Silicon Fusion >> Reviews >> Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

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Review:

27th January 2004:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The film was great in a 'wow, I did not know that was possible on screen' kind of way. But can the game capture the atmosphere and still remain playable?
Posted by Chris Barnett - PlayStation 2 - UK and Europe

When a film is good because it is stylish, then a game adaptation of the film must capture that style in order to be a true child to it. So when a film such as 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is made into a game it is always going to be difficult to capture the uniqueness of it. And this game feels that it is trying so hard to be good that it actually spoils the experience.

The first thing that you must get clear is that the game is not a standard one-on-one figher. Instead it is more of a multiple opponent beat-em-up with the dynamics of a one-on-one fighter. But that would make it sound okay, so it is notable to mention that it is not very good as a one-on-one fighter. In fact, it is quite poor.

The controls are quite simple and easy to grasp: two weapon controls and two melee controls. These controls are perfectly suitable for the game too as all that is required is a memory for the use of counter attacks, since the whole game centres around them. The combat throughout takes the pattern of an opponent's attack requiring a block, followed by a counter attack on your part. And that is pretty much the whole basis of the game.

The problem with the whole game is that it feels way too simple for the average gamer. The animations of the moves is very impressive and authentic to the movie, but they are all repeated so many times due to the same techniques being repeatedly used.

The story to the game follows that of the film, with a few liberties taken to make certain characters more interesting than they are (since they are playable, therefore they need more 'meat' to their plights). For those who are not familiar with the story to the film (you ask anyone who has seen the film what the story is and they will probably give you a blank look as they simply 'miss' it amongst all the flying moves and subtitles) here is a brief summary:
Li Mu Bai is a great martial artist who has a legendary sword. This sword is stolen by an unknown female, setting of a quest to regain the sword as many try to get their hands on it.

Although you play as only one character at a time, you can play through the game as any one of four (two have to be obtained through completion). Each has their own set of moves, and all of them look the part. This does add a little life to the game, but the different characters are quite similar in their controls, and the story is the same, be it from a mirrored perspective. This is quite unavoidable as once the game dynamics are set, you cannot alter them to suit a different character.

Aside from counter attacking various moves, all there is to do is wander around landscapes that are based on those from the movie. This is fairly boring as they are not very full of life. They are well represented in terms of graphics and authenticity, but they are not full of blowing leaves and bushes, which is a missed opportunity after their prominence in the film.

The whole game is a missed opportunity in fact, and one that will only remind you to see the film again sometime soon.

Chris Barnett

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Review Summary:

A fighting game that tries to be the film, yet it is not even worthy as a trailer for the film.

Related Games:

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
for PlayStation 2

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