The really interesting part about this title is that you play it like an actual video game in a diner, released by Veidt Industries.  The game itself is basically a Final Fight-style sidescrolling fighter, where you get to play as either the original Nite Owl or the original Silk Spectre.  You roam the streets of New York pounding a whole bunch of similarly-dressed thugs and eventually working your way up to a none too difficult fight with Moloch himself.

As a game, it’s not much.  But as a concept, it’s kind of nifty.  It’s the kind of thing that could be fairly easily included as a DVD-ROM option, or maybe even as a straight DVD option.  Considering you only have maybe seven buttons to work–punch, kick, jump and move in four directions–a DVD remote could probably handle it.  Anyway, give it a try–the price is right, and it’s a sufficiently nifty concept to entertain for at least a few minutes.

So you want to be a hero? Well if you are among the millions of fans awaiting the release of the popular movie taken from DC comics’ “Watchmen”, you can thank Glu Mobile Inc. for letting you have a feel of the game before the film hits the big screens.

Glu Mobile Inc. today announced the worldwide launch of Watchmen: The Mobile Game, the fifth title Glu has developed and published through its license agreement with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution on behalf of DC Comics. Watchmen: The Mobile Game is an intense action game where players fight crime through the streets of NYC and the jungles of Vietnam as the masked vigilantes Nite Owl and The Comedian. The game is based on the upcoming movie Watchmen, from Warner Bros.

Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, opening nationwide on March 6, 2009.

Features include:

• Beat ‘Em Up Action – Play as the stealthy Nite Owl and brawling anti-hero, The Comedian, each with a unique repertoire of attacks, weapons and special moves.
• Gameplay Variety – Fight your way through 17 levels, including flying missions in Nite Owl’s high-tech aircraft, Archie.
• Original Storyline – All new Watchmen experience can be appreciated by newcomers and fans of the movie.
• Classic Characters – Cameos from classic heroes and villains from the Watchmen universe, including Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan, Silk Spectre and more.
• Multiple Environments – Non-stop action in Vietnam and the streets of and skies over NYC.

(Source) Press

Taking advantage of new “cloudMMO” technology, the game will allow players to create their own masked avatars in the ’70s era of Watchmen. Players will be able to chat with others and participate in street battles.

While no exact gameplay details were given, WB notes that gmaers will be able to complete challenges, explore the universe and fight others. It is set for release later this month.

Developed by Deadline Games, Watchmen: The End is Nigh will allow two players to take control of Rorschach and Nite Owl in a flashback to the superhero duo’s early crime fighting days. It is based on a 1987 pen and paper RPG that was co-written by series creator Alan Moore.

The End is Nigh can be grabbed starting Wednesday, March 4. The PC version of the game can be bought on Steam and Direct2Drive.

The site carries logos for both PS3 and Xbox 360, as well as logos for D2D and Steam, indicating how the game will be distributed on PC.

The first of the episodic title serves as a prequel to the graphic novel and the upcoming film adaptation. No price point has been mentioned so far.

“At the time the original comics came out, Mayfair games did a role-playing game that Alan helped write bits of, and it’s completely canon, so this game uses a lot of that less-well known material,” said Gibbons.

It can be pointed out that Mayfair Games produced two RPG modules based on the comic book, titled ”Who Watches the Watchmen?” and “Taking Out the Trash”.

“Basically, it deals with Rorschach and Night Owl in the days before everything went wrong, and it features a few other characters and villains that are hinted at in the graphic novel,” said Gibbons. “It’s written by Len Wein who was the original editor of the graphic novel, so it keeps it all in the family, which is nice. And I’ve been consulting on the cut-scenes which we’ve tried to retain the atmosphere and flavour of the artwork.”

The downloadable game, due out alongside the film, will mix beat ‘em up combat with investigation puzzles.

The site reveals that the game will be episodic and downloadable, implying that it will be released on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network; it could also be released on PC.

No other details were given, though they do offer their thoughts on the cover image selection, which can be quite a read.

He will work with EA’s Los Angeles studio, which will develop the games. It is known for games such as Command & Conquer 3, The Battle for Middle-earth and more.

As expected, EA will retain the rights to these IPs and will have the option to turn them into movies, which will be produced by Snyder’s “Cruel & Unusual Films” production company.

Snyder joins the ranks of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson who are working with game companies on various projects.