2005 video game
Constantine
is a 2005
action-adventure game
developed by
Bits Studios
, and published by
THQ
in North America and
SCi Games
in Europe. The game was released for
PlayStation 2
,
Windows
, and
Xbox
in February/March 2005. It is based on the
DC Comics
character
John Constantine
and is a
movie tie-in license
of the Warner Bros. film
Constantine
, in turn based on
DC Comics
comic book series,
Hellblazer
from the Vertigo issues for
John Constantine
.
Tilda Swinton
,
Gavin Rossdale
and Max Baker reprised their roles from the film.
Gameplay
[
edit
]
Players move John Constantine in an RPG-like style, collecting ammo, using an item to restore health and casting spells. Gameplay is a type of third-person shooter style, with changing camera views. Players can select from a variety of weapons to eliminate demons. Cutscenes initiate special missions or boss battles when they occur, giving a round of gameplay a different view.
John can cast spells that can create lightning storms, expel demons, create swarms of flies or confuse enemies. Each requires the player to hit a sequence of keys within a small window of time, with John chanting at each keypress. The spells have been described by critics as being unimpressive, without much impact on play, making them feel like a supplement to the other weapons.
[3]
Story
[
edit
]
The game stars John Constantine, the main character from the film
Constantine
and the comic book series,
Hellblazer
, as he learns that unholy animals are somehow crossing into the realm of earth without care. He is then sent by his associate, Beeman, to investigate this problem. Along his investigation he meets up with Father Hennessy, who provides support, along with the Storm Crow spell.
The game starts out as John is called in to dispel a demon from a little girl's body in a hotel. After the exorcism is completed, the girl wakes from her hypnosis, feeling better. The screen then cuts to Beeman's office, where John is being informed about the weakened line between Hell and Earth by Beeman. John then steps into a puddle in the corner of the room, utters an incantation and winds up in Hell.
John sees people being chased and attacked by a demon, and then sees them coming for him. He, depending on the player's choice, uses his gun, the first part of the Witch's Curse set, to slay these demons. He then starts searching around Hell for the first piece of the Holy Shotgun, while seeing the horrors of Hell with his own eyes. As he searches, more souls are attacked and more demons are seen fighting against John. At a dead end, he finds the second gun for the Witch's Curse set, but is grabbed by a bird-like demon and flown through the skies of Hell. He is dropped and then is ambushed by a hoard of demons - just in front of the holding stall of the Holy Shotgun piece. He then uses the water ampoule he was carrying and gets out of Hell.
Now equipped with the Crucifier, John searches the rest of the storeroom, finding a grate that leads to the generator room. He shuts off the power and heads for the blocked area, which is filled with water. John utters the incantation and is sent to Hell.
Reception
[
edit
]
Constantine
received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to
review aggregator
website
Metacritic
.
[13]
[14]
In Japan,
Famitsu
gave the Xbox version a score of one eight and three sixes for a total of 26 out of 40.
[5]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
"What's New?"
.
Eurogamer.net
. 2005-03-04.
Archived
from the original on 2023-03-26
. Retrieved
2023-03-26
.
- ^
Adams, David (2005-02-17).
"Hell Coughs Up a Hero"
.
IGN
.
Archived
from the original on 2023-03-26
. Retrieved
2023-03-26
.
- ^
a
b
c
Sulic, Ivan (February 16, 2005).
"Constantine (PS2, Xbox)"
. IGN.
Archived
from the original on April 15, 2016
. Retrieved
June 16,
2015
.
- ^
Edge staff (April 2005). "Constantine review (Xbox)".
Edge
. No. 148. p. 99.
- ^
a
b
"Famitsu scores this week (4/15) *REAL*"
.
NeoGAF
. April 13, 2005.
Archived
from the original on April 3, 2016
. Retrieved
March 23,
2016
.
- ^
a
b
Reiner, Andrew (April 2005). "Constantine (PS2, Xbox)".
Game Informer
. No. 144. p. 120.
- ^
a
b
Ferris, Duke (March 8, 2005).
"Constantine Review (PS2, Xbox)"
.
Game Revolution
.
Archived
from the original on September 9, 2015
. Retrieved
June 16,
2015
.
- ^
a
b
Gerstmann, Jeff (February 23, 2005).
"Constantine Review (PS2, Xbox)"
. GameSpot.
Archived
from the original on June 7, 2016
. Retrieved
June 16,
2015
.
- ^
a
b
Maragos, Nich (March 1, 2005).
"GameSpy: Constantine (PS2, Xbox)"
.
GameSpy
.
Archived
from the original on March 4, 2016
. Retrieved
June 16,
2015
.
- ^
Wrentmore, John (March 1, 2005).
"Constantine - XB - Review"
. GameZone.
Archived
from the original on January 25, 2009
. Retrieved
June 16,
2015
.
- ^
"Constantine".
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
. May 2005. p. 94.
- ^
"Constantine".
Official Xbox Magazine
. May 2005. p. 82.
- ^
a
b
"Constantine for PlayStation 2 Reviews"
.
Metacritic
.
Archived
from the original on June 3, 2015
. Retrieved
June 16,
2015
.
- ^
a
b
"Constantine for Xbox Reviews"
.
Metacritic
.
Archived
from the original on December 14, 2015
. Retrieved
June 16,
2015
.
External links
[
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]