First Look: Captain America: Super Solider- The Video Game

We’re still a few months away from the July 16 release of Captain America: Super Soldier, but SEGA was nice enough to invite Review Fix to check out the latest build of the game recently at an event in New York. Although the game will launch at the same time as the film Captain America: The First Avenger, game developers were quick to point out that the game’s story, while also taking place during World War II, is stand alone and not tied in with the movie.

“Hydra has taken a castle and turned it into a factory for weapons of mass destruction,” said Christos Gage, the Marvel writer that is responsible for the game’s script. “Cap has to infiltrate and shut it down before they can be used against the American troops, but once he gets inside, he discovers that there is a lot more than meets the eye going on.”

Gage promised that, in addition to the ever-present Hydra foot soldier, gamers will get to pit Steve Rogers against the likes of Madame Hydra, the mad scientist Arnim Zola and his genetic abominations, the armored Nazi warrior Iron Cross, Hydra leader Baron Strucker, and of course, Cap’s greatest nemesis, the despicable Red Skull.

Recalling popular game environments like Batman: Arkham Asylum’s Arkham Island or Bioshock’s Rapture, the entirety of Captain America: Super Soldier takes place inside of this Hydra factory, with a variety of different areas available to explore.

The visuals are solid, with levels well-drawn and character models detailed and lifelike. Some of the animations were a bit clunky. Cap’s movements can look a little unnatural at times. His iconic shield, though, is beautifully animated, and looks awesome when being flung around the screen.

One of the central gameplay mechanics revolves around the use of a Max Payne-style slow motion system during combat that felt neither here nor there. Cap’s melee abilities, and especially his shield, were enjoyable when put to use. Cap is incredibly strong and agile, and you can feel that when playing as him.

“The moves that Cap does are all contextual to the way that he is approaching the enemy and the state of the enemy,” said Brandon Gill, game director for Next Level Games.

Cap’s attacks are augmented by his ability to use the environments to help beat down opponents. However, this platforming aspect of the title can seem a bit out of place at times, although Rogers is an accomplished gymnast.

At times, Captain America: Super Soldier almost feels like Wolfenstein or some other World War II game. What will be interesting to see in the final build is whether or not Cap’s abilities will make the game distinct enough to capture a player’s imagination.