 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
- Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Windows
- Price: $49.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Good movie makes a dull console game.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although not particularly graphic, this console game version is nonetheless steeped in violence on a grand scale. Game goals sometimes include killing a certain number of foes in order to trigger the next event. The characters fight with medieval weapons including swords, daggers and maces. This is the review of the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360 version; the DS version is a totally separate game and has its own separate review.
What's it about?
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN is a tie-in to the recent movie of the same name, which is in turn inspired by the fantasy universe of author C.S. Lewis. Actual movie footage serves to move the game's narrative forward -- such that it is. Essentially, however, the game is just a prolonged brawl on a massive scale that pits the four Pevensie children, Caspian, and various Narnian characters against endless waves of Telmarine soldiers commanded by Caspian's evil uncle Miraz.
Players will find themselves in squad-based combat where they can re-enact the encounters of the film, including defending Cair Paravel in the prologue, battling Miraz's armies, and finally storming Miraz's castle to rescue Caspian's tutor Cornelius. You can switch between companions at any time, otherwise they'll trail behind automatically. A second player can take control of one of these companions because the game offers a drop-in, drop-out two- player option.
Is it any good?
The hack n' slash gameplay is uninspired and reduces the subtle magic of Narnia to a soulless and repetitive experience. Controls are unrefined, making simple tasks like picking up objects or wielding a grappling hook more arduous than they should me. Even opening a simple chest involves pointlessly mashing the A button. Furthermore, the missions often don't make logical sense, like having to find missing lever pieces over and over again in order to open doors, luring bears into traps that are conveniently placed at regular intervals throughout the forest, or dodging killer bats in a cave to find a grappling hook that's been left in a chest. While the movie footage and co-operative play might be enough to appease Narnia fans, there's nothing otherwise noteworthy or compelling about this title.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether they think the game does the film (or the book) any justice. If they could make a game based on the film, what kind of gameplay would it have?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
tweens and teens
great game once you have beat it it gets kida boring but still fun pretty violent no blood doesn't look too real you play as the good guys the hole game its fun
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Disney Interactive |
| Release date: | May 15, 2008 |
| Price: | $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Violence |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
