The Golden Compass Format: Nintendo DS Price: £29.95 THERE is a danger with all games released off the back of blockbuster movies that they will appear short, rushed and repetitive and The Golden Compass is a prime example of this. This is a title which h

The Golden Compass

Format: Nintendo DS

Price: £29.95

THERE is a danger with all games released off the back of blockbuster movies that they will appear short, rushed and repetitive and The Golden Compass is a prime example of this. This is a title which had a lot of potential and should have broken the mould for movie-to-console crossovers.

In the other worlds of The Golden Compass, it is suggested that our souls live outside our bodies in the form of shape-shifting animals called Daemons. This premise for a platform game could have led to a huge variety of new and exciting puzzles to solve. Instead of this we are left with a game where the only times you utilise the Daemons' shape-shifting abilities is when you need to do a bit of digging or fly up a level to pick up some coins.

The plot of the game is a strange one and begins at neither the start of the book or the movie. Instead you find that you are already in the ice land following the armoured bear, with little or no clue as to what you are doing or indeed who the characters are. For a game aimed entirely at children, this is unnecessarily confusing and leads to an uninvolving game.

Sadly it only gets worse with the gameplay. The layout is a standard platform affair and could well be an original Gameboy title, it's that old school. Some may suggest that this gives it a retro feel but personally I think it shows a lazy game which will infuriate even the most dedicated gamer.

A very poor game and possibly the worst movie-to-console crossover of all time.

MAT BURTON

# Graphics: 2.5/5

# Longevity: 2/5

# Playability: 2.5/5

# Originality: 1/5

# Enjoyment: 2/5