Video game review: ‘Avatar’
Written by Michael Siebenaler | | news@toledofreepress.comMovie adaptation games
(Ratings out of four stars)
James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game (UbiSoft)
This high value, third person action game for the PlayStation 3 launches basic concepts from the all-time box office grossing film while keeping overall themes intact. Film viewers obviously have a lower learning curve as this constantly kinetic world offers something different at every turn as “Able” Ryder a signals specialist picked for the Avatar program. RDA corporation characters include the main guide Kendra Midori, Commander Falco, Dr. Rene Harper, and Senior Science Officer Monroe. The Na’vi characters include Tan Jala, matriarch Tsahik Sanume, and the stern Beyda’ amo.
Set in Pandora, the story mode and multiplayer experience closely follow the film. Each selectable side has appealing pros, cons and similarities. The RDA Corporation wants to conquer Pandora while the native Na’ vi naturally defend their homeland. Each side can produce basic troops and vehicles/animals. The RDA gets two gunships, the gator boat and buggy while the Na’vi only get large Thanators on the ground and Banshee for air attacks. In travel and reconnaissance, both sides have rapid transport powers, but the Na’vi’s “Tree of Vision” gives the natives the advantage.
RDA troops have thundering grenade launchers and forward somersaults while the 10 foot Na’vi have silent poisonous arrows and sideways maneuvers. The skills ring (upper right corner display), which works intuitively with the PlayStation analog sticks, include speed, stealth, special powers and health recovery. Both sides also use a special button mashing mode for last resort health recoveries and the R3 (right analog stick) for convenient “quick peek” turn around moves to see what’s behind characters. Players can also level up while achieving upgrades and special codes. In the multiplayer online modes, players can easily switch sides in king of the hill, conquer, death match, final battle and capture the flag modes. Friend and party invitations expand the online play even more plus players can create private matches.
Developers put together some incredible graphics and visuals. The impressive 3D war room map allows easy rotation to find venues. Players always get a clear view even when it’s not wanted. For example, when looking down from a rock filled perch, the vegetation automatically moves out of view. This scenario might seem like a glitch, but likely exists for clear combat engagement and stealth objectivity. The realistic forest environments provide plenty of cover, so characters would be practically invisible if their foe didn’t have a fair shot at spotting them. Stealth often works well, but not when an area is barraged with constant grenade launcher fire, so players must find a strategic mix (***1/2, rated T for animated blood, mild language, mild suggestive themes and violence, also available on Nintendo DS, PC, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii).
