GAMEFURY

Chuck Norris: Bring on the Pain – Review (iPhone)

A game based on Chuck Norris seems like an impossible prospect. How do you make a game out of a man who counted to infinity (twice), slams revolving doors, and regularly plays Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun? Just the idea of such a title brings to mind the same trouble had trying to make a decent Superman game. Fortunately, Bring on the Pain succeeds at creating a fairly entertaining budget iPhone game.

The gameplay resembles old-school beat-em-ups like Double Dragon or Streets of Rage. The player enters the role of the man himself in a completely absurd world that fully embraces the Chuck Norris jokes found all over the Internet. Depending on the level, players will either be armed with a machine gun or, even more deadly, Mr. Norris’s bare fists. In addition to these basic attacks, more upgrades can be purchased with money earned from defeating enemies or picking up stars scattered around each level. While the basic controls work decently enough, with an on-screen joystick on the left and attack button on the right, the purchased special moves show some of the game’s weakness. Some of the button combinations required just don’t responded with any reliability. When surrounded by enemies, it can be quite frustrating to try a particular move multiple times. There are a few moves that do regularly work, so it is possible to simply avoid the ones that don’t, but it may take some time to figure out which is which.

Even for a one dollar game, it is still pretty short, clocking in at just over a half hour. Three difficulties and the option to replay levels to earn more money for unlockables does extend this a bit, making it worth the low price. There is also plenty of variety to the game. The adventure will take you from the jungle, through a small town in Texas, then to the streets of New York City. Each level has a few different enemy types and doesn’t repeat them more than expected. On top of the basic punching and shooting action, there are also driving, flying, side challenges, and shooting gallery segments that constantly keep the game changing. Some of the driving segments use the tilt feature of the device, but aren’t accurately explained. After some practice, you will eventually figure out how they work, but it won’t be due to the game’s lackluster explanation of the controls. This is forgivable, though, since it is a game that is meant to be played over and over in order to kill a few minutes while waiting for the bus or in line at the pharmacy.

The entire game is quite funny, but if you aren’t entertained by the Internet jokes, you won’t find anything here amusing. Loading screens contain Chuck Norris ‘facts’ and plenty of in game dialogue will keep you smiling. The entire plot is makes no logical sense, but fits the game perfectly. One random addition that will get a few chuckles is the option the take a picture of someone and import them into the game so you can beat the crap out of them instead of the in-game enemies.

The graphics are sharp and colorful, but aren’t anything that couldn’t be found in the average cell phone version of the game. In an effort to keep with the fantastical story, the developers went with a more cartoon feel. There is a bit of blood, but no real gore, keeping it somewhat kid friendly. While the graphics do the job, the sound could have been better. There isn’t much that will grab your attention and most of the music is forgettable. One level that has you flying a helicopter has no sound at all and the background music plays much quieter than in the rest of the game, which I am hoping is a glitch that is being worked on rather than a poor design decision.

While the game has a few minor problems, you will get more than your money’s worth out of Bring on the Pain. Keep in mind, there is always the chance that not buying it will anger Mr. Norris. Is one dollar really worth the risk?

Handhelds . Headline . iPhone/iPod . iPhone/iPod Reviews . iPhone/iPod Reviews | Action