Squad to Attention: Hands on with G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra DS

Yes, it's a game based on the big budget live action film due out in August. But it's also a game being developed by handheld specialist Backbone so that doesn't mean it can't be good.

We got our hands on G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra thanks to a EA development cart, which seemed fairly complete, although there would be time for Backbone to tweak the game before release.

The action starts with you taking the role of Heavy Duty, the team's ordnance expert. He's guarding The Baroness who, of course, immediately escapes thanks to some teleporting alien creatures. This is the tutorial level though, so the action is fairly easy.

Viewed from the topdown perspective on the top DS screen, the game reminds us of classic arcade titles such as Commando as you rotate and move around using the D-pad and hold down B to fire your primary weapon.

The A button is used as a dodge and you can hold it down to get a sprint boost, which isn't particularly useful when you're playing as Heavy Duty, but is excellent for our favourite character, sword-wielding ninja Snake-Eyes.

Other controls include Y for firing your secondary weapon: Heavy Duty drops mines for example. X is used for a melee attack and to exit/enter vehicles and turrets. You can auto crouch behind objects by pushing against them.

On the bottom DS screen, there's a map and lots of dialogue as Metal Gear Solid-style intel is piped in from other members of the team in terms of changing objectives and the like.

Building up some light tactical options are the action tokens that all enemies drop. You collect these to fill up your special ability meter. Once full, you can press the right shoulder button to trigger your character's special move. Each character has their own move with examples including increased rate of fire, one-shot kills, invulnerability, and aerial bombardment.

Indeed, each member of the squad has their own attribute stats, ranging from strength to firepower and speed. In terms of the overall game, you can choose between six G.I. Joe characters for the main game mode, although two start locked. Aside from Heavy Duty and Snake-Eyes, your other default options are the all-round general purpose Duke, and the weak but fast Scarlett

Neatly, these characters will also act as extra lives in the main mode, should your main character run out of health and 1-Up life tokens.

In terms of the gameplay, the missions are fairly straightforward, with sub-objectives - such as destroying anti-aircraft missiles, or computers - and an overall 'get to the end of the level' goal.

To do this, you'll have to take on dozens of generic enemies, who will continue to spawn from their barracks until you destroy them. Harder opponents include mini-turrets and vehicles, plus various sub and main Cobra bosses.

The game has several multiplayer modes too, including Team Battle, a Capture the Flag mode called Warhead, and Defend the Base. Up to four players are supported and character choices are extended with the addition of five Cobra baddies.

It's hard to say whether the game will appeal to people aside from the success of the film though. Everything was certainly functional, and playing three or so levels as Snake-Eyes - who turns invisible when you dodge - was fun. But in the way of such licences, your interest in buying and completing G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra looks likely to hinge on how popular the film is.

We'll find out how bothered we are about G.I. Joe and Cobra, when the game is released at the end of August.