Review: Alex Rider: Stormbreaker (DS)
Score: 73
He's a teenage spy and he's in this latest movie spin-off game. I have to say I'm deeply suspicious of most movie spin-offs and this doesn't go far out of its way to redeem my faith in the genre.
As with many DS games, there's a framework game spun round half a dozen mini-games that are encountered on the way but which you can revisit at any point. The main 3D beat-em-up game is competent without ever really impressing. The animation can be jerky at times, the action a little repetitive and good players may find that the whole thing is over in a couple of hours.
The graphics, including settings for 3D action and James Bond style cut scenes and animations, is fairly well done and there's usually something worth looking at on at least one of the two DS Lite screens. In general, there's been plenty of attention given to the DS format here, even down to blowing into the microphone to provide wind to lift a parachute at one point.
The mini-games are perhaps the redeeming feature here, headed by a complete 3D snooker simulation (shown below), almost worthy of being a title in its own right:
Other mini-games include sliding down a rope/wire, swinging from side to side to avoid obstacles, horse riding and motorcycling. Plenty of variety, even if the snooker game is the only one with real depth.
One cool touch is that your character, Alex, is even given his own DS in the game, and he uses it to find baddies.
Is it worth £30? Probably, depending on whether kids (yes) or adult gamers (no) are involved. Personally, I'm glad of it because I can now play snooker on my DS Lite at long last....!