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Golden Compass, The ds Game Reviews
Golden Compass, The
Critic Score
Metascore: 43 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
5.0 out of 10
based on 7 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 2 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

The Golden Compass follows the screenplay adaptation of the first book in the acclaimed trilogy, capturing the fantasy adventure set in a parallel world where giant armored bears rule a kingdom, beautiful witches fly through the frozen skies, and human beings' deepest essence is manifest as talking animals that remain their faithful companion for life – their daemon. Players can assume the role of Lyra, a young girl, along with her daemon Pantalaimon (Pan), as she journeys through the frozen wastes of the North to rescue a friend kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as The Gobblers and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. Gamers can also take on the character of Iorek Byrnison, a great armoured polar bear who joins the quest. As Lyra, players use their daemon and collaborate with in-game characters, collecting special items in order to explore, evade, and deceive their way through confrontations with the Gobblers, the Magisterium, and the horribly dangerous spy fly to find her friend. They can also do battle as Iorek with special attacks and a riding mechanic as he protects Lyra during the journey. Gamers can unlock secrets and mini-games using a mysterious, truth-telling golden compass device called an alethiometer. Players can explore 13 vast locations, including all-new breath-taking environments not seen in the film, on this massive journey of collaboration, exploration and the eternal struggle between good and evil. [Sega]

PUBLISHER: Sega
DEVELOPER: A2M
GENRE(S): Action, Adventure
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2007

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

68
Cheat Code Central
As a children's game, The Golden Compass offers hours of fun with controls that aren't too complex, yet tasks that are challenging. With its 10+ rating, the game does offer some educational value and enough fun to keep kids interested.
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50
Worth Playing
It is a great disappointment that The Golden Compass for the NDS should be so sub-par.
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50
Pocket Gamer UK
A side-scrolling adventure based on a great book, with platforms, fighting and puzzles to negotiate. Some levels are fun, as is the touchscreen alethiometer, but a few good puzzles aside it's nowhere near as good as it should have been.
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41
n-Revolution Magazine UK
Something so workmanlike out of something that was so very inventive. [Issue#19, p.88]
40
PALGN
Not even the most dedicated fans of the movie will find this game to be of any interest. Children's game or not, The Golden Compass is well below par and not worth your money.
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40
IGN
Since the story has to be read through terrible talking heads, it would be far more enjoyable to just pick up the book. Then the reader can use their imagination to picture characters that don't look deformed, environments that aren't even blander than real life, and action that isn't repetitive and unfulfilling.
Read Full Review
20
Games Radar
Can’t Sega even be bothered to finish making the game before trying to pawn it off on us? Placeholder graphics, unfinished textures and sloppy physics are just a few of the sadistic treats this game has to offer - and the suck doesn’t stop there.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 5.0 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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