BAM! The camera swoops in to show a Crippling Strike.

Even after years of enjoying Captain America comics, we still have to remind ourselves that he pummels bad guys not with a gun, or a sword, but with a shield. The concept’s just too crazy. What’s even more surprising is that someone’s made an action game where kicking ass with this unlikely weapon is consistently fun.

In fact, combat is definitely where Super Soldier delivers most. The game — a tie-in with this summer’s Captain America: The First Avenger flick — has you parachuting into a Hydra-held castle in World War II, following reports of secret weapons experiments. Next thing you know, you’re battling a slew of Nazi and Hydra operatives. To give them the beatdown they deserve, you’ll use a fighting system that’s clearly based on the awesome Freeflow mechanic from Batman: Arkham Asylum. Cap can battle multiple attackers at once (which you’ll do much of the time) by alternately striking and rolling (or flipping) between enemies with smooth, lifelike agility. Well-timed dodges and counters build up a meter for Crippling Strikes — earth-shattering punches, kicks, or shield bashes shown in dramatic, closeup slow-mo that gets us every time. Using the triggers, you can also hurl your shield at distant snipers or other foes in first-person view.

Tactical Vision (think Arkham Asylum’s Detective Mode) makes acrobatic segments easier.

When you’re not whomping telekinetic Screamers, flamethrowing Scorchers, or other special units, you’ll often traverse parts of the castle using Cap’s trademark acrobatics — a mix of ledge-jumping, swinging from flagpoles, and wall-running that’s vaguely Prince of Persia–ish and more fun than we’d expected from a hands-on session early this year. Though the game’s technically an open-world setup, it really doesn’t feel like one given the lack of side activities (other than nabbing tons of dossiers, film reels, and other collectibles) and bland castle environments like a laboratory and an underground prison. Unless you’re Achievement-hunting like we were, you’ll want to go straight to each newly unlocked area and beat the mission objectives for a six- to eight-hour playthrough.

Beating challenge maps is just one way of earning XP, which you’ll spend on new fighting moves. This map offers a cool twist on the normal combat and perspective.

The story starts off slow but ultimately throws plenty of love to Cap fans. Boss battles pit you against Baron von Strucker, Madame Hydra, Arnim Zola, Iron Cross, and (sort of) the Red Skull; Invaders comrades Bucky, Dum Dum Dugan, and Lord Falsworth all make cameos; and Cap even gives a rousing speech at the end. Motivating words aside, Super Soldier never hits with as much force as Arkham Asylum, but for superhero fans, it’s a worthy adventure.

On Xbox 360

+ Fun mix of slick combat and spry acrobatics fits Cap perfectly.

+ Story, villains, and atmosphere combine for a solid superhero experience — better than expected from a movie tie-in (and better than this summer's Green Lantern and Thor licensed games).

- Open-world setup feels wasted; castle setting is a bit bland.

? Can we get a Batman/Cap crossover game now?

8.0