Video games based on film franchises are generally not something to get too excited about. Granted, this seems to be changing, what with the recent success of Batman: Arkham Asylum and even X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Unfortunately, for every successful platform crossover there have been numerous failures.
Avatar looks decidedly different though.
For a start, it has been developed alongside the film, with widely publicized cross-pollination taking place between the two projects.
Events in the game take place ten years before those in the film. In the film, a capitalist corporation known as the RDA has already settled on planet Pandora, lured by the discovery of a highly valuable yet difficult to obtain mineral called Unobtainium (yes, really).
The planet is inhabited by all kinds of dangerous and exotic native beasts. From deadly plants to the ten foot tall Na’vi humanoids and a toxic atmosphere, the planet is about as un-human friendly as it gets. Nevertheless, the RDA are determined to take advantage of the mineral deposits, and a war between the mechanized human forces and the nature wielding Na’vi erupts.
Because the game takes place ten years before all this, the human mining corporation is still trying to set up their colony. The player assumes the role of an RDA agent who must control an avatar on the planet Pandora. The Avatar is an artificially constructed hybrid of human and Na’vi DNA, with the player’s consciousness supplanted into it. This is necessary, as human’s cannot survive on Pandora with breathing gear.
Players start out working against the Na’vi in their Avatar form, but as they venture further into the world of Pandora and the Na’vi people, the lines between right and wrong become clear.
At some point, players are given the choice to switch sides and fight alongside the Na’vi natives, or continue with the RDA mercenaries as they blast their way across the planet.
This presents players with a not unusual moral dilemma, as well as ability to replay the game as the opposite faction the second time around.
The game will take on a third person view point, and will mix action with adventure gameplay. It will also make use of the same 3D technology that is being used in the film, and with special glasses the player will be able to experience the game in three dimensions.
Avatar will feature a full day-night cycle, as well as a wide variety of weapons and vehicles to commandeer. Players will have to survive the harsh environment and the creatures that inhabit it, including massive beasts of T-Rex-ian proportions.
It runs on an updated Dunia engine, which Far Cry 2 fans will be familiar with, and the visuals are looking extraordinarily slick.
We have been waiting for some time now to find out if Avatar will be another weak movie tie in, or a truly memorable gaming experience. Fortunately, gamers need not wait much longer, as Avatar is due for release this Friday on PS3, Xbox 360, PC and Wii.
View Avatar Screen shots on MyGaming
