Only one game set to be released in 2011 will give players the chance to take the role of a wisecracking fighter pilot policing the universe of evil with the use of a magical ring. With the sheer number of games coming next year, that may soon change, but for now Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters has been given an official release date, cover art, and a few more details on what fans can expect to see.

Few details were given when the game was first announced last summer, only confirming that the game would be inspired by the feature film Green Lantern being released next June. “Inspired” may be the right word, since the movie seems to be focusing on Hal Jordan’s fight against both Hector Hammond and Parallax.

The game’s description certainly doesn’t feature any mention of those enemies, so for those gamers who dislike games that merely repeat the plot of their respective films, this may be good news.

If fans were expecting the first glimpse of Rise of the Manhunters’ cover to give an idea of what the finished product would look like, they’re in for disappointment. The image isn’t that different from the promotional images revealed with the game’s announcement, but die-hard Lantern fans will still be thrilled:

According to The Daily BLAM! Ryan Reynolds will be lending his voice and likeness to the game’s protagonist, as players wield Jordan’s power ring in  battle against one of their oldest foes - the Manhunters:

Fans of the Green Lantern comic books don’t need to be told that the story and drama has always been one of the series’ strengths, so an entertaining narrative for the game is something that fans have the right to expect. As for actual gameplay, Warner Bros. isn’t giving any details out just yet. While it’s still unclear how Double Helix’s game will look, play, or even how players will manipulate the ring’s power, we now know the kind of variety of attacks that the team is planning on.

The Manhunters are an android race, originally created by the Guardians of the Universe to serve as the first interstellar police force. The Manhunters became more obsessed with administering punishment than serving justice, forcing the Guardians to dissolve their ranks. The few Manhunters that survived fled into exile and the Guardians founded a new elite police force called the Green Lantern Corps and armed its members with specially crafted power rings. Now the Manhunters are back and out for revenge, readying their forces for a war against the Guardians and the Green Lantern Corps. Faced with destruction, the Corps is looking to you as the newest recruit, gifted but cocky test pilot Hal Jordan, to protect peace and preserve justice.

Fans may not have Jordan’s ability to form anything his mind can picture, but they will be able to “create a spectacular range of ‘hard-light’ constructs including a gatling gun, giant fists, and much more, all of which can be linked together to form an endless number of combinations.” Fans of the comic can breathe a sigh of relief that the beloved giant-green-fist attacks will indeed by available, along with the ability to take the fight to the stars with Green Lantern’s power of flight.

Comic book games have received a serious shot in the arm of late, both with Batman: Arkham Asylum and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. While those games succeeded at putting players into the roles of iconic heroes, it’s still unclear whether Rise of the Manhunters will be best categorized as a comic book game or a movie-game.

Obviously, it’s odds are better if it distances itself from other games that were based on motion pictures. Regardless, the addition of co-op to the game’s campaign should give it a fighting chance with fans of comic book and ring-slinging alike.

There is a first time for everything, so until we get a closer look at the game in action, or at the very least some concept art, we can’t rush to judgment.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters will be released two weeks ahead of the motion picture on June 1, 2011 for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii ,and DS.

Source: The Daily BLAM!