Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Hellboy: The Science of Evil drops you straight into the boots of the demon raised by humans, armed with his iconic “Right Hand of Doom.” Combat unfolds in a tight brawler style, emphasizing combos that fill a special meter and unleash devastating finishers. You’ll find yourself smashing foes with ground pounds, grapple throws, and charged punches, providing a visceral sense of power with every hit.

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Environmental interaction plays a significant role in the experience. Pipes, barrels, and even unlucky henchmen become weapons in Hellboy’s hands, letting you hurl objects or perform cinematic melee finishers. The mix of ranged and close-quarters warfare is further diversified by the Samaritan pistol, which delivers precise, powerful single shots—handy for picking off distant targets or hitting puzzle switches.

Puzzles are woven into the six-level single-player campaign, ranging from simple block obstructions to creatively using different Samaritan ammo types. One level might have you blasting cursed vines to clear a path, while another requires you to manipulate levers or disable mechanical traps. These breaks in the action prevent combat fatigue and add a light layer of environmental strategy.

Collectibles scattered throughout each stage deepen replay value and story context. By gathering relics and journals, you’ll unlock background lore about Hellboy’s world and expand his energy storage for special moves. These hidden items reward exploration, incentivizing you to comb through corners and revisit areas with newfound abilities.

Co-op adds another dimension to the gameplay, allowing Player 2 to join as Abe Sapien or Liz Sherman. Whether you’re teaming up over Xbox Live, PSN, or taking on the portable PSP version, the host controls Hellboy while a friend covers ranged support or psychic attacks. It’s a fun way to tackle tougher enemy waves and boss encounters together.

Graphics

The visual presentation leans heavily into the comic book roots of the Hellboy universe. Character models are sculpted with bold lines and exaggerated proportions, capturing that pulp-horror aesthetic perfectly. Hellboy himself sports his trademark red skin and oversized hand with surprising detail, from muscle definition to weathered textures on his coat.

Environments range from dank Nazi laboratories to ancient catacombs, each rendered with moody lighting and atmospheric effects. Fog drifts through corridors, sparks fly from breached machinery, and flickering torches cast dynamic shadows, immersing you in a world teetering between grim realism and supernatural menace.

Animations are generally smooth, especially during combo sequences and finishing moves, which flash in a burst of quick-cut camera angles. Occasionally, enemy models pop into view or texture details appear a bit muddy, especially on older hardware, but these are minor hiccups in an otherwise polished package.

Special effects—like Hellboy’s charged-punch shockwaves or the flicker of cursed plant growth—add flair to battles and puzzles alike. While the draw distance can be limited in larger rooms, clever use of set dressing keeps the world feeling full and varied. Fans of graphic-novel stylings will appreciate how the game balances comic art fidelity with real-time action.

Story

At its core, Hellboy: The Science of Evil spins a classic B-movie yarn. The villainous Hermann Von Klempt, an unhinged Nazi scientist, has concocted a grand scheme to conquer the world with his genetically engineered army, the kriegaffen. From the moment Hellboy storms his stronghold, you’re thrust into a race to thwart doomsday devices and arcane rituals.

The narrative unfolds through brief cutscenes and collectible lore entries, striking a balance between over-the-top dialogue and comic-accurate humor. Hellboy’s dry wit and occasional one-liners bring levity, while Von Klempt’s maniacal cackles remind you of the stakes. Secondary characters like Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman lend support in co-op, though their backstories are mostly hinted at rather than fully explored.

While the plot hits familiar beats—the mad scientist, the monster horde, the ticking clock device—it’s enlivened by a series of imaginative set pieces. From sabotaging a ritual in an underground crypt to facing off against giant mechanical monstrosities, each chapter feels distinct and progressively more challenging.

Collectors interested in the Hellboy mythos will appreciate the narrative easter eggs. Hidden dossiers flesh out Von Klempt’s experiments, and journal pages detail Hellboy’s internal struggle between his demonic heritage and human upbringing. It’s a modest but engaging storyline that scratches the itch for fans and newcomers alike.

Overall Experience

Hellboy: The Science of Evil delivers a solid mixture of muscle-bound brawling, puzzle-solving, and comic book flair. The six-level campaign clocks in at a moderate length, offering several hours of playtime that can be doubled if you’re hunting every collectible. Though some arenas repeat enemy types, the pacing is brisk, keeping frustration low.

Co-op play injects additional fun, especially when coordinating special moves and combo chains with a friend. The PSP version caters to portable tastes, albeit with slightly pared-down visuals. Whether you’re solo or paired up, the core mechanics remain satisfying, even if the game doesn’t reinvent the wheel.

Performance-wise, load times are reasonable, and frame rates hold steady during most encounters. A few texture glitches and occasional camera hiccups can arise, but they rarely detract from the overall enjoyment. Control responsiveness is a highlight—Hellboy’s heft never hampers your mobility, and button inputs translate swiftly into on-screen action.

For fans of comic book adaptations and straightforward beat ’em ups, Hellboy: The Science of Evil is an engaging diversion. It may not reach the narrative depth or mechanical complexity of AAA blockbusters, but its faithful aesthetic, fun combat loops, and cooperative options make it a worthwhile addition to any action-gamer’s library.

Retro Replay Score

5.3/10