GeekSugar

Iron Man Review: It's All About the Flying

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:01 -0700

I'll admit it, I have a geek crush on Iron Man. And, I adore his geeky-but-hot alter ego Tony Stark, who has a lab straight out of every geeks' daydreams with computers, gadgets, and hot cars (most likely equipped with some high-tech GPS) galore. Even the phone he carries is totally geek chic!

So after loving the movie enough to make plans to see it a second time with some pals – and shell out another $25 bucks including popcorn – I was pretty excited to see what they had done with the game. Although it's no secret that I'm not the biggest fan of movie tie-ins since video games based on movies are usually complete crap, there are some silver linings to this title, but not many. The movie absolutely crushed the competition and pulled in another $50 million at the box office this past weekend, but unfortunately I doubt the game will be received as well as the film. To see what I mean, read more.

As you may be able to tell from the title of this post, it really is all about the flying. When Tony takes to the skies, it's one of the most exciting parts of the film, and is probably the best feature about this game. I could fly all day! But you gotta come down to earth eventually, and when you do, it gets a bit disappointing. The graphics are cool, but movements are clunky, and the foes are kinda useless.

These days, games are intelligent and the enemy has some sort of evasion tactics where it becomes challenging and hard to shoot at them. Take Uncharted: Drakes Fortune for example. Those bad guys are a tough bunch, making it hard to beat, yet, it's totally satisfying. Iron Man's enemies however, must be blinded by the shiny suit, cause they don't put up much of a fight. . . Which is a good thing if you want to blast through the game (but you may get bored).

And although the likeness of Tony and Yen-Sin are pretty spot on even when up close (and RDJ's voice acting really does lend a great touch), the rest of the outside world seems to be missing something. Unlike Mass Effect, where you thought the landscapes could stretch on forever, the distant views in Iron Man are not as impressive. Plus, when you go from superintuitive controls while flying and attacking enemies in the air, to awkward and clunky controls on the ground, it gets a little frustrating.

All in all, Iron Man is good for a rental experience, but I doubt that you will keep it for long. Unless you just can't get enough of the flying that is, which is totally understandable! Iron Man is out now - pick it up online.

Iron Man 2 Is Coming, Hopefully With Improvements

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:00:15 -0800

It was my favorite superhero movie of last year (it was so fun), and I'm anxiously awaiting its sequel to hit the big screen next year. Heck yeah I'm excited for Iron Man 2, but I'm not sure how I feel about another video game installment, given what happened last time. You know what I mean.

I can't think of a better way to continue the fun of a movie than in video game form, but there haven't been many to write home about, Iron Man included. But hopefully, the trusty hands of Sega can pull it off this time. Announced yesterday, Iron Man 2 is definitely hitting the shelves next year and will be available on your PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, and DS consoles. Did you play the first installment of the Iron Man franchise? Do you even care about a second?

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More Robert Downey Jr. Goodness in the Iron Man Game

GeekSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:00:17 -0700

I'm super stoked for this year's blockbuster, Iron Man to hit the big screen, not only 'cause Robert Downey Jr. is one of mine and Pop's fave leading men, but because the tech and gadget cameos are sure to put me in geek overload! If you haven't seen the preview, it's packed pretty tight with geeky goodness that I'm sure you'll enjoy, plus some pretty rockin' tunes that I wish they'd offer up on Rock Band!

Thankfully, the video game will be hitting the shelves on the same day as the movie release – May 2 – so you can go from theater straight to your home console without missing a beat. But the good news is Robert Downey Jr, Terrence Howard (Lt. Rhodes) and Shaun Taub (Yin-Sin) will be lending their voice talents to the game as well. Which consoles are getting in on the action? Find out when you read more

Everyone's invited to this party! Not only is the game coming to the big hitting PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, but newbies like Wii and PSP owners can play as well. Oh, and you DS lovers? No worries, you'll get the title too!

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Get Your Game On: May Releases

GeekSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:00:56 -0700

May is yet another month packed full of movie-to-game titles that I hope (fingers crossed) will be as awesome as the films are. I've been putting in mega OT with Mario Kart and GTA IV, and I hope to add a few more to my schedule this week to give you more in depth reviews so that you can make an informed decision on which ones are worth dropping some cash on! Which games are you looking forward to? Are they not on my list? Let us know which are on your must have list in the comments below!

