Polar Express, The
© 2004 THQ, Inc.
This 3D exploration of eight different Polar Express worlds contains some perplexingly difficult challenges, many of which are also addictingly fun. The format is hardly unique -- each level asks you to solve a specific challenge which is introduced with a short movie clip. For example, to retrieve a child's lost ticket, you move through eight cars of the train, dodging mischievous marionettes that pop up from anywhere, sneaking past the cook, or kicking soccer balls into large bins. Too many stumbles sends you way back to the start. While the graphics and music are beautiful, some levels are too hard for younger players who comprise the film's audience. Someday, perhaps video games will be customizable, to let players skip the frustratingly difficult levels. The PS2 edition of the game has two additional activities designed especially for the EyeToy (decorate a tree by scaring away nasty puppets with hand waves, and drive the Polar Express by wiping the snow from the windshield and controlling track switches). There is no worrisome content. Games can be saved if you have a memory card (not needed for the Windows version). Created by Blue Tongue Entertainment for THQ, Inc. using Bink Video and RenderWare.
$30, Windows, GameCube, PlayStation 2
Teaches: timing, logic, strategy, persistence