see him on the NES, SNES, PS2 and now, on the GBA! However, like many other games *cough* DAREDEVIL! *cough* the content of the game has very little substance, as ought they slap it into in a day or two and put it in the market to sell. I don't like that; in fact, I abhor it with a passion. I think game developers should make excellent games well worth the money of the gamers -- and this is what Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend DOES NOT offer.

In fact, I highly recommend you not to buy this game, despite being a huge Bruce Lee fan myself. This game is surely a disappointed. Be warned ...

Game Play

This is a 2d side scrolling game similar to Mario. You play as Bruce Lee, in which you know some kung-fu moves to kick some serious ass! You can punch, kick, jump, run, climb, roll and other moves to rise hell. But wait! I have something to complain here. This is a fighting game, not a jumping platform game like Mario. Because in the game you do plenty of jumping across gaps and jumping things, in which I don't like.

I think the developers got their genre mixed up. Is this a beat them up game or stealth action? Or is it because of poor game play implementation? For example, the game developers tried to borrow the stealth element from Splinter Cell -- you get to hide Bruce Lee in the shadow to avoid enemy detection, but whats the point? Its not important for you to hide -- you can just beat the guy up!

Graphics

My God, child! The graphics for this game looks as if it was made in QBASIC by a 12 years old. The textures are really blurry, Bruce Lee vaguely looks like a Chinese guy and the enemies spirites are mundane. This is so bad I can actually see the pixels! Again, I don't expect these kind of poor graphics on the GBA. Proof: just look at the graphics for Batman Begins and Splinter Cell. Excellent graphics, unlike Bruce Lee, which is an eyesore.

The sounds and music for this game isn't any impressive either. Poorly done, and very limited.

Conclusion

Further proof that this game is just using Bruce Lee's name and legacy for profit. Because I don't see an ounce of effort in the development of this game. It as ought someone paid a 14 years old to spend his weekend writing this game in QBASIC while adding midi files for the sounds and music. Do not, under any circumstance, buy/play/rent this game because it will only squander your time! You've been warned.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 08/01/05