Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
Score: 80% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Activision Developer: Adrenium Games Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Adventure
Graphics & Sound: “If you are interested in casting magic spells, or saving the Earth from alien invasion, you might as well stop right now. You see, the video game you are about to play is extremely unpleasant. It does not have a happy beginning, middle and, if a happy ending is important to you, you would certainly be better off with something else.” Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events looks good, but is nothing spectacular. Characters, including Count Olaf, resemble their on-screen likeness, which is pretty cool. The game’s story is presented through sketches accompanying narration by Tim Curry. These spots are enjoyable, but happen way too often in the game and feel bland. While it does reflect the game’s origins as a book, I would have enjoyed seeing more rendered story sequences. None of the rooms are particularly large or that highly detailed, which makes me wonder why there are so many load times. Still, the game captures the dark, dreary look described in the books and, if the movie trailers are any indication, seen in the movies. Many of the movie’s characters lend their voices to the game, including Jim Carrey. Voice work is good, but only Tim Curry really shines. Jim Carrey basically gives a phoned-in performance that will, at times, make you doubt he’s even really voicing the Count. Sound effects are lacking, as is the music.
Gameplay: After the death of their parents in a fire, the three Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, are sent to live with their “generous” thespian uncle, Count Olaf. Thus starts their adventures, trying to fend off Olaf and his “thespian associates.” A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the events of the movie which includes adventures from the first three books in the series. A Series of Unfortunate Events is a pretty straightforward game. Each of the three children has their own set of skills which must be used in order to complete objectives -- most of which involve tasks for Count Olaf. Violet, the oldest, is the brains of the operation and is an inventor. Most jobs begin with her figuring out an invention needed to complete a job. From here you travel around the area searching for and collecting objects on a scavenger hunt -- a gameplay element that defines most of the game. After acquiring all of the components, Violet will build a gadget that the children can use to complete a task. Klaus is more of the “quick action” character used for combat. He is also a bookworm who will point out things and drop hints, such as suggesting that you check behind a bookcase for something. Both Violet and Klaus are your primary characters during the game. Though not a major player in the game (at least in comparison to the other two children), playing as Sunny provides a break from the scavenger hunt found in the main game. Sunny spends most of her time strapped to Violet’s back and can be used to reach out of the way places. This usually involves her slipping through a hole in the wall. Sunny’s missions take the form of side-scrolling levels where she must jump and bite her way across a room in order to help her siblings complete a goal. A Series of Unfortunate Events is an entertaining game, but it is crippled by a few unfortunate flaws. Pacing is a major problem with the game. Gameplay segments go by pretty quick, but are hampered by the long load times that pop up in every room in the house. The enjoyable parts of the game outweigh the waiting, but it still helps to maim the excitement. The lack of variety in play-styles is also a problem. The side-scrolling Sunny levels are fun, as are some of the more reflex-based objectives (like helping Violet play the piano), but the majority of the time spent searching for items becomes tiring. One of the biggest problems with the game is that it’s too short. Some bonus features can be unlocked by collecting puzzle pieces and packages, but there’s little incentive to play the game more than once.
Difficulty: If anything, A Series of Unfortunate Events is very child friendly, offering just enough challenge to keep them playing for more than a few hours, but never getting to the point where frustration sets in. Mission goals are clearly stated and there’s no penalty for messing up something. If you fail a mission, you are simply invited to replay that part rather than being shot out to a Game Over screen. Save opportunities come up after nearly every major event in the game, and though this does contribute to the game’s slow pacing, it’s really helpful for younger gamers.
Game Mechanics: A Series of Unfortunate Events’ controls are kept simple and never leave you wondering what to do. Each of the kids has the same button schemes and combat abilities. Klaus is better suited for close combat while Violet can take on things from a distance. Since she is a baby, Sunny lacks combat skills, but can use her four very-powerful teeth to chew through things like wood boards and metal pipe. Combat is present throughout most of the game, but isn’t a primary element of the game except for when dealing with rats, spiders, and Count Olaf’s henchmen. Switching between Klaus and Violet is handled with one button press while Sunny can only be unleashed when Violet is standing by a hole or small opening. A very basic auto-targeting system is used when fighting something, but I would have preferred a little more control just so I wouldn’t lose health from cheap shots while hitting empty air. A targeting system would have also introduced a strafe option, something that would have been REALLY helpful during certain boss encounters. Though a pretty average game, A Series of Unfortunate Events is still a fun one. It may not be a deep, genre-reinventing game, but it still makes for a fun experience -- while it lasts. Fans of the books (or movie) will certainly enjoy the game, as will younger gamers.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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