Constantine Preview

On February 18, the journey of John Constantine hits the big screen starring Keanu Reeves. During that same time, game players will be able to take on the role of Constantine in the THQ/Bits Studio release of Constantine for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Constantine, on the Xbox, was one of the titles THQ showed at the Gamer's Day held January 26 in San Francisco. GameZone was on hand and got a brief hands-on preview of the title.

Both the game and the movie trace the same plotline, Constantine – who is all too familiar with the world of demons – teams up with a Los Angeles police detective to solve the mysterious death of her sister. The path leads them through the worlds of demons and angels.

Constantine, the game, plays out like a third-person adventure with a quality of action thrown in for good measure. The levels are built like mazes, with tunnels and puzzles to be discovered and solved. Those familiar with the Vertigo/DC Comics tale of John Constantine know that his arsenal of weapons are somewhat unusual and geared for encounters with demons that he knows he will meet. He has the Holy Shotgun, which appears as a typical shotgun with a cross attached but the spray from the gun hits in a cross form. Moses Shroud, Holy Water Bombs and the purger are also part of his arsenal.

The game on display at the THQ even was not exactly intuitive. The levels were challenging, and the game has two viewpoints, third-person from about six feet behind John, and third-person from over his shoulder. The game does carry its atmospheric theme heavily into each of the levels, and this game does not appear to be geared for those who are uncomfortable with the though of demons popping up and trying to devour more than souls. Graphically the game was solid, with fluid animation.

The movement controls are tied to the thumbsticks, and the levels available were mostly linear in nature. You move through the labyrinth until you find the right egress to the next portion, battle when you must, but be ever mindful of everything around you.

This licensed title will likely appeal to shooter fans that look for a bit of an adrenalin rush in an adventure into the unknown. The Constantine Vertigo/DC Comics books can be quite graphic, and there was no indication in this preview whether the game will tread the same ground.