The same me in two different worlds

My imagination isn’t bad, you know. My bus ride to work is actually a space shuttle to Venus. But what I get to enjoy through my mind’s eye is pitiful compared to what you’ll encounter in “Turning Point: Fall of Liberty” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles”, out this week on Xbox 360.

So imagine, if World War II had been less favourable to Europe and America, and that Germany invaded New York City. This is the premise behind Turning Point: Fall of Liberty, and one that’s made even more appealing because the hero, Dan Carson, is a construction worker. It’s the kind of role Hollywood might cast Bruce Willis or Will Smith to perform, and it feels just awesome to act the part. Because Turning Point is a first-person shooter the impact of battling enemy troops in and around famous NYC landmarks hits much harder. This would be a must-see movie for me, but as a game it works so much better.

‘What if?’ scenarios are compelling when handled so cleverly as Turning Point. In Sierra Entertainment’s videogame adaptation of The Spiderwick Chronicles, though, it’s pure childlike fantasy that sucks you in deep. The Spiderwick game is based on the Paramount / Nickelodeon adaptation of books written by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. I’ve been keen to get started on this since I knew that Stormfront Studios (LOTR: The Two Towers, Eragon) created the Xbox 360 adventure. Once again this is a slick production that looks simply amazing with the twins Jared and Simon battling spectacularly alongside sister Mallory. The action-adventure approach to Spiderwick on Xbox really allows Stormfront to have fun with individual character moves to outsmart the likes of frighteningly versatile goblins and ogres.

Well, the gong just sounded here which means that lizard men are throwing a party in the forest next to the kitchen. I should go, but catch you guys next week okay?

Graeme Boyd, Xbox.com Community Manager, Gamertag: AceyBongos

Out This Week

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Turning Point: Fall of Liberty