Game #868: Deadpool

  It's the clone saga, Deadpool style.

 A big part about Halloween is dressing up, and people dress up as Marvel characters, so this Halloween season I also played Deadpool. Y'know, this guy used to be my favorite Marvel character before he became so mainstream and overexposed, to the point I couldn't even stand the guy anymore.

 Back in the day the game released at a budget price, and it shows... it's very clunky. And yet, it shows that the people that worked in the game really liked the character. Mind you, just as Deadpool himself tells you after looking at himself in the mirror in his house... this game leaves all of Deadpool's depth and more tragic themes aside, this is a wacky and zany game, featuring a very crazy and random Deadpool without his more serious and understanding traits. If you're cool with a flanderized version of Deadpool, then you'll most definitely enjoy the story.... even if Deadpool behaves a bit rapey at times. Still, the overall plot feels like one crazy acid-trip, and it has some honestly funny moments... although the self-referential, fourth-wall breaking references to the developer itself got a bit old after a while.

 The game is an action game through-and-through, with Deadpool having access to both melee and ranged weapons. The emphasis is clearly in the latter, as projectile shooting enemies will shred Deadpool in seconds flat if you try to get in close and ignore your guns. While you start off with his classic Katanas and Pistols, you can use DP(Deadpool Points) to purchase double Sai, Hammers, Machineguns, Shotguns and/or Pulse Rifles, as well as four types of grenades. You can use the directional pad to swap between your available equipment. Close-range weapons and guns can be enhanced by purchasing upgrades, upgrades that must be unlocked by killing enemies with the weapon itself. It's a cool system, you've loads of upgrades to get, and it's not just passive upgrades like more damage or damage-over-time effects, but also new combos and even combos that involve your guns.

 You've got a weak and a strong attack, a teleport/counter button and a double jump. The shoulder triggers are used to aim and shoot your guns and grenades. There are also super moves that you charge by landing attacks in quick succession,     shots count toward them! It's a serviceable moveset, but it kinda sucks how you get no melee lock-on, and the long-range lock-on is kinda spotty, and how most enemies have an ungodly amount of super-armor on their movest. This means that fighting big enemies turn into an unsatisfying attack-attack-teleport loop... unless you use guns. The teleport-as-a-dodge mechanic isn't so fun, since it teleports you too far away from the enemy. A more straightforward dodge or roll would've been much better and would've fit Deadpool just as well. The ranged combat, ignoring how the lock-on is a bit wonky, is a bit more fun since enemies do flinch when getting shot.

 Most of the time there are no penalties to failing the platforming sections, and that's for the best, because movement and platforming feel very clunky. As to why, well, running feels almost as if Deadpool is gliding instead of taking proper steps on the ground. It doesn't get in the way of the gameplay, but it feels as is something is off.

 Deadpool is alright, y'know? It's not very good at a technical level, but boy, does it have a lot of heart behind it. With more money and time behind it, it could've been quite good.

 5.5