The Golden Compass

Publisher: Sega

Platform: PS3

Category: Action / Adventure

Rating Info

Release Date: 30/11/2007

Member Rating:

Number of Players: 1

The Golden Compass Description

Beautiful witches, armoured bears, zeppelins, your own personal daemon... sounds like a lark, eh? This is the world of The Golden Compass (or Northern Lights, to us Brits). Based on the film of the first book in Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, The Golden Compass takes players to an alternate reality where they'll join Lyra as she goes in search of her friend Roger on a journey that takes her from the comfort of Oxford to the frozen wastes of the far north. To help her, she'll have the company of her daemon, Pan, and Iorek Byrnison, king of the armoured bears, along with the mysterious alethiometer (the device for which the game is named). Switching between the three characters, players will utilise each of their strengths. Iorek will come in handy for combat, being a bear and all. Pan, with his shape-shifting abilities, will be useful for manoeuvring around obstacles and hazards that cross your path. Lyra, meanwhile, can be used for cracking puzzles thanks to the alethiometer. SEGA has taken great pains to ensure the game is as close to the film world as possible. The company has been down at the set, taking footage and passing it back to the development team to ensure authenticity, and the game even expands on areas barely seen in the film using content from the book.

Screenshots

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Write a review of The Golden Compass

Reviewed by: littlesummermage	Date: 23/06/2008	Rating:
This is a very unusual game. The first thing I noticed was that you can't see the screen from all angles. (Unless that's only me!). It has a variety of 'mini games' in deception mode which I found very annoying. On the plus side, the graphics are very good with some wonderful scenery. The game isn't exactly 'on rails' but you are very limited in which way to go, which means you can't enjoy exploring areas very much. I am near the end of the game but I think I might just give it up, as I feel I've had enough of it. I don't think its a game I would every consider playing again. I certainly won't be buying it.

Features

True to the movie. The official video game of The Golden Compass from New Line Cinema - the studio behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy - comes to life Christmas 2007.

Play as the heroes from the film. Embark on a journey into the frozen north as rebellious and headstrong heroine Lyra, who uses her cunning to evade enemies. Or charge forward as her powerful friend and protector, Iorek - a giant armored polar bear able to overcome any obstacle with his brute strength.

Explore a parallel universe. Immerse yourself in the world of The Golden Compass movie and discover the majestic grandeur of Jordan College, the hustle and bustle of port town Trollesund, or the dark and foreboding research station at Bolvangar. Go beyond the movie with two areas from the His Dark Materials universe exclusive to the game.

Discover a powerful bond greater than friendship. Experience the collaborative bond between Lyra and her unique animal-companion, Pan, who has the ability to morph into a variety of different creatures to help Lyra solve puzzles and navigate obstacles throughout her perilous journey.

The Golden Compass will lead the way. Use the truth-telling Golden Compass to solve in-game puzzles and unlock bonus content, allowing you to explore the worlds as seen in the movie.

Use quick wit to discover and evade. Participate in a variety of themed mini-games to help Lyra gain further information about her journey and avoid confrontation with those that mean her harm.

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