Well, Multi-platform games are usually from a lower standard, certainly if they were develloped particularly for a console. Because of the low amount of buttons, the controls are usually very easy, and don't allow many special features. (the only way to do that on a console are quicktime-events :S) And movie-based games usually suck. To every rule there are exeptions offcourse, but in gamedevelopment, you need to build a game around a good functioning gameplay. The gameplay alone should justify playing the game. When you however build a game around a storyline, as in movie games, gameplay comes second to that. This limits the possibilities for the developers, since they have to integrate the gameplay into the story, intead of the other way around. Not to mention, that a game based on a popular francise is certain to have a good number of customers, even if their game looks like "escape from monkey island" with a terminator sticker on it. Hence, they limit the costs for development to maximise the profit, which is just all the more reason the game will probably suck. So, no surprise here for me, Terminator salvation looks like one of the worst games ever. I think I'd have more fun with an internetbrowser-flash game. Anyway, enough ranting... ^^
it hasn't have to go that way. look at LOTR BFME II no connection to the story line of the film...it was kinda based on the things from the book that didn't made the movie, but they modified everything to make it a come out better in the game...
True, as I said there are exeptions. With BFME II they focused on gameplay. The movie only supplied the setting for the game. But then again, you can't really call it a movie game, since the movie(s) was based on the books that created an entire social culture. The imaginary setting (and many other like it, such as Warhammer, Star Wars, etc.) can be great to make a game in, since they are elaborate settings, which still supply enough freedom. But even then there are screw ups. I have LoTR the two towers (for console) in my closet, and it was kinda rubbish. It followed an tightly predesigned storyline, w/o any freedom because it wanted to make the gamer relive the story first hand. But that just doesn't work.
Also, one of the reasons many movie video games sucks is that they HAVE to be released on the date the movie comes in the cinemas.. Means they got to rush the game to make sure they reach the deadline, while if they could just took their time instead of having this time pressure the game might improve then. Ofcourse if everyone seen the movie, the hype goes away after while which can mean the interest in a videogame of the movie lowers..means less profit for the game company if they release it later.