Movie tie in games or games set in lore created for the big or small screen have always been somewhat of a double-edged sword. For the most part, they have garnered a bad reputation over the decades ever since the infamous E.T. on Atari literally caused the market to crash all the way back in 1982 and ever since this meager sub-genre has fired out quick cash grab after quick cash grab at the expense of quality, there are of course exceptions like the Disney classics, Aladdin and The Lion King back on the SNES and Sega Mega Drive or the glory days of Spiderman 2 back in 2004, but these are few and far between. However, what landed on my nonexistent desk intrigued me from the first look. Lovingly developed by Bithell Games and published by Good Shepherd John Wick Hex has made its way to the PS4 after its initial release on the PC back in October and is set in the world of the critically acclaimed John Wick film franchise (a testament that even Keanu Reeves, the internet’s Boyfriend would be severely pissed if you messed with his dog) is not what you would expect in terms of gameplay, a top-down, isometric, tactical action affair which brings a hell of a lot more to the table than you would expect and an art style with a dark, avant-garde, cell shaded outlook that goes hand in hand with such a grim movie franchise and at the end of the day, John Wick Hex took me by surprise but isn’t without its flaws through the 7 hours it’ll take you to complete.
Taking place before the events of the first movie, a time where an international criminal by the name of Hex has taken series mainstays Charon and Winston (voiced by Ian McShane and Lance Reddick) hostage in an act of Rebellion of crime syndicate The High Table, forcing them to put out a contract taken up by everyone’s favourite gun-toting, pencil wielding killing machine, John Wick who under our control takes down Hex’s operation one lackey and underboss at a time. John Wick Hex comes in the same vein as Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge or Knights of the Old Republic, extensions of a beloved film property’s lore only us gamers are aware of, and thanks to this all around straight forward premise and its placement within the overall timeline you won’t need to be a John Wick expert to enjoy Joh Wick Hex, although this particular title is aimed heavily toward the fanbase, and though the plot isn’t as mind-boggling as we’ve become accustomed to from our games, movies, and Tv shows, this allows Hex’s gameplay to take centre stage.
John Wick Hex boasts gameplay you wouldn’t expect. If you enter this game hoping for a run and gun, shoot first think later, murder spree you best move along because what Hex exceeds in is making the player think about each and every action and making it count with a sort of point and click layout which director – Mike Bithell has accurately described as ‘John Wick chess’ with each section you enter acting as a pseudo gameboard and John and his enemies acting as its pieces. As you point and click your way through each map rather cumbersomely you will butt heads with foes that of course need killing and you will be given a list of commands to do so depending on your position, be it shoot or a takedown to dispatch of them or pushing them and throwing your gun at them to give you some breathing room, all while keeping an eye on the timeline at the top of the screen to see if your action will give your pursuers room to attack. Even with calculated style combat still feels hectic and fast pace with each skirmish leaving you gasping for health and ammo if you aren’t careful and let me tell ya, Hex doesn’t leave bandages and magazines lying around too often and there will be times where you may need to consider taking a breather to refocus or taking to the shadows to survive, all in all, the difficulty curve is stern and rewarding and is what gives Hex substance for the most part and though each section isn’t all that expansive or lengthy you still get a sense of progress somehow. You will also be given the choice of two playstyles upon starting a new game with Operator being a more relaxed version when it comes to taking action and expedited giving you only 7 seconds to choose your next move, amping up the already substantial challenge if you choose to do so.
In terms of style and aesthetic Bithell games have gone for an unconventional approach for Hex with a brooding, cell shaded look that makes the contrast of colours really stand out and punch you square in the face but in the grand scheme lacks polish and definition along with character models with blocky, robotic movements and claustrophobic environments that almost feel like the developers didn’t make the most out of what could’ve been far more detailed surroundings but in the same breath, it’s these tight spaces that give combat its intensity. What Hex does do well artistically is its use of shadow not only to be used to your advantage but to give you adversaries a place to emerge snidely when you think your troubles are over, this along with the ambient sound bites and music is a saving grace when it comes to the atmosphere where surroundings and character models slip up. John Wick Hex also uses still images and comic book panels to convey its cutscenes akin to past games like XIII and Max Payne, a trope I’ve never been fond of but feel it somehow works in this particular title and melds in with the grit.
John Wick Hex is available now PS4, PC and macOS
Game code was provided by Indigo Pearl
