Playing the levels without the Hero Mode would be easy (considering there is a auto-aim feature that shows up as a green laser beam) if the controls weren’t so lousy. The game is in an over-the-shoulder 3rd person perspective, reminiscent of Resident Evil 4. The similarities stop there, though. Where RE4 was fluid and intuitive, Bionicle Heroes is clunky and incongruous. I was constantly fighting the controls to get my aim (and bearings, for that matter) where I wanted. The left analog stick controls everything but looking up and down, which the right analog does; it sounds simple; it sounds like it should work; it doesn’t. Most 1st person and 3rd person shooters operate the same way: the left stick moves your character backwards, forwards, and to the sides (strafe). The Right stick lets you look around and aim in on your target. This unfortunate game suffers from a bad idea…it doesn’t follow the formula, a well-defined and fluid formula I might add.
The controls are horrible, no doubt about that. But the rest of the game is pretty good. The environments are really clean and well rendered and definitely give you something to look at as you circumvent the large (I should say long) levels that await you. Not only are the levels lengthy, there is indeed many of them. Players will have over 20 levels that take you through the whole island of Voya Nui, to include the jungle, the water-side, and the volcano, to name a few. Each level is unique, and as said above, will have situations that require you to have not only the right cyborg mask, but also any accompanying special abilities.
While the sound isn’t memorable, it does, at times, provide the player with a bit of guitar and horn. Also, like the other Lego themed games, there will be a bit of quirky humor and a few well done cut-scenes that will shine away some of the muck. Conversely, and considering you spend half the game in it, Hero Mode gives off this thump-thump drum beat that draws too much attention and makes you feel as if you are playing Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom over and over.
Overall, it seems as if most of the game’s expenses was put toward the visuals, but only to portions of it. The damage and explosive feedback is weak and doesn’t partake of the 360’s exceptional rendering capabilities. The controls are rather awkward – and even less intuitive. Although the game does have bursts of inspiration in the charm of the cut-scenes and quirky humor, it can’t carry the package. The game is quite lengthy, but ‘Hero Mode’ cuts down a lot of time and, ultimately, fun…invulnerability can only make you smile for so long. Ten year olds and fans of the Lego theme can probably appreciate the game, and may even be able to look past the obvious flaws, but newcomers should probably go the way of Star Wars rather than Bionicle. Either way, renting may be your best bet.
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| The Core Score |
Overall
6.5 |
| Fun |
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6 |
| Gameplay |
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6 |
| Graphics |
|
7 |
| Audio |
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6 |
| Replay |
|
6 |
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| Kid Safe Score |
| 7 Good |
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Teen. Fantasy violence, even though the Lego's explode, they only drop other Lego peices. |
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