James Cameron's Avatar: The Game Xbox 360

Released on 04/12/2009

• James Cameron's Avatar: The Game Review

  Why the Blue Face?

  Director James Cameron doesn't do small. Every time he writes and/or directs a movie you can bet something about it will be groundbreaking. It'll be bigger than anything that's gone before, more expensive, use revolutionary effects and so on. And he's delivered so many iconic cinematic moments, too. Who else would have enabled us to witness a rat submerged alive, yet still breathing, in oxygenated water (The Abyss), or recreated the sinking of the Titanic, or staged a fist fight on top of a Harrier jump jet (True Lies). His latest film - and the inevitable game tie-in, Avatar is no less ambitious than his previous projects and promises a leap forward in terms of the integration of live action, CG animation and 3D technology.

  A Cut Above

  The movie centres on the story of Jake Sully, a former marine who has been paralysed from the waist down. He's given the chance to walk again by becoming a hybrid of human and alien Na'vi and is sent to help Earth's military-industrial forces in their search for valuable resources on the Na'vi's home planet, Pandora. Over the course of the movie Sully falls for a Na'vi female and begins to sympathise with the Na'vis' cause.

  You have the option to continue as a marine or join forces with the Na'vi.

  James Cameron's Avatar: The Game also takes place on the beautiful planet of Pandora, but on an earlier timeline allowing the developers (and Cameron himself) to fill in some of the backstory that isn't explored in the film.

  At it's heart Avatar: The Game is a fairly straightforward third-person shooter and, while it might not be groundbreaking in terms of its gameplay, it's a significant cut above the average movie tie-in.

  Although you begin the game as part of an Earth marine, you'll later have the option to either continue as a marine or join forces with the Na'vi. Both factions offer a wealth of interesting play options. Each has its own arsenal of weapons, the humans relying on military might, while the Na'vi have to use more primitive tools to achieve their goals. There are also forms of transport for each side, vehicles for the humans, creatures for the Na'vi. Also, as well as there being the basic run and gun gameplay, Avatar features moments of stealth and strategy and some truly awesome boss fights.

  The game is visually stunning, bringing the lush environments of Pandora vividly to life.

  Avatar: The Game also offers players the opportunity to go online and take part in a 16-player mode, complete with large open maps and a combination of ground and air combat.

  Now Available in 3D

  The game is visually stunning, bringing the lush environments of Pandora vividly to life. In keeping with the cutting edge values of the film, Avatar: The Game also offers the opportunity to view the action in 3D. This being a Cameron project, though, it's not your cacky old 3D with coloured glasses, but a cutting edge technology that is only available to those who own a 3D TV, devices that are currently as rare as hens' teeth.

  Despite the inability of the vast majority of its audience to use the 3D options, Avatar is still something to be savoured. The gameplay, if not unique is at least extremely enjoyable and this, combined with the amazing visuals and Cameron's vision, makes it an experience not to be missed.

  GAME's Verdict

  

  • Original story.
  • Stunning looks.
  • Stealth elements.
  • Multiplayer mode.

  

  • Familiar gameplay style.
  • Can get a bit repetitive

  Review by: Simon 'Alien DNA' Kirrane
  Version Tested: PS3, Xbox 360
  Review Published: 03.12.09

  Published: 03/12/2009

• Black Ops beats Avatar to become 2010 biggest-selling entertainment product

  Proof, if any were needed, that games are the fastest-growing entertainment medium came yesterday in a report from industry site MCV. According to ERA data, Call of Duty: Black Ops was comfortably the biggest-selling entertainment product of last year. Activision perennially popular shooter sold a whopping 3.3 million copies, more than combined Blu-Ray and DVD sales of James Cameron Avatar.

  Just behind the 3D blockbuster in third place was EA SportsFIFA 11, which shifted 2.4 million units. Impressively, both sequels managed to top their predecessors, with Black Ops besting Modern Warfare 2 tally by 340,000 copies and FIFA sales improving year on year by well over 200,000 units.

  Just Dance made it a strong showing for games in the top ten, shaking its money-maker in ninth position with 1.3 million copies sold. Though only released in October, its sequel also managed a place on the list, just outside the top 20.

  Ubisoft was further represented by Assassin Creed: Brotherhood at 24, while Nintendo saw a combined total of 1.7 million sales for evergreen titles Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort, both of which were launched in 2009. Rockstar epic western Red Dead Redemption and Microsoft Halo: Reach made it a total of nine games in the Top 40. Could that tally increase when 2011 figures are revealed in 12 monthstime? We wouldn bet against it.

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