[An on-going Metromix column examining the cross-section of movies and games.]

REVIEW: “The Incredible Hulk”
Rating:
Publisher: Sega
Available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, DS, PC
Reviewed on: Xbox 360

While the makers of the new “Incredible Hulk” movie are doing what they can to distance it from the green guy's last biopic, the makers of this new “Hulk” game seem to be doing what they can to connect it to his last game, 2005's mindless but addictive “The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.”

Like that game, the straight-forwardly titled "The Incredible Hulk" takes a “Grand Theft Auto”-esque open-world action game approach. They just replace the gunplay and driving with punching and smashing, while making the entire world destructible and, in some cases, weaponize-able. Though it combines the movie's plot with stories from the comics, most of your playing time is actually spent Hulk-smashing things, tearing up buildings and vehicles, and then using the remains to destroy even more things. Oh, and crushing humans, puny humans.

The game actually isn't as redundant as that makes it sound, though, as the Hulk has a number of different ways to smash, and a number of different enemies trying to stop his smashing, including some humans who ain't that puny. While it does suffer from some minor technical glitches (some buildings are oddly resistant to fists, and there are times when the inexact map makes it hard to figure out where you're heading), nothing really stops this game from being a blast—sometimes literally.


HEADLINES:
Call of martini: Activision's upcoming James Bond game, based on Bond's next adventure "Quantum of Solace," will be made by Treyarch, the studio who made the Spider-Man movie games. The game will use the same technology as Activision's first-person shooter "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare," one of last year's best games. Activision hasn't announced whether the "Quantum" will follow a similar format, but considering one of Bond's best games was the first-person shooter "Goldeneye," we're feeling optimistic.

Mummy issues: Sierra will release a game based on the upcoming sequel "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon" on July 22, a week before the film's August 1 release date. The game is being developed for the Wii, PlayStation 2, and DS.

Saints anger: Though they're keeping mum on who will join the cast, THQ revealed that several actors will reprise their voice roles in the "Saints Row" sequel, due out August 26 on the 360 and PS3. Among the returnees are Michael Rapaport ("True Romance"), Daniel Dae Kim ("Lost") and Keith David (“They Live").

One game to rule them all: Returning to the Shire one more time, EA will release "The Lord of the Rings: Conquest" this fall. Modeled after the massively multiplayer series "Star Wars: Battlefront," and slated for the PS3, 360, PC and DS, the game will let you choose sides in the battle to destroy or reclaim the ring. Though no casting has been announced, developers Pandemic have revealed the game will feature narration from one of the cast in character and Howard Shore's original film score.

Quiet storm: At a recent event, Konami unveiled the latest installment in their movie-inspiring "Silent Hill" series, "Silent Hill Homecoming," due this September. They also mentioned that a second movie is in the works.

Get a preview of the car chase game "Wheelman," starring Vin Diesel.

Check out images from "LEGO Indiana Jones."