Summary
- Release Year: 2003
- Genres: Hack and slash/Beat ’em up
- Platforms: Game Boy Advance
- Developers: Griptonite Games
- Publishers: Encore, THQ
Daredevil (2003): A Blind Lawyer’s Leap of Faith
Released in 2003 alongside the Ben Affleck-starring film of the same name, Daredevil for the Game Boy Advance is a surprisingly faithful and enjoyable adaptation of the Marvel superhero’s comic book adventures. While the game’s graphics and gameplay may seem simplistic by today’s standards, its charming presentation, engaging story, and challenging difficulty make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the character and beat-’em-up action platformers in general.
Gameplay
Daredevil plays like a classic side-scrolling beat-’em-up, with players controlling the titular hero as he punches, kicks, and grapples his way through hordes of enemies. Daredevil’s blindness is represented by a unique sonar ability, which allows him to see the world in a black-and-white, radar-like fashion. This ability is essential for navigating the game’s many obstacles and traps, as well as for targeting enemies in combat.
In addition to his basic attacks, Daredevil can also perform a variety of special moves, such as a leaping clothesline, a spinning backfist, and a devastating piledriver. These moves can be chained together to create devastating combos, and they are essential for taking down the game’s more powerful enemies.
The game features 23 different levels, each with its own unique set of challenges. Some levels take place on rooftops, while others take place in sewers, warehouses, and even inside a moving train. Each level is filled with enemies to fight, traps to avoid, and secrets to discover.
Story
The game’s story is original and does not follow the plot of the film. Instead, it draws inspiration from the character’s long history in Marvel Comics. The story begins with Daredevil investigating the disappearance of a young woman named Karen Page. Daredevil’s investigation leads him into a web of corruption and violence, and he soon finds himself facing off against some of his most iconic enemies, including Bullseye, Elektra, and the Kingpin.
The story is told through a series of comic book-style cutscenes, which are well-written and fully voiced. The cutscenes do a great job of capturing the character’s personality and motivations, and they help to keep the player engaged in the story.
Graphics and Sound
The game’s graphics are simple but effective. The character sprites are large and well-animated, and the backgrounds are detailed and varied. The game’s use of color is particularly impressive, with each level featuring its own unique palette.
The game’s sound is also top-notch. The music is catchy and memorable, and the sound effects are realistic and impactful. The voice acting is also excellent, with each character sounding exactly like their comic book counterpart.
Challenge
Daredevil is a challenging game, but it is also fair. The enemies are tough, but they can be defeated with patience and skill. The game’s difficulty curve is well-balanced, and the player is constantly rewarded for their progress.
Overall
Daredevil (2003) is a great action platformer that is sure to please fans of the character and the genre. The game’s charming presentation, engaging story, and challenging difficulty make it a worthwhile experience that still holds up today.
Score: 7 out of 10
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
