G.I. Joe doesn’t really get much treatment in the video game world, does it? Sure, there’s the classic Konami arcade game that resembles its 3D shooter Devastators; and there are a couple of NES games that are pretty good. But the last mainstream game we saw in the series was based on the first film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, which was a decent arcade shooter, but a little low on complexity.
Now we have Operation Blackout, the new game from GameMill Entertainment that’s based more on the general franchise, and not specifically the TV show or the movies. That works more in its favor, as it allows the game to really open up its character roster and lets players enjoy several favorites on both the Joe and Cobra sides. But does that do enough to entertain fans?
Well, kind of. It doesn’t take too many risks, opting for a general third-party shooter experience. But it’s not too shabby either, provided you’re not looking for something with the complexity of, say, Gears of War.
The Story’s a Bit Weird, But Fits the Bill
In the game, Joe finds themselves under attack by Cobra, and you’ll actually play a little bit of both sides as it goes on. Somewhere along the way, the heroic group ends up disbanded, with
Cobra Commander suddenly becoming the President of the United States. No, we don’t get it either. But it’s your job to reunite the group and save the day.
The story’s cornball, sure, but it’s aligned nicely with what the Joe franchise is all about. And it’s not all straight-faced either, as the dialogue is sure to put a few smiles on faces. And yes, there’s plenty of “Yo Joe!” to go around, so don’t sweat that.
As for how the gameplay operates, it’s by general rules. The third-person shooting is accurate and, more importantly, entertaining over the long haul. But, again, there’s very little distinction between characters, save for some of their attacks and their “ultimates,” in which they unleash a special screen-clearing technique that could use charging up. Outside of that, well, it’s a bit odd that no particular favorites come to mind. Save for Snake Eyes, obviously. Because he’s Snake Eyes.
The single player campaign is short but sweet, clocking in at around six hours. And there’s multiplayer as well, though a bit on the limited side compared to what other games have to offer. Sadly, it’s local only, so unless you’ve got friends around that dig G.I. Joe, you might want to take a pass.
Joe’s Got The Visuals
While G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout won’t blow you away with overwhelming next-gen visuals, it suits the bill when it comes to the theme involved. The characters look pretty good and have
solid animations; and the backdrops and level designs are pretty good, albeit a bit straightforward. The other little effects are nice, and the comic book-style cinematics, though cheaply done compared to animated ones, aren’t bad. There are also some inspired character skins here, including ones inspired by the show.
The dialogue’s okay, and the heroic music that plays throughout the game is definitely Joe speed. However, again, it just feels like a blueprint was followed here, instead of Operation Blackout taking any risks. Even boss fights usually end with a character running away, instead of someone getting their just desserts or doing something earth-shattering. It’s very kid-safe, for better or for worse.
Yo Joe or Yo No?
How you feel about Operation Blackout really depends on the love of the franchise. If you don’t care for Joe, you’re likely to pass by this without missing anything. However, fans that have been waiting for an experience may not be overwhelmed by what’s here, but not disappointed either.
What it lacks in risks and doing something different or for the better, G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout makes up for with silly action, a good story and a not-bad presentation. And it’s only $40, making it an easy purchase for parents that want their kids to enjoy a good action game.
Yo Joe indeed.
Available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
