|
|
|
GREEN LANTERN: RISE OF THE MANHUNTERS (PS3)
|
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Developer: Double Helix Games. Released: June 2011. Genre: Action. Other versions: X360; WII; PC; 3DS; DS. Posted 15th April 2025. By Shane Battams © 2025 |
|
Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters seemed an easy write-off on the surface. Arriving just before the superhero movie tie-in would fade into obscurity, and based on one of the most critically disliked films of the 2010s, there was nevertheless some intrigue surrounding its titular hero. A character who conjures his armoury using his thoughts, Double Helix Games would be afforded more creative options in comparison to other DC tie-ins of the time. Unfortunately, the Emerald Knight’s debut game makes little use of these imaginative weapons, instead sticking Hal Jordan in a rote, predictable beat ‘em up that lacks memorable fights, moments or narrative highs.
Loosely tied to the 2011 cinematic bomb known as Green Lantern, Rise of the Manhunters places Ryan Reynold’s Hal Jordan into a side story concerning the invading Manhunters, a robotic race of killers looking to execute the Green Lantern corp and the guardians who cast them aside. Alongside Kilowog and Sinestro, Hal looks to repel the invasion while using interstellar travel to help other planets in need. Though utilising cast members from both the film and animated movies, it’s a boring narrative, undermined by poor cut-scenes that flit between being dishwater dull and confusing. While a direct retelling of the film would likely have been worse, you can’t help but feel a lack of focus squanders this tale.
Not quite a film tie-in, Rise of the Manhunters is sadly a middling title that makes uninspired use of the Green Lantern license
Across ten chapters, players guide the titular hero across several levels of beat ‘em up brawling along with a small selection of on-rails shmup battles. The objective is usually to blast anything in sight, but occasionally there are pace-changing puzzles which force you to utilise Hal’s assortment of imaginary armaments to open a path. As you progress the story, you earn a selection of weapons, but most are gained through XP from defeated foes. You can buy upgrades to improve Jordan’s stats, upgrade the Ring Surge which is a sort of ultra-mode with infinite power and buy new Constructs, the fun tools you can use to take out the Manhunters. These include conjuring a baseball bat to swing back projectiles, a cluster of pistons and even a fighter jet which, after firing up, can be thrown to deal massive damage. You’d think with these powers, Rise of the Manhunters should be fun.
Unfortunately, these positives are dampened by the rest of the gameplay. The opening level showcases the errors perfectly: a straightforwardly designed, linear brawl seeing you fight waves of the same robots, over and over again. You’re even forced to disable a handful of towers in the same dreary fashion. The game never really develops, as while a different set of enemies appears later on, there’s nothing dynamic or evolving about Green Lantern’s gameplay. Large boss fights seem like a great change of pace, but they feel a tad cheap at points with large attacks that prove hard to avoid. At least they often end with exciting quick-time events. The last piece of the mechanical puzzle is the shoot ‘em up stages, admittedly these are perfunctory and not very challenging. Being able to Ring Surge into a fighter jet and blast foes with lock-on missiles is cool though. However, nothing about Rise of the Manhunters feels unique or fun, aside from the Constructs, which are wasted here.
Unfortunately, these positives are dampened by the rest of the gameplay. The opening level showcases the errors perfectly: a straightforwardly designed, linear brawl seeing you fight waves of the same robots, over and over again. You’re even forced to disable a handful of towers in the same dreary fashion. The game never really develops, as while a different set of enemies appears later on, there’s nothing dynamic or evolving about Green Lantern’s gameplay. Large boss fights seem like a great change of pace, but they feel a tad cheap at points with large attacks that prove hard to avoid. At least they often end with exciting quick-time events. The last piece of the mechanical puzzle is the shoot ‘em up stages, admittedly these are perfunctory and not very challenging. Being able to Ring Surge into a fighter jet and blast foes with lock-on missiles is cool though. However, nothing about Rise of the Manhunters feels unique or fun, aside from the Constructs, which are wasted here.
|
|
It's at least a game you can finish quickly. Its ten stages will likely take between eight and ten hours to beat, depending on the difficulty you choose. Emerald Knight, the hardest setting, will definitely trip you up in spots, especially against bosses, though the moment-to-moment gameplay isn’t that hard. Fully upgrading Hal will likely take a partial second run, but perhaps more interesting is that the entire game can be played in co-op. While it’s awkwardly implemented, seemingly thrusting Sinestro into levels despite him contacting you remotely only moments before, it’s nevertheless a fun addition that lets you combine your attacks and powers while retaining pace with performance. Though the lack of online co-op is sad, it’s still worth bearing in mind.
As expected of a movie tie-in, Green Lantern is hardly a looker. Nothing is inherently bad, and seeing Ryan Reynold’s face and hearing his take on Green Lantern may be a plus to some, but levels are mutely coloured and flatly rendered, enemy models repeat incessantly and animations aren’t the best. The sound is a bit better, with an orchestral soundtrack that tries desperately to add some bombast to this middling game. Potent effects feel natural to the Constructs you use and the voice acting is acceptable, if a little dull.
As expected of a movie tie-in, Green Lantern is hardly a looker. Nothing is inherently bad, and seeing Ryan Reynold’s face and hearing his take on Green Lantern may be a plus to some, but levels are mutely coloured and flatly rendered, enemy models repeat incessantly and animations aren’t the best. The sound is a bit better, with an orchestral soundtrack that tries desperately to add some bombast to this middling game. Potent effects feel natural to the Constructs you use and the voice acting is acceptable, if a little dull.
|
|
Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is the definition of mediocrity: a thoroughly straightforward beat ‘em up that lacks distinction, internal innovations or memorable encounters. While the Emerald Knight’s slew of unique constructs sometimes proves fun to use, they feel wasted on action that is light and uninteresting. It doesn’t add much for fans of the DC icon, with a messy narrative and uncertain direction leaving it to wander aimlessly. Unless you’re desperate for a super-powered beat ‘em up, this one is an easy pass.
|
|
VERDICT"In brightest day, in blackest night, Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is the definition of mediocrity, suffering from a lack of distinction, internal innovations and memorable encounters." OVERALL: 5/10 |
OTHER GAMES WITH SUPERHEROES REVIEWED
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis (2003, GameCube)
|
Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009, PlayStation 3)
|