DreamWorks Animation SKG has entertained millions around the world with its unique brand of visual style and humorous storytelling. So it's no surprise that the folks at Activision Inc. forged a partnership with DreamWorks to bring the magic of the movies to the Xbox® console.
Madagascar™ lets players of all ages take the reins of the film's quirky cast of misfit mammals in a globe-trotting adventure. We spent some hands-on time with the game and put it through its paces.
Animal House The story begins in the heart of the Big Apple at the Central Park Zoo. It's Marty the zebra's 10th birthday, and he's experiencing a midlife crisis of sorts. He escapes his cage with the aid of his penguin friends, and begins his journey back into the wild.
Marty's other friends worry that his years in New York have made him unfit to travel alone. Alex the lion, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippopotamus follow their striped comrade's trail through the streets of Manhattan and beyond, ultimately landing on the exotic shores of Madagascar.
The gameplay in Madagascar is equal parts exploration and acrobatics. At the outset, each animal possesses rudimentary running and jumping skills, but learns new moves as "power cards" are collected. The unlocked abilities vary for each animal, and include unique moves like the double-jump, butt bounce, and helicopter-glide.
Once you smack down a legion of critters with Gloria's mammoth posterior, you realize that Madagascar doesn't take itself too seriously. You can expect plenty of chuckle-worthy moments throughout its 11 levels, which are rich in visual flair and packed with comedic moments. To advance the story, you defeat enemies, retrieve items, protect allies, and partake in scores of mini-games.
Hear me roar!
Family Fun Madagascar is Rated T, and parents can rest assured that the game is suitable for all your teens. But it's not a "kiddy" game with dumbed-down gameplay. Madagascar packs enough action and excitement to please players young and old alike, and its cartoon violence and crude humor are never gratuitous or adult in nature.
The voice acting and script are tied to events in the film, and developer Toys for Bob has successfully captured the spirit and individuality of each character. Even the environments have a life of their own.
Crabs and turtles scuttle the island's sandy beaches while seagulls swirl overhead to a rhythmic soundtrack. It's hard not to smile when Alex begins juggling mangoes or frantically swipes at the giant spider crawling up his back when you sit idle for too long. These little touches add personality to a game that could have easily cashed in on the movie license without effort.
A Treasure Trove of Unlockables Madagascar gives you the incentive to collect game items by rewarding you with a host of unlockables.
The Zoovenir Shop cashes in Monkey Money for a wide variety of purchasable items and mini-games. You can gain access to Tiki Mini-Golf, Shuffleboard, and the Lemur Rave by visiting the store and turning in your simian simoleons. You can also use your hard-earned cash to purchase health upgrades for your characters or adorn them with accessories.
You can return to any level you've unlocked and replay it as often as you like. Secrets are cleverly hidden throughout the game, so you have plenty of reason to go back and explore.
In the end, Madagascar is all about having fun. During our brief preview session, we were grinning ear to ear.
