Customer Reviews

Spawn: Armageddon

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Spawn Armageddon is a mature title for the XBox, based on the comic book character. Regret and hatred is all he is made of now.

If you're not familiar with Spawn, he was originally a CIA agent who was slain when he tried to quit. He went to Hell, and made a deal with the Devil to lead their forces in exchange for seeing his loved wife again. Unfortunately for Spawn, he's sent back disfigured and without a memory, so he wears a full body outfit and only slowly remembers his past.

In the game, you start out barely remembering your wife and a burning pain. You're in New York City and an unknown attacker is causing trouble, and you decide to take it on. Soon there are legions of demons jumping through the streets for you to slay in bloody gore.

You've got a fascinating array of Hell-powers including time slowdown and chain weapons. Those familiar with the comic book tale will enjoy submersing in an atmosphere very like that world.

The gameplay is very linear and directed. You have to clear all enemies in an area before, miraculously, the way becomes clear to move on. You destroy objects near you to find health. There isn't much stealth or thought involved here. You kill, kill, destroy, and move on. Each mission gives you a rating which you can go back to try to improve. You can't save within missions - either you finish it or you have to start from the beginning again.

In between missions, you can buy ammo, upgrade weapons or in other ways enhance your character. So it really does matter to do the very best you can on a level to make sure you're ready for the next challenge.

We liked the warping effect caused by your weapons as they intersected with walls. On the other hand, we didn't like the sense of Deja Vu - that we were doing in essence the same thing over and over again. Yes, it's an interesting world - but there could have been much more variety in the levels and challenges presented.

Well worth it if you're a comic book or hack-and-slash fan, but otherwise rent rent it first to see how it appeals to you.

If you're a fan of the Spawn comic series, you'll love this game. The game virtually places you inside an issue of a Spawn comic... There is plenty of action, and plenty of familiar foes... The graphics are very crisp, and there are plenty of cool unlockables, like Spawn comic book covers... As far as the gameplay is concerned, there is plenty of action, and you can basically destroy nearly all of your surroundings in any level to gain more power-ups. This game is a must-buy if you're a fan of the comic series, or a fan of action games in general. You'll definitely spend hours playing this one, so put some time aside on your schedule. Good job, Namco...!

Being a fan of Todd Mcfarlane since he was artist for Marvel comics drawing spider-man i had to check this game out.Having only played the first two levels so far i give this game five stars for the gameplay and graphics.I love the comic covers you can collect and also the encyclopedia.A very cool videogame.

Title: Spawn: Armageddon

Description: This game is based on the popular Todd McFarlane comic that chronicles the activities of once human Al Simmons whose now turned into a sorta demon. He is Hell's answer to a "fallen angel" as Simmons uses his new powers to his own ends and seeks to make sense of the madness that is his new existence. Take on the forces of Heaven and Hell as you are in the good graces of neither. 1 player.

Platform: PS2, GC, and Xbox (reviewed)

Learning Curve: 4- This title is as expected pretty linear and in tradition (well as tradition based as the past 3 years can yield) of other linear games this one doesn't require a lot of you to get the hang of it. It is mostly hack and slash but expect to see some mobility learning with the capabilities of the cape and grappling with your chains, but still learning is pretty stress free and most of it will go into familiarizing yourself with weapon icons.

Replay Value: 3- Since this is a linear title don't expect there to be a high replay value of this title. It is a good rent for people needing their fix of the hellspawn hero, but purchase for the diehard fan isn't completely discouraged. It is now an affordable price. You can pass up a few comics this month and add this title to your collection.

Difficulty: 5- Expect to see some frustration from the bosses and sometimes you can be swamped by enemies. From what I can tell so far most of your tasks aren't time based so play should be otherwise stress free. This is a fun title for casual gaming.

Guide: There is a guide available through Bradygames for $14.99. Like all guides it is helpful, but navigating the game is pretty easy and the guide acts only to map certain difficult to find secrets of the game. For maximum fun try to find these on your own after you've completed level objectives.

Pros: Price, Nice FMVs, variety of baddies, versatile battle system for a inexpensive linear game, and very fun for casual gaming.

Cons: Suffers from normal linear title problems of replay and game simplicity, Spawn graphics in game lack a bit (Spawn looks too short and stocky,) the story lacks a bit, and the chain effects could have been better.

Time Expected to Invest: About a week to give the game a decent run through.

Retail Value: $19.99. If you do some digging you can find it for $14.99 at several stores and perhaps here within Amazon itself.

Suggested Purchase Price: Under $15 used or new.

Overall: 6- For fun factor.This game has had some horrible reviews and I think it is undeserved. I came to this title expecting a total piece of crap and to be honest I found it quite enjoyable. The gameplay isn't straight linear as it does give you the option to run back through the level to explore before moving on and there are hidden areas that you can miss if you aren't watchful. I don't think this title is worth it's original $50 price tag, but for $15 I think it's worth it. If you can find it cheap I recommend this title. The gameplay is fun so don't expect the monotony of titles like Batman: Rise of the Sin Tzu and the terrible Aquaman title. If you doubt me try it as a rental, but purchase is just slightly more expensive I say you save yourself the extra gas money and time.

