Million-selling Ben 10 returns to DS and PSP in Alien Force
Be a 60-foot tall Humungousaur and save the world (and grandpa Max)
The kids these days. Their parents just don't tell them what to do if, when out walking in the woods, they find an alien Omnitrix lying on the ground. Don't pick it up and let it attach itself to your wrist, giving you the power to transform into a variety of alien lifeforms. Tsk.
Still as the basis for a Cartoon Network animated series turned game, it's not a bad premise, as proved by the million-selling success of the games based on the first Ben 10 TV series (although we weren't so keen on the PSP version).
Let's hope Ben 10: Alien Force is a little more imaginative.
The story sees Ben five years older. Grandpa Max has gone missing and planet Earth is in grave danger from the diabolical aliens. No change there, then.
You enter the scene with the option of eight different playable characters. Some are human. Cousin Gwen, for instance, can create an energy shield and use it to protect and attack, while enemy-turned-ally Kevin Levin's ability is absorbing materials like concrete, wood and metal to create an impenetrable shell on his body.
More interesting are the five new alien forms. Swampfire can manipulate fire, Jet Ray can fly at mach speed, Humungousaur can grow more than 60 feet tall, Spidermonkey climbs up walls (no Spiderpig, alas), while Big Chill is very cold. Needless to say, you'll need all these powers to defeat the 20 types of intergalactic invaders like the Highbreed and DNAliens.
The action itself will take place as a 3D side-scrolling action adventure, including an unlimited combo system along with puzzles and challenges, while the DS version will offer additional powers by enabling you to play as alien lifeforms such as Goop and Echo Echo.
Ben 10: Alien Force is due for release on DS and PSP sometime during the autumn.
