G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra for Nintendo DS attempts to capture the essence of the beloved franchise, but falls short in many areas. As a third person action-arcade shooter, it allows players to relive iconic moments from the film, cartoon series, and action toy line. While the game's story picks up where the film ends and draws inspiration from 45 years of G.I. Joe history, it fails to deliver a captivating and engaging narrative.
One of the game's redeeming qualities is its co-op feature, which allows players to team up with a friend and bring in other G.I. Joe characters for support. With 16 playable characters to choose from, including unlockable Cobra characters, there is a diverse range of abilities and weapons at your disposal. Fans of the franchise will be pleased to see familiar faces such as Snake Eyes, Duke, and Scarlett.
However, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra lacks the polish and attention to detail that would truly make it stand out. The graphics are underwhelming, failing to fully capture the nostalgia of classic games. The gameplay mechanics are clunky and the controls often feel unresponsive, making for a frustrating experience.
The inclusion of high-tech gadgets like the Accelerator Suit, which provides temporary invincibility and increased firepower, attempts to add depth to the gameplay. Unfortunately, these additions only serve to distract from the lackluster gameplay mechanics and fail to fully enhance the overall experience.
Furthermore, the game's difficulty levels cater to players of all ages and skill levels, but this approach ultimately detracts from the challenge and depth of gameplay. With only 20 levels spread across four environments, the game feels repetitive and lacks the longevity that would keep players coming back for more.
Despite its shortcomings, there are hidden collectibles throughout the game that offer some additional content, such as unlocking extra playable characters, special missions, and PSAs. While these extras may provide a brief jolt of excitement for dedicated fans, they are not enough to redeem the overall lackluster experience.
In conclusion, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra for Nintendo DS falls short of capturing the essence and excitement of the beloved franchise. While the game attempts to deliver a nostalgic experience with its familiar characters and references to G.I. Joe history, the lackluster graphics, clunky gameplay mechanics, and unresponsive controls hinder its potential. As a seasoned retro gaming enthusiast, I find it difficult to recommend this title, as there are far better options available for fans of the G.I. Joe franchise and retro gaming enthusiasts in general.
