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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Golden Compass, The
Generally unfavorable reviews
Based on 25 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 9 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Shiny Entertainment
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
Release Date: December 4, 2007
Summary
The Golden Compass follows the screenplay adaptation of the first book in the acclaimed trilogy, capturing the fantasy adventure set in a parallel world where giant armored bears rule a kingdom, beautiful witches fly through the frozen skies, and human beings' deepest essence is manifest as talking animals that remain their faithful companion for life – their daemon. Players can assume the role of Lyra, a young girl, along with her daemon Pantalaimon (Pan), as she journeys through the frozen wastes of the North to rescue a friend kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as The Gobblers and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. Gamers can also take on the character of Iorek Byrnison, a great armoured polar bear who joins the quest. As Lyra, players use their daemon and collaborate with in-game characters, collecting special items in order to explore, evade, and deceive their way through confrontations with the Gobblers, the Magisterium, and the horribly dangerous spy fly to find her friend. They can also do battle as Iorek with special attacks and a riding mechanic as he protects Lyra during the journey. Gamers can unlock secrets and mini-games using a mysterious, truth-telling golden compass device called an alethiometer. Players can explore 13 vast locations, including all-new breath-taking environments not seen in the film, on this massive journey of collaboration, exploration and the eternal struggle between good and evil. [Sega]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameFAQs
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Game Chronicles
Despite the mere average visuals and sound presentation (music not withstanding), The Golden Compass was a fun adventure and a fantastic gameplay experience that took me the better part of two days to complete.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Despite some glaring flaws. the game is worth a look if you loved the novels and the movie. [Feb 2008, p.78]
Games Master UK
Young gamers will love it while it lasts, but in another case of movie-tie-in-itis it's no classic. [Jan 2007, p.60]
Cheat Code Central
Despite its uninspired gameplay, the simple tasks and challenges may appeal to a younger audience, especially those that've seen the film. But if you're part of the "+" demographic in The Golden Compass' "E10+" rating, then you'll likely be bored soon after Iorek's opening wolf-whuppin' battle sequence.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
There's no reason to play The Golden Compass unless the movie or book absolutely monopolizes your imagination. [Jan 2008, p.62]
Read Full Review >Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
As in many of these cases, if you liked the movie you’ll probably enjoy revisiting the story and characters. But that doesn’t make it a good game. [Jan 2008]
Play Magazine
Anyway, not to belabor the point, but the most golden of compasses will point in the only direction that truly matters. Away. [Jan 2008, p.51]
GameSpot
The Golden Compass is just another family-friendly film cash-in with few redeeming qualities.
Read Full Review >Gamer 2.0
There’s not really much more to say about the game other than just ranting about our horrible experience with it. Surely, that would bore you, our respected readers. We’re actually somewhat sorry that you’re being exposed to this game in the first place. Please, look elsewhere for gaming if you want to do yourselves a favor.
Read Full Review >Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Laughable. [Feb 2008, p.85]
1UP
Disappointing, unpolished, and disjointed, the game is thankfully short enough that the minigames and Pan's animal powers don't grow overly tiresome. That sentiment applies for the entire game though -- the simplistic gameplay is tedious, but there's little of it so it never manages to provoke high levels of vitriol.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
Simply shocking; it is a poorly put together mishmash of ideas that never gels. Ugly, repetitive and painfully boring, its mercifully short length and rousing orchestral score are its only redeeming qualitites.
Read Full Review >IGN
Even if you were completely charmed by Philip Pullman's work or enjoyed the movie adaptation, there's absolutely no reason to give this game a try. Even the music, as pretty as it is, can't redeem such poor gameplay and atrocious presentation.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
It pains me to say this, but turn off your TV and just read the book or head to your local theater. This is a story everyone must experience, just don’t try interacting with it.
Read Full Review >GameZone
Above the annoyances and lack of originality is the absence of something every game needs to survive: fun gameplay.
Read Full Review >MEGamers
No matter how hard you look trying to find something good about this game, you won’t come up with anything. Trust me, I tried.
Read Full Review >Xbox360Achievements
A terrible depiction of the book, but not much of a surprise to anyone that saw the film. It does a very bad job of turning a story that isn’t suited to it into a game, as everything about it feels tacked on and not in keeping with the story in the slightest.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
The Golden Compass isn't the worst game based on a movie, but it's close. It's a combination of uninspired platforming, poorly implemented mini-games and slow and broken storytelling.
Read Full Review >X360 Magazine UK
A confusing tie-in that delights in the incompetence of its young audience, The Golden Compass makes absolutely no sense. Still, at least we got to throw projectiles at a monkey. [Issue 28, p.96]
Eurogamer
The ideas aren't all bad and on paper this must have sounded like a rich and promising game. However, the game far overreaches itself and the coding, visuals and execution of those ideas is comprehensively unpolished.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine UK
Its shear randomness and awfulness is a remarkable sight. Take it from us that its not a spectacle you need to witness first hand, nor have staining your Gamertag forever more.
Read Full Review >Team Xbox
There’s no excuse for just how bad and unfinished The Golden Compass turned out to be. This is one experience that should have been left in the theatres.
Read Full Review >GameDaily
The camera moves about uncontrollably, making it hard to navigate certain areas or get a lock on enemies. Do not walk in this game's direction.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
In general, playing the game is a sinusoidal process of momentary elation as you uncover a new element, quickly followed by deep disappointment as you discover it’s a piece of crap.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 3.4 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Nikolai gave it a0:
Why do software developers continue to create games based upon movies? No matter how much the studio offers you to make it, just say no. Almost every single time it's a dud. Boring gameplay for a relatively decent movie. Let the movie do its own business and stop selling out to make a few extra bucks. It will lend more credibility to you to develop original games rather than movie knock offs.
