Fantastic Four (PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox)

The FANTASTIC 4 maintains the premise of the comic book series and movie: Four astronauts gain special powers after an outer space explosion bathes them in cosmic rays. What begins as the Fantastic 4's efforts to find a way to return to their status as ordinary human beings becomes a mission to save humanity as they travel the globe, tracking down pieces of meteorite and battling all who try to destroy them. Initial missions occur on the space station prior to the explosion, and players experience the 4's transition superheroes. Subsequent missions unfold as the Fantastic 4 come to terms with their new abilities

You'll play as one character until you meet up with another member of the team, adopt that identity, and continue the game. For the big bosses of the game, the whole team fights together. During these segments, you may play whichever character you choose in whatever order for as long as desired.

The major drawback here is that the perspective is a bird's-eye view from above. With as many 10 characters brawling on the screen at once, it's difficult to see what's happening. Also, you use the same techniques to destroy all enemies (robots, mutants, and insects). When you are surrounded by five kicking and punching robots that are constantly getting up for more punishment, you'll be reminded of those cheesy kung-fu movies where nobody ever gets hurt.

The scenarios you will encounter are diverse enough. Action takes place in outer space, in Reed Richard's house, various laboratories, the sewers, on rooftops, slums, and in one place far below the earth that's hard to describe: a crystalline, cosmic ray world with lots of pink. Aside from the scenery, nothing about the game is spectacular, but the game is fun enough, especially for fans of the movie or comic, and parents should note that it is relatively harmless.