**New Video Game Releases (May 2008)**
Why You'll Love It	Console/Price	Release Date
Iron Man - I got a sneak peek of the film, and I'm hoping the game is as jam packed with action as the movie! Plus, with Robert Downey Jr. lending his voice, the game should transition from the big screen just fine!	XBox 360,PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, DS, PC, $30 to $60	Out today! Get it online.
Speed Racer - The film of the same name starring Emile Hirsch takes to the small screen with this fast paced racing game. Bonus - you get to use the Wii Wheel!	DS and Wii, $30 and $50	Coming May 6.
Chronicles of Narnia - Prince of Caspian - The next installment of the Chronicles has the Pevensie children traveling back to Narnia, which is ruled by an evil tyrant in this movie tie in.	Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii, DS, PC, $30 to $50	Out May 15.
Wii Fit - Not only is it one of my May Must Haves, but it's on Fit's list as well! Wii Fit is finally hitting the shelves this month after much anticipation so you can work, balance, and sculpt your way to fitness, the Wii way!	Wii Fit, $90 with Balance Board	Work it out May 21.
UEFA Euro 2008 - Players from over 50 European soccer teams that are realistically modeled? Sign me up! Not to mention that this is one game that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, just as you are when Manchester plays Chelsea.	Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, $60	Out May 19.
Myst DS - The classic PC puzzle game from the '90s comes to the DS where you figure out puzzles to unlock a mystery on a deserted island. One of my all time faves when I first started playing games!	DS, $30	Get it on May 20.

Get Your Game On: April Releases

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:30:10 -0700

The time has come for the start of the video game "dry" season. . . a gaming drought, if you will. Although there are a few games being released this month that are worthy of your time and cash - like one of my April Must Haves: Mario Kart – truth be told, some are just filler until we get to the next batch of great games. Fortunately, we had a huge Winter, and my console is still humming to the likes of Rock Band, Mass Effect (will I ever get the time to finish!?), and of course Super Mario Galaxy. Scope out my picks for this month and tell me what you think in the comments below!

**New Video Game Releases (April 2008)**
Why You'll Love It	Console/Price	Release Date
Iron Man - You may already know how stoked I am for the movie, but I'm equally excited for the game as well.	PSP, DS, PS2, PC, Wii, $40 to $60	Coming April 22
Summer Sports: Paradise Island - Virtual volleyball, darts, horseshoes, and mini golf, all in a virtual resort? Sounds virtually perfect to me! Kinda like Wii Sports, just with a lot more sand.	Wii, $40	Out April 9
Mario Kart - Not only can you race your fave characters at home and online, but add in motorcycles and a Wii Wheel to the mix and you have an awesome racing party! Just be careful - those little kids that play online can be pretty good drivers. You better practice first!	Wii, $50	Racing into stores April 27
Arcana Heart - A gaggle of eleven heroic females are fighting to save the Earth from evil at all costs. Talk about some geeky girl power!	PS2, $30	Out April 8
Let's Pilates! - I know this one is kind of a "stretch" (ha ha), but it does fall nicely into place with the upcoming Wii Fit and the DS Weight loss coach. Just getting you ready for swimsuit season!	Nintendo DS, $10	Get it April 29.

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Movie Geek Mania: What Video Game or Comic Book Do You Want to See Made Into a Movie?

GeekSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:45:36 -0700

My trigger finger for Fandango is all itchy - with so many geeky movies coming out in the next few months, I plan on being at every one of them on opening night. From Iron Man, a movie based on a comic that will be made into a video game, to the high tech-filled feature Speed Racer (which is just begging to have a video game based on it), to an admittedly not-so-geeky, but I-can-make-it-geeky movie, Sex and the City, my movie card's totally full.

It's not enough for me, though! It seems like we have to wait so long for the next X-Files movie, not to mention how bummed I am that Fanboys may not even get a theatrical release. Anyway, with all these geeky films on the horizon, I have to know: What comic book or video game are you dying to see be made into a movie?

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

More Iron Manliness!

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:00:34 -0700

I can't get enough of Iron Man previews - this older one was awesome, and so is this one below. Maybe it's the smoldering Robert Downey Jr. or the high-tech action sequences? Or maybe I'm projecting my excitement for the video game - but whatever, I know I'm seeing this on opening night (May 2^nd!). The best, geekiest line from these trailers so far? "I don't want to see this on your MySpace page!"