This platform action game adapts the popular movie of the same name as players help scientist Flint Lockwood. The basic storyline surrounds Flint’s exploits throughout the Swallow Falls town as he solves problems created from his flavorful invention. Players are off and running after a base lab orientation. As play progresses, players can access levels and upgrades from the lab. The story and the general gameplay are mostly linear. It’s hard to get lost with limited movement within the environments while the trial-and-error maneuvering leaves a sour taste at times.
The game follows the film very well, so predictably, movie knowledge enhances the gameplay, For example, as Flint encounters gummy bears he wishes his companion monkey Steve could take care of the problem. This dialogue prompts a second player to join in (only on this version, Wii and Xbox 360) and creates some excitement as a reference to the mid air movie sequence where Steve fights off the bears. Spaghetti tornadoes and other chaotic action sequences serve up other extended scenarios, which were only briefly presented in the movie.
A second player can join in any time as Steve, who can use everything that Flint can, but must keep up because Steve’s player view centers on Flint. Most environments have a contained area where players problem solve their way through the level. Developers also incorporate other actions including some food cleaning using a large vacuum vehicle, which actually has some smooth controls.
Minor characters have no introductions but players can usually pick up the situation and context easily. Players won’t be confused when they see a girl on the lower screen making text comments. That’s Sam Sparks who has Flint’s similar passion for science, meteorology in particular. Since the developers have focused on action more than story, the environments, format and controls become important factors.
The colorful graphics and environments do not have much depth, but provide appeal and keep players away from any navigation issue with clear, defined images. Developers incorporate the same retro 8-bit film themes into the game menus and text bars, which can provide some reading challenges for young gamers though the text frequency is fairly low. Summary still screens with text at the bottom appear after conquering different sections instead of video cut scenes. Players get unlimited continues and plenty of PlayStation 3 trophy rewards, blueprint puzzle pieces and other hidden items, which creates a pleasant experience and sizable replay value.
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