Build Igor up to fight big monsters! DS game (Igor (DS))

Member Name: julwhite

Product:	Igor (DS)
Date:	01/05/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reasonable puzzle game

Disadvantages: Not a lot of long-term interest

Igor is a puzzle and adventure type game for the Nintendo DS, loosely based on the film of the same name.

The game starts with a small tutorial to get you used to the controls, but the game is sometimes quite cryptic in a confusing rather than challenging sense. The aim is to solve puzzles whilst collecting items to progress through the game. I found the whole progression through the game rather clumsy, sometimes not entirely sure where I was going and for what purpose.

There is also a fighting element to the game where you have to play a Tetris type mini-game in order to win the fight and progress. By getting blocks together you are able to beat off your monster opponents and perform different moves, which is interesting for a while, but not the basis of a fighting game given how many times this has to be done.

The plot is really to build up Igor to be able to fight the tougher monsters, which you have to fight across six tournaments. To complete these tournaments requires fighting lots of different characters, and constantly building up the character. It's a reasonable plot in itself, but really requires a better fighting mechanism than the one we get.

Unfortunately the game play just gets a bit repetitive in the end, with the same sort of fights and the same sort of challenges throughout the game. I never got near to completing it (or at least I don't think I did, as the game isn't that well structured) although it was quite enjoyable playing along with the puzzles for a while, so there is a certain amount of game play to be had.

The graphics aren't too bad but are nothing particularly special, the fighting sequences are in 3D, with the actual map and exploration section being 2D. The sounds and music are more background noises rather than part of the game, and again aren't that impressive.

Using the Nintendo DS's wi-fi feature you can also play this game with friends, which does add a bit of extra interest, but in my view, only a limited amount.

The game is available currently for just 8.95 pounds on Amazon, compared to its original price of thirty pounds. The game is rated 7+ so is also suitable for slightly younger children. I would personally say that I don't like film licences being turned into games which are mediocre, as I do wonder how many parents buy them for their kids based on the film, only to be disappointed.

Overall, the game isn't too bad at its current price on Amazon of under nine pounds, especially as the game was only released towards the end of 2008. However I found the game of limited interest given its repetitive nature, but it's not a bad puzzle game for those that like that genre of games.

Summary: Just a bit repetitive in the end, but not bad if you can acquire the game cheaply