Where the Wild Things Are
Yes, I read Where the Wild Things Are to my son when he was little.
He responded with the bored equanimity that children display when being read a book their parents favor.
I probably remember more of the story than my son does. It's a short, thin book, more like a parable than a story.
I have yet to see the movie, but the graphics in the game correspond well to the muted drawings I remember in the book.
Purists will respond better if they look upon the game as a sequel with the mood, monsters and Max still intact.
The adventure, if it was to be a game had to be fleshed out.
There are basically two areas in the game; the village where exploration is mostly devoid of
hazardous encounters and introduces the player to: flying with fern wings; floating down on dandelion seeds;
hitting water plants to get water balloons to dump on plants to make vines grow skyward;
and getting healing hugs from the monsters. The game affords lots of opportunity for hitting.
On the trail, following one or two of the monsters is a different experience.
Hazards, mostly biting fireflies, bees and crabs are encountered almost continuously.
The monsters are not much help - they do not deal with the insects and can easily jump over obstacles that the player must navigate.
In addition, there is an ominous black goo spreading over the island that
will have to be dealt with - serious and a departure from the book and the movie.
There is a lot in the game and many nice touches.
Some obstacles are difficult for children - or should I say adults.
I got stuck at the teeter-totter tree trunk.
But all in all the game is a very satisfactory spin-off from the book.
Reviewed by: Editor - 11/09
Ages: Everyone +10
Fun Factor: Wide variety of play
Female Factor: Would have been a different game if Max were Maxine.
Player Friendly: Good introduction to the tools of the game.