G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra brings back a classic franchise in a new way, letting fans of the 80’s cartoon relive their favourite moments. Developed by Canadian indie studio Maple Powered Games and published by Freedom Games, this game swaps out the usual G.I. Joe shooters for a beat-’em-up, throwing you into hand-to-hand combat with Cobra’s forces. It’s a nod to the retro games of the ‘80s and ‘90s where you fight iconic villains like Cobra Commander.
G.I. Joe has been around since the 60’s but most people know it from the animated series that became a hit in the 80’s. The game developers tap into that nostalgia, bringing familiar characters, vehicles and settings into a format that’s familiar to fans of games like Streets of Rage and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.
In Wrath of Cobra you play as your favourite G.I. Joe characters like Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett and Roadblock, fighting through waves of enemies in levels inspired by the animated series. It’s fast paced, action packed and designed to please both G.I. Joe fans and beat-’em-up fans. Let’s take a look at G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra and see if it’s as good as the 80s cartoon or not!
A Simple Story Full of Nostalgia
Cobra is up to its old tricks in G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra. The story starts off like something straight out of the 80s cartoon. Cobra Commander is shrinking down the world’s most famous landmarks and capturing them. As ridiculous as that sounds, it’s just a cover for something bigger involving clones and world domination.
You play as one of four G.I. Joe team members: Duke, Roadblock, Scarlett or Snake Eyes. Your mission is to stop Cobra’s latest scheme by fighting through levels full of enemy soldiers, vehicles, and iconic villains. The game doesn’t go too deep into the story after the opening cutscene. Once the action starts, you mostly fight your way from one level to the next, with the occasional short dialogue exchange during boss fights. These moments are brief but do bring out the classic good vs evil.
While the story is predictable and thin, it stays true to 80s cartoon series. The game is all about action rather than storytelling, so the story takes a backseat for most of the game. But, if you’re a long time fan, the throwback to Cobra’s classic plans will make you smile.
Classic Beat-‘Em-Up Action
The gameplay in G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a classic beat-em-up. You can choose from four G.I. Joe characters, each with their own moves and abilities. This adds some variety to the action and encourages you to try each character.
As you move through the levels, you fight through waves of Cobra soldiers and vehicles. The controls are simple, punch, kick, and dodge. You can also pick up guns and health packs from broken crates scattered throughout each level. The combat is fast-paced and easy to pick up and play.
The game features some defensive options, like blocking and dodging. These can help you avoid attacks, which can be useful against tougher enemies. But the combat can get chaotic at times, especially with so many enemies on screen. This results in getting hit a lot, which can be frustrating.
Levels are filled with obstacles and unique backgrounds, but can sometimes feel repetitive. Fighting the same types of enemies can get dull and boring. Boss battles against Destro, Baroness and Cobra Commander offer a nice change of pace, though some aren’t really challenging at all.
Overall, Wrath of Cobra’s gameplay is a mixed bag. On the positive side, it captures the essence of classic beat-’em-ups. At the same time, it also has issues with balance and repetition.
Bringing Back Memories with Every Detail
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra does a great job of capturing the spirit of the classic franchise. The graphics are colourful and capture the charm of the original cartoon. The majority of characters look like their animated selves, which is a nice nostalgia trip for fans. Some characters are a bit off but the art style fits the retro vibe.
The animation is smooth, allowing you to enjoy the fast-paced action without any hitches. The levels looks good with familiar locations from the G.I. Joe universe. Modern lighting effects add depth to the environments, and the details in the background are pretty impressive.
The soundtrack is catchy and matches the action of the gameplay. The music keeps you pumped as you take on waves of enemies. It’s easy to see that Maple Powered Games put a lot of effort into making sure that the music fits the style and themes of the game, giving a nod to the original 80s cartoon. The sound effects are good but there’s no voice acting except for the opening cutscene, which is disappointing.
Overall, Wrath of Cobra strikes a good balance between nostalgia and modern design. It gives you a sense of being part of the G.I. Joe world while still offering a fun experience. There are a few minor issues, but the visual and audio aspects are mostly good.
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra Is a Decent Game for Fans of the Franchise and Beat-Em-Up Enthusiasts
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is both a fun and frustrating experience at the same time. It brings back classic G.I. Joe characters in a new beat-em-up style which is new to the franchise. The game stays true to the 80’s series with a simple story that fans will like. Being able to play as four different characters is a plus and adds replay value.
However, the gameplay has some notable issues. First, the combat can get crazy and the weapon mechanics can get in the way of fun. Second, git detection and juggling can get frustrating especially during intense battles. Third, the levels are long and full of action but often feel repetitive. Fourth, the need to grind for unlockables can be a turn off for some.
Visually the game looks good with nice sprite work and modern lighting. The audio is mostly good but no voices and some awkward song transitions can be distracting.
Overall, G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a decent game for fans of the franchise and beat-em-up enthusiasts. It has a lot of action and nostalgic value. And, despite its flaws, it’s still fun. If you’re a G.I. Joe fan looking for a fun way to relive the action, G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a budget friendly way of doing so.
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra
Summary
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a trip down memory lane for for 80s G.I. Joe fans with familiar characters and locations in a beat-em-up style game. You can choose from 4 G.I. Joe heroes each with their own abilities as you fight through levels full of Cobra bad guys. The game captures the heart of the franchise with bright graphics and music but the gameplay can get repetitive and some combat mechanics are frustrating. Still, Wrath of Cobra is a fun and budget friendly ride for G.I. Joe fans.
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