Let's face it, you probably want to read a review of a Ben 10 game about as much as I want to write one. Games reviewing isn't all about the Fallouts and Final Fantasies of this world, however; and since I've taken the time to immerse myself in a world utterly bemusing to anyone over the age of nine, you can at least scan through the next few paragraphs.
Right then. For those not aware of the Ben 10 franchise, it follows the adventures of a teenager called Ben Tennyson who leads a double life, having to save the world as his alter ego, Ben 10, in one, while having to do homework and deal with confusing feelings about girls in the other.
This, I believe, was essentially the premise for 90s kids cartoon Bucky O Hare. But let's not get into that. Ben's special power, as it were, is to be able to transform into a variety of different aliens. Aliens offered to you with no explanation, and seem to exist solely for the purpose to be sold as toys (a Star Wars fan probably shouldn't moralise too much about such cynical tactics).
The ability to transform into these creatures at any point adds variety to gameplay, as you'll need to switch between giant-turtle-man and giant-dinosaur-man to navigate the game's generic platforming challenges. The turtle, for example, can hover and do a double jump, while the little alien man can make a clone of himself to hold down switches.
Action takes the form of a platform puzzler, and the game is well paced to ensure there's a decent balance between these elements. Neither are particularly fun but they're not too awful either – Cosmic Destruction excels in being utterly run-of-the-mill in most respects.
Catering as it is solely for fans, the game makes little attempt to explain its setting to newcomers – a two- or three-minute intro sequence would have been much appreciated, even if only to appease befuddled parents and game reviewers. The lack of exposition means even if Cosmic Destruction were a great game, it would still be completely alienating to outsiders. In fact, you could say it's ultimately alienating. Do you see what I did there?
The graphics are pretty poor for an HD title – natural, I suppose, when a game is ported across so many systems. The levels, too, look very drab – there's very little aesthetic flourish on offer here. Controls are decent, though combat is pretty dull – and, to be fair, members of the target audience probably aren't old enough to be playing Arkham Asylum.
Despite these misgivings, the gameplay actually isn't all that bad. It's a pretty short playthrough, but the mix of puzzles, platforming and enemy-bashing are diverting enough. Pacing is good, and there's enough of a challenge on offer to mean there's some satisfaction to be found in completing the game.
The aliens at your disposal can be upgraded using collectable points and there's a decent amount of bonus content on offer, including a short making-of documentary. These sorts of franchise titles, especially ones aimed at children, are often unforgivably lazy, and at least it feels like some effort has been made here to provide value.
The parents of Ben 10 loving kids won't feel shortchanged by Cosmic Destruction. But they won't be tempted to play. Children's cartoons and their video game adaptations probably weren't much better in my day. But I still can't help but feel that a title that has no ambitions to cater to anyone beyond a niche audience is something of a missed opportunity.
• Game reviewed on Xbox 360
