The Expendables 2 isn’t the first horrible video game adaptation of an upcoming movie to hit the market, but it is certainly the latest in the long history of poorly made tie-ins. Good movie tie-ins of video games are generally the exception and not the rule, The Expendables 2 Video Game is part of this rule, in fact, its the reason that this rule exists in the first place.
If you’re going to the movie theater to see The Expendables 2, you’ll likely enjoy the intense cooperative gameplay of The Expendables 2 Video Game. It’s got splosions, swearing, and the iconic characters from the movie, voiced by the actors themselves. The Expendables seems like a sure fire hit in this day and age of shooters ruling the roost of the video game hen house. Unfortunately, the gameplay is as much of a throwback to 80’s as the actors in the upcoming movie. A three quarters top-down view invokes memories of games like Smash TV, the only problem is this isn’t 1990.
The Expendables 2 Video Game is a four-player cooperative title, and a mediocre one at best. Shoddy controls which have you controlling movement with the left stick and aiming with the right, provide very little satfisfaction throughout the thankfully short campaign. A poorly implemented cover system has been included for reasons unknown, since enemies don’t seem to be much a challenge to take down, no matter how many the game chooses to throw at you. And there are plenty. Whether you or your other ‘expendable’ partners fall in combat, players can be revived on the battlefield by simply hovering over the body and following the on-screen prompt. Each character has a special weapon with limitless ammunition and can pick up others as enemies are dispatched. Machine guns, rocket launchers, and other goodies will be found throughout each map, and may be needed to take down heavier enemies, or vehicles.
Mashing your way through each level will net you XP. At the end of each round, you are able to spend said XP on new upgrades for your character. Upgraded movement speeds, weapon buffs, and other enhancements will cost you a pretty penny, but definitely help out in the heat of the moment.
It doesn’t take long to see where The Expendables 2 Video Game went wrong. Invisible Walls while waiting for characters to catch up with the squad, some weird camera issues, and the aforementioned shoddy controls of the game are just the beginning. Poorly integrated vehicle sequences, some really poor cut-scenes, and mildly offensive voice acting, shine the light on exactly what The Expendables 2 Video Game is, and that’s a video game that you should probably avoid.
- This article was updated on March 7th, 2018
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