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Wall-E (PS3)

• Developer: THQ
• Publisher: THQ
• Genre: Platform
• Official Website: http://wall-e.playthq.com
• Score: 2 of 5: Strictly Rental

Being the tie-in video game of a movie is tough. Add to that being the tie-in of a movie that doesn't feature much action and you get mixed results, and WALL-E is no exception to the rule. Based off of the movie of the same name, you take control of the eponymous robot of the popular Pixar movie as you maneuver him around a garbage encrusted Earth. All is well until his life is changed by the arrival of another robot, EVE. Captivated by her, WALL-E follows EVE into space as they work together to bring proof of the healing Earth to the remaining humans.

The game starts out as an average if not mediocre platformer; you pilot WALL-E around the environment, following an essentially linear path by opening low difficulty puzzles. By using one of three different types of garbage blocks, you energize doors or weigh down levers to open up the next area while collecting various artifacts that unlock extras. The PS3 version includes the use of EVE once she arrives, and while controlling her for a short time helps stir up the mix, the level you use her in is contrived and too short to be memorable. Together WALL-E and EVE add long jumps and blasting to your puzzle solving repertoire, but it ultimately feels even more contrived. Even the blasting of enemy robots aboard the spaceship doesn't give much value to the game, as it feels like the developers were stretching to find as many different ways to attempt to make the game action-packed.

The graphics and sound are decent for the most part, as the Earth levels show a lot of detail. Unfortunately, you can tell that this game was rushed to completion with glaring inconsistencies that pop out occasionally. Most notable was the sandstorm effect which I almost thought was a joke the first time I encountered it. This carries over into the cut-scenes as well with well rendered models of WALL-E and EVE interacting, followed by horrible rendering of the human captain of the spaceship.

Controls are adequate, matching the difficulty of picking up the game with its target audience: children. Unlike the movie which appeals to adults, this game doesn't even attempt to pander to the older audience. Completionists may rejoice as there are hidden objects scattered around each level that unlock concept art and the occasional multiplayer map. But as the multiplayer is limited and just not fun, and the art is just a minimal reason to explore, I lost interest in even finding these objects early on in the game.  

WALL-E falls into the same pit-falls of every other movie related game out there, and while there are some fun things to take away from the game, it just isn't as inviting as the movie is. If you must absolutely pick up a copy, then I would send you to the PS2 version of the game that is tweaked down a little bit, but is pound for pound a better experience.

ESRB: E; it's WALL-E, after all
Plays like: a typical, simple platformer
Pros: easy fun that follows the movie of the same name
Cons: weak multiplayer

Oct 22, 2008 | 0 comments
Paul Bishop