DESIGN

This is arguably the most important aspect of Bionic Commando due to the advent of the bionic arm and how it’s implemented into the platform and action sequences. Unfortunately, this is where Bionic Commando truly fails. The crumbling, post-explosion rubble of Ascension City seems like a proper setting for your bionic arm, but the design is immensely flawed in that your movement is incredibly restricted. The city appears to be “open” but as you travel the various roads and buildings you’ll find that the developers have given you one linear path to each checkpoint. Not to mention each section of the city you’ll play ends and begins in a tunnel. Both water zones and radiation zones restrict your movement throughout the levels, never allowing you much freedom of choice on how to approach enemies and checkpoints. Another design flaw is in the checkpoint system itself. Checkpoints are determined not by new areas, or cinematic sequences, but by clearing enemy spawn points. One of the only positive aspect of the design is that you can grapple almost any surface you see with your bionic arm, which does allow you some freedom to maneuver the linear paths in your own way.

GAMEPLAY

Bionic Commando’s gameplay mainly consists of grappling and shooting, sometimes separately, sometimes at the same time. There are segments of the game that are strictly platforming. These segments are the most tedious sections of the game, resulting in the most deaths, especially in the beginning when you’re trying to get used to the awkward controls. There are a slew of on foot shooting missions, although grappling can be implemented and taken advantage of during shootouts. One of Bionic Commando’s only bright spots is the use of the multiple uses of the bionic arm during enemy encounters. However the enemy AI is incredibly weak, resulting in incredibly easy firefights. Herein lies Bionic Commando’s problem within its gameplay; the shooting missions are tremendously easier then the platforming missions, and the game never finds a proper balance between the two. There are some varying environments that you’ll encounter including a cave system, and a jungle, but most of the action takes place in the rubble of Ascension City.

PRESENTATION

Bionic Commando’s environments are definitely its best graphical attribute. They are rendered well, and showcase some decent texture and lighting effects. In saying that the character graphics are a little less impressive, the models are rough and the animations of the enemies often appear very jagged. Overall the graphics are decent enough for a next-gen title, but underwhelming as a whole. Sound wise the game is also unimpressive as a generic techno rock track plays out during many enemy encounters, while a pseudo symphonic track plays over the platform missions. Gunfire from both enemies and commando sound very weak, even the grenade and rocket launchers have no real feel of power behind them. Bionic Commando’s presentation is passable, but sorely lacking when compared to most next-gen titles.

FINAL WORD

Overall, Bionic Commando is a dissapointment, The graphic and sound presentation is subpar, especially coming from a company as well regarded as Capcom. (GRIN developed it) The bionic arm is implemented poorly by bad controls and weak level design. Although it can be fun and challenging at times, the game never finds a proper balance in it’s execution resulting in a less then stellar final product.
Rating: 2 / 5