James Cameron’s Avatar film has created quite a stir since its recent release, and all the way back to its initial inception over a decade ago. The concept was seeping with video game potential and it was only a matter of time until the title hit our store shelves. It’s finally here, but can Avatar: The Game live up to the critical reception the film has generated?
Although Avatar is set in the same universe as the film, it kicks off two years prior to the events of the movie. Players will take the reigns of Ryder, a signals specialist who’s sent to the dangerous world of Pandora in order to assist the military in their mining endeavors. The story is pretty solid, although it’s told through quick abrupt dialogue scenes that will leave players who haven’t seen the movie, scratching their heads.
A little in to the game and players will have the choice to either stick with the RDA and pillage the planet, or join the indigenous Na’Vi and fight with the rebellion. Choosing the RDA, Avatar: The Game will play out as a third-person shooter. You get your assault rifles, shotguns and flamethrowers, along with a bunch of power-ups, such as cloaking and airstrikes. Siding with the Na’Vi however, will place heavy emphasis on melee attacks and close combat. Blades, staffs and arrows will be your primary weapons, although the Na’Vi have increased agility and climbing techniques. There is also a fair share of vehicles (or creatures for the Na’Vi) to give players an advantage in battle.
There is also a form of XP, which lead to new upgrades, weapons and skills being unlocked. This adds a bit of progression to the game, but doesn’t drastically change the way Avatar plays out. Besides some awkward controls, the gameplay is solid and will provide players with a little bit of the “Avatar-magic” they’ve been craving for.
Avatar captures the striking visuals that James Cameron’s cinematic counterpart has flaunted. The character models are sharp but their animations can be touch and go at times. The visual performance that steals the show is definitely the planet itself. Pandora is vivid with colour and life, with the drastic change to the flora and fauna during day and night cycles which really makes the title shine. Avatar can also be played in 3D and is one of the first titles incorporating the technology. All you need is your (or your children’s) college fund to buy a big fancy 3D television, strap on some ridiculous looking 3D glasses and you’re good to go.
Avatar also boasts a multiplayer component in which players can jump on either the side of the Na’Vi or RDA and battle it out in 10 different maps with 5 gameplay modes. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but a lot of fun can be had with the multiplayer and the setting is a welcomed change from the usual battlegrounds.
Avatar: The Game is a definite step-up from the usual movie tie-ins and shows what can be done with an interesting concept. It doesn’t quite capture the compelling story or emotional drive of the film, but there is a lot of fun to be had with Avatar, and we can only hope we see more of Pandora soon.
[starreviewmulti id=1 tpl=20]
