The Golden Compass (video game)

Infobox VG
title = The Golden Compass


developer = Shiny Entertainment
publisher = Sega
distributor = New Line Cinema
released = All platforms:
vgrelease|Europe|EU|November 30, 2007
vgrelease|North America|NA|December 4, 2007
vgrelease|Australia|AU|December 13, 2007
genre = Action/Adventure
modes = Single player
Multiplayer (DS)
ratings = ESRB: E10+
OFLC: PG
platforms = PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360

"The Golden Compass" is an action-adventure game developed by Shiny Entertainment and published by Sega. [ [http://www.sega.com/corporate/corporate.php?item=pr_20070227a Sega of America ] ] The game is based on the novel-adapted movie of the same name. It was released in December, before the movie, for all major consoles.

tory

Based on the book (under both the names "The Northern Lights" and in some countries, "The Golden Compass") and movie, players assume the role of Lyra Belacqua and Iorek Byrnison in Lyra's attempt to save her father, Lord Asriel, and friend, Roger from the General Oblation Board.

In some sections, the game actually follows the book more closely than the film. The sequences in Bolvangar and Svalbard are switched in the film but remain unchanged in the game. Also, some of the ending (unseen in the film) is shown in the game. That makes the game the only place, thus far, to view these deleted scenes.

Reception

GameSpot rated "The Golden Compass" Xbox 360, PS3, and PS2 versions a 4.5 (out of 10), the Wii version garnered a 4.0, and the PSP port fared the worst with a low score of 2.0. Nintendo Power rated the Wii version a 4.0, noting the repetitive environments, simplistic minigames, low-resolution visuals and hard-to-grasp story.

"The Golden Compass" ranked number 10 in the UK's all formats games sales chart of 2007. [cite news | url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=31799 | title="Assassin's Creed Finishes '07 At Number One" | author=Matt Martin | publisher=Eurogamer Network Ltd. | date=2008-01-02 | accessdate=2008-01-02 ]

GamePro says that despite low-res graphics, sound effects, and clunky controls, the video game manages to capture the magic of the original source material; giving it a 3.75/5. (Feb. 2008 issue)

References

Gamepro Magazine February 2008 Issue

External links

* [http://www.sega.com/gamesite/goldencompass/fullsite/index.php Official website]
* [http://www.sega.com/games/game_temp.php?game=goldencompass&lid=gp_goldencompass&lpos=allgamelist_title Sega's minisite]