mva-frontDreamworks’ latest animated movie, Monsters vs. Aliens, has predictably joined the long and far from illustrious line of movies that have spawned a videogame of the same name.

Now, on most occasions movies and videogames do not go well together, but Monsters vs. Aliens is a rare exception.

Monsters vs. Aliens is, despite overwhelming odds, a “good” movie videogame.

The animated movie, Monsters vs. Aliens, is about a young Californian woman named Susan Murphy who is hit by a meteor from outer space on her wedding day. Soon after the freak accident Susan grows 49 feet tall. Susan is then captured by the military, renamed Ginormica and locked away in a covert government compound with a bunch of other monsters. After this, a mysterious alien robot lands on the Earth and General W.R. Monger persuades the President to let the monsters deal with the aliens, hence the title, Monsters vs. Aliens.

The game follows the exact same storyline as the movie and divides the gameplay into three different segments. Players will take control of Ginormica (Susan), The Missing Link (a 20,000-year-old fish-ape hybrid) and B.O.B. (an indestructible gelatinous mass) for each section of the game.

Ginormica’s levels are similar to the linear drive-by shooting games in Grand Theft Auto, just not as gory (okay, nowhere near as gory as GTA). This means that all players have to do is focus on shooting the bad guys, as character movement is automated. From here onwards, players use the Wii’s motion sensor controls to make Ginormica jump, duck and barge her way through the game’s levels. Overall, Ginormica’s segments in Monsters vs. Aliens are fun and surprising, but at certain times they can become slightly repetitive.

MvA features an in-game version of the Large Hadron Collider. Touch it and see what happens. I dare you.

Just like Ginormica’s levels, The Missing Link’s stages of the game are linear and involve the player directing the character from point A to point B. This time, however, movement is not automated. Players have full control of The Missing Link and can activate his abilities at any time by shaking the Wii Remote and nunchuk. During these sections of the game players guide themselves through the level whilst beating up enemies and solving simple puzzles that involve The Missing Link running around a screw or jumping on switches to unlock an enemy gate. The amount of puzzles and enemies throughout each level are equal in an attempt to keep the gameplay interesting, but even this does not hide the tiny amount of repetition in The Missing Link’s levels.

The blue blob’s levels play out like a C-grade version of Super Mario Galaxy. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it helps prove that even a C-grade version of Super Mario Galaxy can be fun. The B.O.B. levels are well designed and as a result they flow. Throughout these levels players must conduct simple tasks with crates and switches, whilst beating up an enemy or two on the side. The B.O.B. levels are enjoyable, but just like the other two sections of the game they can get slightly repetitive at times.

On top of all this, the game also features cut scenes, end of level bosses (which make use of the Wii’s motion sensor controls) and a two-player mode.

The two player mode in particular is great fun. The second player’s role in Monsters vs. Aliens is similar to Super Mario Galaxy’s multiplayer feature. Dr Cockroach, PH.D (one of the monsters in the game) gives the player the opportunity to let a friend join in at anytime during the game. Two players makes the game considerably easier because the second player is able to continuously shoot at enemies and clear a safe path for the first player.

Blind dates usually end in disaster...

There is also a large amount of bonus content that can be unlocked in this game. Players have the opportunity to spend their D.N.A. (the game’s currency system) on character upgrades, new challenges, concept art and storyboards from the actual movie. The bonus content adds to the longevity of the title and makes playing through the main section of the game even more worthwhile.

In terms of audio and visuals, Monsters vs. Aliens holds up well. The audio has been used appropriately throughout the game. The character dialogue and musical backings are similar to the movie’s audio as well. The visuals in the game are impressive in comparison to the average third party Wii title. The character models and environments look great, but the lighting effects steal the limelight. Light in this game looks superb. Light effects of all sorts can be seen near and far in each level, and the effects also give the characters in the game a really shiny and professional looking appearance.

'Eyes up here, robot.'

Overall, Monsters vs. Aliens is an impressive third party title that is sure to entertain children for many hours. And even though it fails to match the quality of the legendary movie game Goldeneye, it helps remind the videogame world that it is still possible to create a good quality videogame based on a movie.

Whilst Monsters vs. Aliens is a good platformer, I would still recommend Super Mario Galaxy to people over 12 because it offers similar but vastly superior gameplay.

By Liam Doolan

Graphics: B-

The way light reflects off the character models in this game is so awesome!

Sound: B-

Whilst the sound wasn’t film quality, it was still pretty good for a third party Wii title.

Gameplay: B-

The gameplay is fun, but slightly repetitive at times.

Overall: B-

This game is one of the better third party Wii titles and movie games out on the market.