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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Action/Adventure Developer: PlayLogic Publisher: PlayLogic |
When summer rolls around, theaters are filled with a variety of kids movies that are aiming towards being the next summer blockbuster
film. Along with the release of these films, there is sure to be a following of licensed merchandise to go along with the films being
released. Though a lot of the licensed merchandise isn’t worth a second look, the Nintendo DS version of “Aliens in the Attic” proves to
be worth the time.
The follows the story from the film quiet closely and players will take control of Tom, Jake and Hannah throughout the adventure. As the
story goes, if not obvious enough by the title, there are aliens that have invaded the attic and it is up to the trio to save the world. The
game works like a platform shooting style of game, which means that certain liberties are taken in terms of the size of rooms.
For those players that are hoping for a focused story line, this game is going to disappoint. The dialogue throughout the game is funny,
but is also very generic. Players will understand where the game is headed, what is happening with the different characters and they
will understand the general plot of the story that is playing out, but the action of the game is what truly takes charge in the game. Overall,
the presentation of the game works well.
As with any game that offers a variety of characters to play, each of the three main characters in the game offer something unique to the
game play and players will be required to switch between the characters to make their way through each level. Tom is the brains of the
group, so he is the only one who can make use of the alien gadgets that are found throughout the game. Jake is the oldest and
strongest and will be used to move heavy objects around. Hannah is the smallest and most agile fo the three and she is able to double
jump and make her way through narrow passages.
Each of the boys in the game are equipped with homemade guns that can be upgraded with items that are obtained by rescuing
neighbors and family members throughout the levels. Upgrades include ammunition that knocks enemies backwards, homing devices
and much more. Though there is no limit on ammo, players will need to keep a lookout for grenade and health packs.
All of the action takes place on the top screen, with the hub located on the touch screen. Players have a shared health bar, as well as
icons that allow them to switch between the variety of gadgets and guns that they have. Players can also use the touch screen to aim,
though it tends to be a very clumsy mechanic to use. In many cases, it is preferred to simply aim using the D-pad while firing with the Y
button.
The levels of the game are designed in a basic but enjoyable way. There aren’t any real puzzles in the game other than having Hannah
make her way through a series of platforms so Jake can them move a heavy object out of the way to progress through the game.
However, the way that the game makes use of all three characters is still a lot of fun. Some of the environmental obstacles are
completely pointless, lacking any sort of creativity. However, the bosses are the true highlight that will mostly present players with a
challenge.
The mechanics of the game work well and the collision detection is done extremely well. The game’s difficulty makes a fairly steep
move towards the end and when most of the adventure is extremely easy, it is also somewhat jolting to have to face the game’s final
box challenge. Still, the developers put forth some real effort when it comes to making interesting use of all three characters, and if
players had fun watching the movie, chances are players will enjoy working through this game.
Unfortunately, the game doesn’t take any more than a total of four hours to make it through a single play through; it is a very small
package for the $30 price tag. There are bolts that players need to collect throughout each level, and they tie into upgrading the
weapons used in the game, but outside of finding all of the hidden items, there isn’t much else to do with the game. There is no
multiplayer and the options menu consists of sound and music settings and a view of the development credits, a barebones product.
Though the sounds in the game don’t do anything to stand out, both the music and the sound effect are fitting for the game play.
Themes add a nice element of excitement to boss battles and there is something satisfying about the sound that players hear when
they collect bolts. Sadly, since it often takes a long time to wear away at certain obstacles with the guns, players will get tired of hearing
the sounds of the weapons firing.
Overall, “Aliens in the Attic” for the Nintendo DS is a fun game. It follows a simple formula and have a few good level elements but it all
ends in a brief adventure. The game does have a lot of charm, it is well polished and the mechanics and production values are of a
fairly high level. With a total of nine adults to rescue and tons of bolts to collect, players can easily play through the game a number of
times. Still, the adventure doesn’t add up to much in the end, but the game is well worth renting for a weekend of fun.
film. Along with the release of these films, there is sure to be a following of licensed merchandise to go along with the films being
released. Though a lot of the licensed merchandise isn’t worth a second look, the Nintendo DS version of “Aliens in the Attic” proves to
be worth the time.
The follows the story from the film quiet closely and players will take control of Tom, Jake and Hannah throughout the adventure. As the
story goes, if not obvious enough by the title, there are aliens that have invaded the attic and it is up to the trio to save the world. The
game works like a platform shooting style of game, which means that certain liberties are taken in terms of the size of rooms.
For those players that are hoping for a focused story line, this game is going to disappoint. The dialogue throughout the game is funny,
but is also very generic. Players will understand where the game is headed, what is happening with the different characters and they
will understand the general plot of the story that is playing out, but the action of the game is what truly takes charge in the game. Overall,
the presentation of the game works well.
As with any game that offers a variety of characters to play, each of the three main characters in the game offer something unique to the
game play and players will be required to switch between the characters to make their way through each level. Tom is the brains of the
group, so he is the only one who can make use of the alien gadgets that are found throughout the game. Jake is the oldest and
strongest and will be used to move heavy objects around. Hannah is the smallest and most agile fo the three and she is able to double
jump and make her way through narrow passages.
Each of the boys in the game are equipped with homemade guns that can be upgraded with items that are obtained by rescuing
neighbors and family members throughout the levels. Upgrades include ammunition that knocks enemies backwards, homing devices
and much more. Though there is no limit on ammo, players will need to keep a lookout for grenade and health packs.
All of the action takes place on the top screen, with the hub located on the touch screen. Players have a shared health bar, as well as
icons that allow them to switch between the variety of gadgets and guns that they have. Players can also use the touch screen to aim,
though it tends to be a very clumsy mechanic to use. In many cases, it is preferred to simply aim using the D-pad while firing with the Y
button.
The levels of the game are designed in a basic but enjoyable way. There aren’t any real puzzles in the game other than having Hannah
make her way through a series of platforms so Jake can them move a heavy object out of the way to progress through the game.
However, the way that the game makes use of all three characters is still a lot of fun. Some of the environmental obstacles are
completely pointless, lacking any sort of creativity. However, the bosses are the true highlight that will mostly present players with a
challenge.
The mechanics of the game work well and the collision detection is done extremely well. The game’s difficulty makes a fairly steep
move towards the end and when most of the adventure is extremely easy, it is also somewhat jolting to have to face the game’s final
box challenge. Still, the developers put forth some real effort when it comes to making interesting use of all three characters, and if
players had fun watching the movie, chances are players will enjoy working through this game.
Unfortunately, the game doesn’t take any more than a total of four hours to make it through a single play through; it is a very small
package for the $30 price tag. There are bolts that players need to collect throughout each level, and they tie into upgrading the
weapons used in the game, but outside of finding all of the hidden items, there isn’t much else to do with the game. There is no
multiplayer and the options menu consists of sound and music settings and a view of the development credits, a barebones product.
Though the sounds in the game don’t do anything to stand out, both the music and the sound effect are fitting for the game play.
Themes add a nice element of excitement to boss battles and there is something satisfying about the sound that players hear when
they collect bolts. Sadly, since it often takes a long time to wear away at certain obstacles with the guns, players will get tired of hearing
the sounds of the weapons firing.
Overall, “Aliens in the Attic” for the Nintendo DS is a fun game. It follows a simple formula and have a few good level elements but it all
ends in a brief adventure. The game does have a lot of charm, it is well polished and the mechanics and production values are of a
fairly high level. With a total of nine adults to rescue and tons of bolts to collect, players can easily play through the game a number of
times. Still, the adventure doesn’t add up to much in the end, but the game is well worth renting for a weekend of fun.
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