Publisher: Konami
Ages: seven & up
Parental
Advisory:
Violence
Based on artist Todd McFarlane's popular McFarlane's Monsters, Konami's McFarlane's Evil Prophecy brings the line of action figures to interactive life. While the fight game is generally good, it would be far more fun if players could team-up to challenge the title's story mode.
Set in the 19th century, the game lets a single player control a party of four monster-hunters, each with fighting abilities that include magic and expertise with various weapons. Players control all four hunters as they venture through six worlds and some 30 stages to save humanity from darkness and battle such notables as Dracula, Mummy, Werewolf, Frankenstein, Sea Creature and Voodoo Queen and their evil minions.
The fighting is intense and players will find themselves battling wave after endless wave of spawning bad guys. The fight segments are quite good, as are the puzzles and team-play aspects. In single-play mode, players may readily switch between characters and execute special team-combos. Generally, the artificial intelligence is adequate, but, at times, computer-controlled characters can become confused during battle.
Gamers can also play in cooperative multi-player modes (via a PS2 Multitap). Unfortunately, the multi-player activities while not bad, lack depth, and, unfortunately, multiple players can't team-up to challenge the game's story mode. This would have been lots of fun.
The game is edgy and violent and for older players. The graphics are competent and do a great job of presenting McFarlane's gory characters. In addition to the game itself, the title comes with exclusive content that includes McFarlane artwork, interviews and more.
In the end, McFarlane's Evil Prophecy offers an entertaining fight experience that will appeal most to fans of the comic book artist. And if you're looking for a fantastic multi-player experience, this is not the game to buy.
7/7/04 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
