The Golden Compass

Posted by admin on December 19th, 2008 filed in 3D, 3rd Person, Arcade

The Golden Compass is an adventure game based on the theatrical adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel of the same name. The events in the game borrow from the movie and the book. Players get to control a few characters from the movie: the main character Lyra Belacqua, the daemon Pantalaimon (Pan), and Iorek Byrnison, the massive polar bear.

Players will explore digital recreations of the movie’s world, fight monsters, engage in jumping puzzles, and collect items. When Lyra and Pan are being controlled, players can expect to avoid enemies and use Pan’s animal powers to reach new areas. Controlling Iorek focuses more on fighting, as he’s a massive, armored polar bear. The game also features several timed sequences that require the player to match a series of button presses at the right time in order to succeed.
Gamers not familiar with the movie or the book may be confused by the game’s story. The plot assumes that the player knows a fair bit about the main story. Newcomers to the world of The Golden Compass are likely to get lost following the game’s plot. This title is best suited for players that have already enjoyed the movie or the book.
The game’s controls are very straightforward, making things accessible for gamers of all skill and experience levels. All players should be able to pick up the basics in not time. However, due to some technical issues with the camera, some of the jumping sequences might be frustrating for beginners and experts alike.
The Golden Compass is rated “E10+” by the ESRB. It is cited for “Mild Language” and “Violence”. The content is as safe as the PG-13 movie it’s based on. While it is cited for language, there is no profanity. The violence can be found in the game’s combat sequences, which are handled in a non-graphic fashion.