Most superheroes are viewed upon as icons for the examples that they set in the minds of their fans. Heroes like Spiderman, Superman and Batman have always emphasized their goal of thwarting plans of evil. They stop injustice wherever it is most apparent and somehow they always make it home in time for dinner. While most superheroes follow that same mold, others have taken a different approach on good versus evil. Some heroes have to fight the evil within them so that they don’t become what they try so hard to stop. So what happens when developers attempt to translate a superhero icon into a video game? Well usually it falls flat and makes it on the list for the worst games of all time. But there are usually a few small exceptions. The Incredible Hulk for the Game Boy Advance is an example of that type of exception. While this game isn’t perfect by any means, it still provides a worthwhile experience for any gamer who is bored during those long “family” car rides. What stands out most about this game is that it doesn’t take the route of its console brothers. While the console versions of the game take place in the movie universe of The Hulk, the Game Boy Advance version revolves solely around its comic book source material. This was a very wise decision, since most games based directly on movies have failed miserably in the last few years (and a recent exception to that rule would be the surprisingly good console versions of The Hulk).

    The plot line of this game sticks close to the comic book roots. A scientist named Bruce Banner is exposed to experimental gamma radiation while attempting to save the life of another. What separates Bruce Banner from most superheroes is that his superpowers are triggered by rage and anger, not by the flick of a button on a utility belt. This aspect of the Hulk is what makes him a more interesting and deep character than most of his superheroes neighbors. It makes you believe in him in certain ways. In the game, the Hulk is up against “Thunderbolt” Ross, a General in the U.S. Army. Ross believes that the Hulk is a threat to humanity and doesn’t look at him as being anything close to human. The story is told through picture stills that retain the look and feel of the comic book. The plot surprisingly deep for a Game Boy Advance action game, and would please most fans of the comics. The Hulk faces many adversaries in his adventure including Tyrannus and the sinister Abomination.

    The game is broken up into sections which are essentially 33 stages. The game can be called a mix between an adventure game and an action game. You are sent on missions by Bruce Banner who lurks inside the subconscious mind of the Hulk, and most of the missions are quite entertaining. While some of them can be the commonly repetitive “destroy 3 (insert item here)” missions, the game makes it more fun than it initially sounds. It also helps to break up the sometimes constant brawler action that tends to get on some peoples nerves. Army men seem to pop out of nowhere sometimes but this isn’t supposed to be a game focused on realism (from what I am told at least). The powerups and special abilities are very entertaining to use on most of the levels and the ability to destroy your surrounding environment is also a blast. Several puzzles are located throughout the game, and while they aren’t difficult to complete, they still provide a great break in the action. The game is played from an isometric view and while this has plagued many games in the past with control issues, it doesn’t beat the game down as much this time. It can be difficult to navigate around at first but it does become easier as the game progresses. The biggest surprise would be the length of the game. The game will take around 33 hours to complete and a bit less for more seasoned gamers. The only problem this presents is that the levels are sometimes too long. While it was great that they added a save feature in the game, it would have been even better to include a save anywhere option. But then again, that may have altered the challenge of the overall game. They even have a multiplayer mode included in the game for those with link cables. While it isn’t anything ground-breaking, it adds a little extra fun into the package. Control and length issues aside, the gameplay is your average brawler with a little spice added into the mix. The surprisingly deep story and interactive environment are excellent perks.

    The visuals in The Incredible Hulk aren’t anything special, but they sure are better than some of the garbage that has been released in the past few months. The animations are definitely where this game stands out. The Hulk moves fluidly throughout the environments and so do many of the enemies. It would have been better if there had been more variety in the Army characters or even some of the later adversaries. The bosses are done very well also and they are presented very close to the way the comic book did. The environments are also done quite well. There are interactive elements located throughout the game and some of them are integrated so well into the environments, you won’t even know you can pick them up. The interior textures and color schemes can become a bit bland, but the outdoor environments are where the variations in color can be found. Deserts, labs and airports make up the beginning locales of the game and the ones that appear later are even better. So while the graphics aren’t the greatest thing to hit the Game Boy Advance scene, they still pack a big enough punch.

    The audio presentation in this game is executed very well. The sound effects can become repetitive at times but as with most action games; you’re not here for the sounds of the punches. The soundtrack is what really shines. It has a somewhat overly dramatic touch too it, but it is done so well that it will sometimes make you forget that you’re playing a portable system. It would have been better if the comic book narrative scenes had been more alive, then the sound effects could have been put to better use. Luckily for all those Hulk fans out there, you will hear the green wonder many times throughout the game with his grunts and signature quips. The music during boss battles and the narratives is where most of the originality shows, and the music during the cut scenes retains the upbeat campy type of music that comic books seem to attract. Overall the audio presentation is a tiny sliver of icing on an above average cake.

    So, would I recommend The Incredible Hulk to all those gamers who have been waiting for a faithful video game adaptation of their favorite comic books? In fact I would. This game is nothing innovative and it’s certainly not the best type of entertainment available, but this game is surprisingly deep and it’s very fun. Deep and fun added with a long play time will ensure the happiness of many gamers for quite awhile. So while you wait on extremely long lines to get your tickets to what will probably end up being the biggest blockbuster event of the summer, pull out your Game Boy and play this game. You will not regret purchasing this if you are a casual gamer looking for some entertainment on the side. Not perfect, but a fun game and that is what matters these days.