James Bond meets Pingu in this portable new version of the world’s first penguin-only MMO.
I do sometimes worry about those people at Disney … in particular where they get their ideas from. I mean, take Club Penguin for example. At some point someone must have said: Let’s create a children’s version of World of Warcraft. Oh, and I know, instead of elves, dwarves and other fantastical characters, let’s have lots of brightly coloured penguins!
Yet, like almost everything else that Disney touches, Club Penguin has become a world wide phenomenon with over 20 million unique penguin avatars having been created so far. In this snow covered virtual world, your penguin avatar (mine is called Pingle Foot) can roam freely and interact with thousands of other Penguins simultaneously playing mini games, reading comic strips and generally having a hoot.
Disney’s Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force for DS is in fact the first video game based on this online club and means that you can now get your fix of those cute little penguins anywhere and everywhere.
The name is Foot ... Pingle Foot.
In Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force, you take on the role of a covert agent, waddling your way through secret spy missions by solving puzzles, earning coins and completing mini-games
After choosing and naming your penguin you’re given some free time to explore the island and meet some of the local residents. Things aren’t quite what they seem however and before long you are joined by a stray Puffle. Your quest to find its owner leads you directly to Agent D who works for the Elite Penguin Force (EPF). And with the help of Agent D and a shadowy figure known only as The Director, you soon become a fully fledged (see what I did there) EPF agent and embark on your first major mission.
Secret codes and missions aplenty
It quickly becomes clear that there is something alien afoot. Strange coded messages start appearing in the snow; messages that talk of mother ships. Could there be an alien invasion underway? Only you can unlock the secret code with the help of your super spy gadgets:
- The Puffle Whistle enables you to call on the Elite Puffles’ for help in times of need. There are seven Elite Puffles, each with their own unique ability. The Red Puffle, for example, can bash its way through solid objects without hurting itself.
- Maps show you where you are and where you need to be. Using your stylus, you can get from A to B in a flash.
- The Decoder helps you unscramble strange alien messages
- The Robotomy Gadget allows you to deactivate out of control robots - an essential addition in any spy penguin’s inventory.
- The Two Way Communicator allows you to get calls from other agents or call HQ for tips.
- HQ Jump Button quickly transports you back to the EPF headquarters.
- Plus you have a cache of gadgets, accessories, disguises and vehicles that will help you investigate all the puzzling events.
like almost everything else that Disney touches, Club Penguin has become a world wide phenomenon
Disney’s Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force is easy to pick up. Yellow arrows guide you through your mission and by talking to other penguins you can get clues about where you need to be. You can also get clues by looking at your map, which sits in the top left of the screen.
Meet some groovy chicks
The mini games in Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force include favourites from the online club such as Ice Fishing and Cart Surfer as well as new ones created especially for the DS video game. My favourite mini game, however, is the Dance Challenge. Reminiscent of the Super Simon game of the seventies, you have to memorise the moves of a funky, jivin' penguin then copy them using the DS touch-screen.
Another lovely touch is the Puffle whistle which is activated by blowing into the microphone. Blowing into the microphone activates a whistle sound, which in turn summons your Puffle.
Licence to thrill
Although Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force is based on what is essentially an online community, it translates surprisingly well as a stand alone game. If you do happen to be member of Club Penguin you can wirelessly upload the coins you earn throughout the game to your online penguin account. Ka-ching!
I have to admit. I’m not a big gamer. I much prefer the Guitar Heroes and Singstars of this world. But having said that, there were enough puzzles and intrigue in Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force to keep me plugging away for several hours. With its colourful, cute and intuitive gameplay Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force is sure to be a hit with all budding young penguins/secret agents/gamers (delete where appropriate).
This is Pingle Foot signing off. Mission completed. Over and out.
GAME's Verdict
- Irresistably cute characters and an intriguing plot.
- You get rewarded for doing good deeds.
- Multiplayer mode allows you to join forces with other penguin spies nearby.
- Kids who aren't members of the online club may feel a little left out.
- It requires a reasonable level of reading ability.
- Some of the challenges were quite tricky even for an adult.
Review by: Corrinne - Pingle Foot the Great - Garstang
Version Tested: ds
Review Published: 21.03.09