Constantine Review

Overview

Released in February 2005 by THQ and developed by Bits Studios, Constantine arrived alongside the Keanu Reeves film adaptation of the Hellblazer comics. Rather than simply recreating the film's plot, the game serves as a parallel story that expands the movie's universe while incorporating elements from the comic series. As an action horror title, it positions itself between pure combat games and survival horror, creating a unique blend that sets it apart from typical licensed games of the era. The game follows John Constantine, an occult detective and exorcist, as he investigates a series of supernatural disturbances that threaten both our world and the realms beyond.

Graphics and Presentation

Constantine makes solid use of the Xbox hardware, particularly in its lighting and particle effects. The ability to shift between the mundane world and a hellish alternative reality showcases some impressive visual transitions, with environments deteriorating and transforming in unsettling ways. Character models are generally well detailed, with Constantine himself bearing a strong resemblance to Keanu Reeves, while demon designs show creative flair and attention to the source material.

The game's art direction deserves special mention, successfully capturing the noir influenced supernatural horror of the comics. Each location feels distinct and appropriately atmospheric, from rain soaked city streets to the twisted architecture of Hell. The visual effects for spells and supernatural abilities are particularly well executed, with holy light cutting through darkness and demon revealing magic creating memorable visual moments.

However, some technical limitations are apparent. Texture quality can be inconsistent, and environmental detail sometimes suffers from pop in issues. The game maintains a relatively stable frame rate but occasionally struggles during particularly effects heavy sequences. Cut scenes are well choreographed but show their age in terms of animation quality.

Sound and Music

The audio presentation stands as one of Constantine's strongest elements. Keanu Reeves reprises his role from the film, delivering a committed performance that adds authenticity to the experience. The supporting cast is equally strong, with character interactions carrying the appropriate weight for a story dealing with spiritual warfare and damnation. The sound design excels in creating atmosphere, with demonic whispers, environmental ambience, and spell effects combining to create a convincing supernatural soundscape.

The musical score effectively balances subtle atmospheric pieces with more intense combat themes. The soundtrack knows when to pull back to create tension and when to surge forward during dramatic moments. Sound mixing is generally well handled, though some quieter dialogue can be difficult to hear during more chaotic sequences.

Gameplay Mechanics

The core gameplay loop cleverly combines third person shooting with supernatural abilities and puzzle solving. Constantine's arsenal includes both conventional weapons and holy armaments, each feeling appropriately powerful against demonic enemies. The spellcasting system is particularly well implemented, allowing players to combine different magical abilities to tackle challenges in creative ways.

Combat feels weighty and impactful, with a good balance between gunplay and magical abilities. The ability to shift between realms adds both tactical depth and puzzle solving opportunities. Enemy variety keeps encounters fresh, requiring different approaches for various demon types and boss battles.

However, the camera system occasionally struggles in confined spaces, and some combat encounters can feel repetitive in the later stages. The targeting system, while functional, sometimes lacks the precision needed during hectic battles. Level design generally encourages exploration but can sometimes feel linear.

Story and Setting

The narrative successfully expands upon the film's mythology while incorporating elements from the comic series. The plot follows Constantine investigating a series of supernatural disturbances that hint at a larger conspiracy threatening both Earth and Hell. Character development is solid, with Constantine's cynical personality and complex relationships well portrayed through both gameplay and cutscenes.

The writing strikes a good balance between supernatural horror and noir detective elements, though some plot points may feel rushed toward the conclusion. The game's interpretation of Hell and its politics is particularly interesting, offering glimpses into the rich mythology of the source material.

Content and Value

The main campaign can be completed in approximately 8-10 hours, which feels slightly short by today's standards. However, multiple difficulty levels and hidden collectibles add some replay value. The game includes unlockable concept art and character models, though more substantial bonus content would have been welcome.

At its original retail price of £39.99 (now available pre owned for £12-15), Constantine offered reasonable value for fans of the franchise. The current second hand price makes it an attractive proposition for collectors and action horror enthusiasts, despite its relatively brief length.

Technical Performance

Loading times are generally reasonable, rarely interrupting the flow of gameplay for more than 15-20 seconds. The game maintains stable performance throughout most sequences, though some frame rate drops occur during particularly effects heavy scenes. The save system uses well placed checkpoints, striking a good balance between challenge and fairness.

Bug testing appears thorough, with few significant issues affecting gameplay. Occasional clipping problems and minor graphical glitches appear but rarely impact the overall experience. The game remains stable throughout, with crashes being extremely rare.

The Verdict

Constantine succeeds where many licensed games fail by offering a compelling experience that stands on its own merits while remaining faithful to its source material. While some technical limitations and gameplay issues prevent it from reaching the heights of the era's best action titles, its unique blend of supernatural horror and action, combined with strong presentation and atmosphere, make it a noteworthy addition to the Original Xbox library. The game demonstrates that with the right approach, movie tie ins can transcend their typically low expectations.

Pros

• Strong atmosphere and supernatural horror elements
• Creative spell system and combat mechanics
• Excellent voice acting and sound design
• Faithful to source material while expanding the universe

Cons

• Relatively short campaign
• Some camera and control issues
• Occasional technical limitations
• Uneven difficulty balance

Final Score: 7/10

Constantine rises above typical licensed game mediocrity through strong atmosphere and creative gameplay mechanics. While not without flaws, it offers an engaging supernatural action experience that respects its source material.

By OGXbox Archive