If you are a fan of spawn comics or if you are into repetitive mindless button mashing, then this could be the game for you. My frustration with this game is how you had to adjust the camera angles during fight sequences. I am not sure if there is a way that this can be better done, but it made me dizzy watching it at times. I liked some of the cynical humor, especially after you beat the "violator" and he says "your my b**ch". I am also a fan of intermediate saves, which this game does not have. I wish more games would do this. Wouldn't buy, but okay as a rental.

"Spawn: Armageddon" is an action platformer based upon the "Spawn" comic series that casts you as the super anti-hero formerly known as Al Simmons. Despite a boast on the box that claims that the game's storyline is ripped from issues 1 through 99, there is very little storytelling behind the game's action. What there is describes a strange angelic weapon that bores a hole into Hell, and unleashes demons upon New York City. If it's any deeper than that, I must have missed something. At any rate, it's a good excuse to take Spawn into battle and kick some arse.

If you like your 3rd person action titles simple and repetitive, "Spawn: Armageddon" is right up your alley. That's not to say it can't be fun - it can be, in short spurts. There are a variety of cool weapons at your disposal, after all, and there are plenty of demons to be mowed down by them. The guns are cool, and ammunition is rather plentiful, but you may still find yourself relying primarily upon Spawn's chains (which launch from his belt and rip foes in half). His axe, Agony, is also a handy death-dealing device, though it offers a disappointing number of attacks. Even so, the combination of melee, semi-melee, and ranged attacks is a good one, and it sets the stage for the engaging, if not breath-taking, action.

The title's core gameplay revolves around throwing Spawn into an enemy infested arena which is sealed shut until all enemies within are slain. Only then can you progress to the next area. Those few levels that don't rely too heavily upon this basic concept incorporate platform-jumping sequences that, while forgiving, are just not that much fun. This is the basic formula, and "Armageddon" does not stray from it. The combat is interesting enough to at least keep the game moving when it might otherwise slow to a mind-numbing crawl, but the action certainly harbors wasted potential. The name of this game is repetition, repetition, repetition... you get the idea.

"Armageddon" is a slick-looking game, rife with vibrant colors and detailed character models. The sound effects aren't bad either, but the soundtrack is hideous. It's not so much because the music is grating in small doses, but instead because it plays so continuously. When there are enemies onscreen in the game, a generic, repetitive heavy metal riff kicks in... and there are almost ALWAYS enemies onscreen. I highly recommend turning the music volume down, or clicking it off entirely.

Given the game's shortcomings, its length is a mixed blessing. If you're all about replay value, "Armageddon" has virtually none, and it's a very brief game besides. Still, even if it offered several more hours of game time, would that necessarily make it better? Not really. It is what it is, and sometimes that's enjoyable. Sometimes it's not. "Armageddon" harkens back to coin-op games from years past with it frenetic but monotonous action, and if you're a fan of that (and I am) then I suggest giving it a look... but not without reservation.

Final Score: C

One of the reasons I like spawn the most is because he is not a wus like superman, and batman. Not to mention those games stunk! But, back to spawn.
___Pros___
Great graphics
tons of origional unlockable content
the most origional enemies I've ever seen
great gameplay, extreme gore
Vast selection of guns and weapons

___Cons___
Story lacking in depth

Now stop reading this review and go and buy it now!

this game is a very good game i would advise all people to get this

Please save your money and dont purchase this drek. Rent it first. Itis too late for me i spent my money and have been hosed. This game is a wretched or worse than the Playstation Spawn game. Graphics are marginal at best. it's like the original Devil May Cry with all the fun sucked out. I am a Spawn fan and that didnt even get through the 2nd level before i turned off my Xbox in disgust and it is actually difficult to get me to hate a game. THIS IS NOT A GIFT IDEA FOR ANYONE. DONT FALL FOR THE CHRISTMAS TRAP. i really wish i had something nice to say about but i dont. this game has no redeeming value.

Spawn Armageddon is hack and slash game played in the third person perspective. Similar to "Devil May Cry", you use combo moves and slash at demonic creatures with your sword/shield. You can also collect and purchase weapons like guns and magic spells. When you kill demonic creatures you can collect their souls and add to your magic or energy level. The main problem with this game are the bland level designs, repetitious action and bad camera angles.

Pros:
+good attack combos
+lots of abilities
+good controls

Cons:
-boring level design
-bad camera angles
-cheap graphics
-repetative
-weak sound fx
-junk heavy metal music
-game has a generic feel

This game is not worth buying because it just looks and feels so cheap and generic.