A Film Game With Bite: 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'

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THERE ARE A FEW traditions in the world of video games. One is that every year, a new Madden Football, game that fixes a few bugs from the previous year's and creates a few others will sell millions of copies. Another is that blockbuster movie releases will have a game tie-in. Finally, these games will be terrible, soul-sucking experiences.

So how is it that developer Raven Software actually managed to put together an enjoyable romp that pays homage to the central character in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"? It could have something to do with Raven's pedigree ("Jedi Knight II" and "Quake 4" among others), or the fact that the game developers are admitted fans of the X-Men, as shown with the "X-Men Legends" franchise.

The game establishes itself early with the combat. You really get the feeling of stepping into Wolverine's shoes, a character whose temper is only slightly more manageable than the Hulk's and happens to have razor-sharp claws. Where the movie's PG-13 violence was strangely antiseptic, Raven has gleefully embraced an M rating. Make no mistake: This game is not for children. Decapitations and various other forms of dismemberment are the order of the day.

Near the beginning, players can expect to face legions of similar-looking soldiers and mutants over and over. But the game picks up steam around the midpoint, throwing in some nice signature moments, such as a battle against a gigantic robotic Sentinel. From there, the game jumps from one exciting boss fight to the next.

The title lacks polish in some areas, with compressed, prerecorded cut scenes, wonky AI and graphic glitches. They never distract from the overall experience, however, and are easily forgiven once you delve into the combat.

Photo courtesy Raven Software