Astro Boy: The Video Game

Astro Boy: The Video Game
North American box art for the Wii
Developer(s)	High Voltage Software (Wii, PS2, PSP) Art Co., Ltd (DS)
Publisher(s)	D3 Publisher,Sega (PS2)
Engine	Quantum3
Platform(s)	Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
Release date(s)	Wii October 20, 2009 Template:PS2 October 24 2009 Template:PSP October 27 2009 Template:DS 31 Ocotber 2009
Genre(s)	Action platform
Mode(s)	Single-player, Two player co-op
Rating(s)	ESRB: E10+ PEGI: 12+

Astro Boy: The Video Game is an action video game based on the 2009 CG animated film of the same name. The game was released in worldwide on October 20, 2009 to coincide with the theatrical release of the film on October 23, 2009. It features the voices of Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell, reprising their film roles. The game was published by D3 Publisher in North America on the Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS. D3 Publisher will also publish the game in Japan, which will only see a release on the PSP.

Plot

In the game, players become the iconic hero, Astro Boy, and take to the streets and skies on an epic adventure to save Metro City from the clutches of the evil President Stone and his robot army.

Gameplay

The game allows the player to be Astro Boy, utilising his array of weapons while fighting robot armies. The game features levels set on the ground, in which Astro fights while advancing by walking, and also in the air, which mainly includes Astro shooting airborne enemies down using his finger laser, reminiscent of Omega Factor’s gameplay in a 2D platformer format. Collectables include different costumes and also power-ups found in heard to reach or hidden areas. While attacking, alongside his normal attacks, a player may wish to activate a 'Special Attack', provided they have enough energy to do so. A meter limits the amount of Special Attacks a player can use, being Arm Cannon, Butt Machine Guns and also Absorb (which allows the player to recharge a certain portion of their health).

It features both a single player mode as well as a multiplayer mode, with the second player being another Astro in an alternate costume. During Story Mode, if a player loses a life while the other is still playing he or she would, after a certain period of time, be able to re-join the game with full health. However, if both players lose lives that the same time, the game is lost. A separate mode allows both players to fight in the robot games ring, and the player with the most points at the end wins.

The game offers numerous unlockable and collectable elements that include exclusive art work, different versions of Astro Boy and more, as players live the story solo or side by side with a friend in 2 player co-op mode on Wii and the PlayStation 2 system.

Reception

The game was met with mostly poor reviews.

Giancarlo Varanini of gamespot.com scored the game a 4.5/10. Varanini says the game features "sloppy hand-to-hand combat," "repetitive level design," "muddled and unimpressive graphics," and that the game is "too short." While he does find many problems with the game, he does say it is "slightly more fun with a buddy." He also criticizes the game for not "capitalizing on Astro Boy's skills."

Jack DeVries of ign.com called the game "a mediocre brawler with some pretty good shooter levels." DeVries also said that "The in-game cutscenes are hilariously bad." He summarizes the game by saying "It all comes off as bland." Ultimately, DeVries scored the game a 5.7/10.

Jon Carlos of gamevortex.com gave the game a fairly good review, scoring it a 67%. Carlos says "I give Astro Boy: The Video Game kudos for at least heading in the right direction when it comes to gameplay design." However, he does note "Unfortunately, Astro Boy: The Video Game isn't much more than another film cash-in. Nearly everything in this game is stale, uninteresting and forgettable."

External links

• Official site
• Astro Boy: The Video Game at Internet Movie Database
• Astro Boy: The Video Game at IGN
• Astro Boy: The Video Game at Gamespot