Lost in translation

Lost: Via Domus

Format: Xbox 360

Price: £39.99

GAMES based on TV shows or movies have a history of being either abysmal, such as Superman Returns, or surprisingly engrossing such as CSI. Strangely, Lost falls somewhere in between and, despite an evident amount of detail and effort, it doesn't quite offer enough to qualify as a good game.

Those expecting to play a character from the TV series will be surprised to find themselves taking on the role of Elliot Maslow, a previously unheard of survivor of the plane crash who is suffering from a severe case of amnesia. The game involves interacting with fellow survivors and cast regulars such as Jack, Kate and Sawyer and solving Resident Evil-style puzzles to progress around the island. This is coupled with a regular feature from the show, the character flashback. During these you have the opportunity to take photographs and if you take the correct one you'll reveal a memory and progress through the game. On the other hand, if you miss the photograph you'll keep getting the flashback like some Groundhog Day nightmare until you get the right one.

A fair amount of effort has been put into the Lost game, like utilising some of the actual cast for voiceovers, coming up with an interesting Latin name (Via Domus translates as 'The Way Home') and integrating your new character without contradicting anything which has happened in the TV series but it still feels incomplete. Sure the island looks good and it is possible to get lost wondering around the detailed forestry but the characters move in a way which can only be described as creepy and as such make the game look very dated.

A reasonable effort but this is for huge fans of the series only.

MAT BURTON

ä Graphics: 3/5

ä Longevity: 3/5

ä Playability: 3.5/5

ä Originality: 1/5

ä Enjoyment: 2.5/5