Scully ON THE GAME

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Okay, too much movie, this is a game, right? It says PS2 on the box. Hang on, let me check. Yes, right there at the top. So why am I watching the film?

For a moment there I had a really messy introduction to the gameplay, running around a house trying to make sense of the instructions being thrown at me. But now I'm watching the film again. Maybe I'll put the kettle on and by the time I get back I'll be able to actually do something. Just talk amongst yourselves.

The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch And The Wardrobe. Now there's a mouthful. Big title, big-name stars, big budget, big history and the beginnings of a big franchise. There's a lot to live up to.

Tea or coffee?

Wait a second… here we go. Level 1, 'A Glimpse Of Narnia' with the smaller pair of Pevensie children. This looks good, nice enough graphics, good sound, characters respond well to the controls, but where's the big 'wow' I was expecting. Hmm, maybe later on. For now, I'll just perform the tasks set out before me in order to complete the level. This is easy, the game tells me exactly what to do at any given moment. I'll have it finished in no time - it's not like I need to put any thought into it.

Level 2 is more of the same. Explore the house and find Lucy - she's hiding. You can wander around and explore, or simply follow the trail of very large collectable coins right in front of you (a yellow brick road couldn't have been more obvious). This is beginning to get a bit tedious. Just do as your told and don't try to stray off the beaten track. All the doors are locked - except the one you have to go through - so why bother? Oh look, there's a large candlestick with a large square symbol on it, and Peter said "Look, a candlestick" Do you think I should try the candlestick and press the square button?

Maybe I'm labouring the point but for an adventure game, based on an adventure film, adapted from an adventure book, there's not much adventuring going on here. Just follow the instructions to get from A to B. Very simple, very linear, very dull. As you progress through the game the "Burning sticks can be used to set fire to different things" style advice boxes become less and less but the large "Press this button now" symbols remain. This completely negates the need to think or try out different solutions before being able to move on. The most ridiculous example is being given the instruction to "find somewhere to hide" and then have the picture of the children appear above the hiding places. Sage piece of puzzling, that.

It does get better, though - but not by much. The levels become much more expansive and the 'wow' factor starts to kick in a little. The graphics are reasonable and the scenery is jaw-dropping from time to time, if a little samey. But then the feeling that you've been here before sets in again and you back on the same identikit snowy path. (I really enjoyed the ice slide though, even if it was way too short.)

So what do you do when you've got four main characters? The first thing is to use the drop in / drop out multiplayer system, allowing two players to operate together on a single screen. A touch of a single button rotates you nicely through the characters to find the one you need next. Peter is best at hitting things, using a stick or sword good for close combat, whereas Susan is there to throw things, snowballs, tennis balls (and possibly tantrums) and to use the bow and arrow. Edmund is good at climbing and Lucy heals you with her medicine bag. The two little ones can get to places that the bigger ones can't but the most inspired and also most wasted opportunity is the team-up feature. Two characters can join together as one to become, well, not much, really. It's an excellent idea which doesn't really go anywhere. Yes, you can break down bigger ice walls, but that feels like such a waste.

Combat can also become a bit of a button-mashing exercise, rather than a skilled or tactical event. With four children and numerous bad creatures in the mix, the camera may decide to pull back to give you a lovely aerial view. Trouble is, it then becomes difficult to distinguish who's who and which sprite you are. So you just keep hitting the attack button and hope for the best.

I mentioned earlier that you can collect coins in each of the levels. These coins can be exchanges for abilities and upgrades for each or all of the children. Shields can also be collected along the way and add some replay value for those who care enough to go round more than once and to increase their rating at the end of each level.

Sadly, 'apathetic' isn't an achievable score.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, this isn't a bad game. It's just that, for a franchise like this, you want something a little special and can't help feeling a bit cheated when the game is decidedly average. You wanted Disneyland in summer - you get Blackpool on a rainy bank holiday. In fact, 'average' is the word that most suits TCON:TLTWATW (had to get that abbreviation in somewhere). Gameplay is good, but routine. The graphics are functional, but nothing special. The biggest issue is never being allowed to figure things out for yourself. Pity really.

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Another middle-of-the-road movie tie-in that could have been much more. Destined for the bargain bin.
Overall Rating:	10 out of 10
ESRB Rating:	Teen (13+)
Publisher:	Buena Vista Games
Available for:	PlayStation2, Xbox, GameCube, PC