Krome Studios, the independent Australian developer best known for the kid friendly Ty the Tasmanian Tiger series discarded its E for Everyone persona in exchange for a deal with the devil -- known in some circles as Konami. While the famous Metal Gear publisher doesn't control hell, it acquired the rights to Hellboy, Mike Mignola and Dark Horse Comics' popular franchise. Together, both groups created a gorgeous and violent brawler that, despite bringing nothing new to its genre, appears polished and fun.
In the game, players, as Hellboy, must stop the Nazis (in particular, Hermann Von Klempt) from taking over the world. Using Hellboy's brute strength and an arsenal of weapons, gamers tear enemies limb from limb, ripping off their heads and discarding them like empty wrappers. However, maniacal Germans give way to ghastly monsters that serve to make the hero's life unpleasant. Fortunately, he makes use of his fists, busting out combos and sending these unholy abominations back to hell.
Furthermore, Hellboy destroys the environments, shattering glass, splintering crates, ripping pipes from walls (used as weapons) and giving homes extreme makeovers by punching through buildings. In addition, the game features context sensitive controls, so, for example, the jump button also causes Hellboy to kick whenever he approaches a kickable object. On the downside, an early demo revealed some kinks, as the character repeatedly jumped while near an interactive object, a (hopefully) fixable issue.
Two-player co-op complements the single player campaign, which allows people to play as Hellboy, Abe Sapein or Liz Sherman. However, Konami has yet to release details on this mode.
Although the combat feels familiar, Hellboy's visuals make the game unique. Krome continues to do an excellent job capturing the series' twisted appearance, thrusting players onto bridges and inside decrepit catacombs. Rain splatters, Hellboy's right arm glows an eerie orange and explosions reflect off surfaces, all under a canopy of darkness.
To further authenticate the product, Konami enlisted Mignola's help as well as the director of the Hellboy movie, Guillermo del Toro. Both will provide creative direction throughout the course of the project. Finally, actor Ron Perlman reprises his role as Hellboy, lending his voice to the character.
Although the game appears far from finished, Hellboy should turn out to be a quality beat-em-up and yet another solid comic book to video game adaptation. Expect more coverage throughout 2007.
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