Metacritic Games

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Playstation 2)

Based on the unfortunately successful book series and the feature film starring Jim Carrey, this is the tale of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire, whose parents perish in a fire. Soon after, they are sent to live with their sinister uncle, Count Olaf, in a most cavernous mansion. Great tragedy becomes greater misfortune as Olaf's despicable plans are revealed and the siblings must combine forces to prevent the Count and his henchmen from seizing their immense family fortune. Switch among the Baudelaire orphans and utilize their special skills as you journey through 15 perilous missions, from the deep catacombs beneath Olaf’s mansion to the gloomy shores of Lake Lachrymose. Collect household items with Violet, the intrepid inventor, and assemble them into cool contraptions for puzzle-solving and combat. Wield those items with Klaus, the brave intellect, to battle Olaf’s minions. And mind the tottering toddler, Sunny, as she chomps valiantly through obstacles in the orphans’ path with her 4 very sharp teeth. Should you emerge victorious in your attempt to foil Count Olaf's wicked plans, rest assured your success will be temporary, as only woe awaits you in A Series of Unfortunate Events. [Activision]

Activision
Action, Adventure, Platform
Players: 1
E (Everyone)
Developer: Amaze Entertainment
Released November 9, 2004

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

63 / 100

Critic Reviews

85 GameZone
Very linear, which may cut down on replayability. The look, feel and general style of the game makes for an entertaining game experience that will leave you smiling.
85 XGP Gaming
The storybook presentation is truly wondrous and the way that the scenes appear as if they are being drawn solely for the gamer really reaches out and touches something inside in a great way.
83 Cinescape
That's the big thing this title has going for it. It's fun to experience this amazing world, and if there was something focused on during the game design it was making sure that the world was a good place to go play in.
80 Gaming Nexus
It’s one of the best children-oriented titles to arrive in years.
80 PGNx Media
The gameplay is pretty undemanding but fundamentally sound; the different characters manage the spice the game up a bit, as well. The game would be rated higher if the length was a touch longer; it clocks in at just over 5 hours.
78 Game Chronicles
The secrets, however, are well worth collecting. You can unlock stills from the movie set to music, production photos, and even "story time with Count Olaf".
76 Next Level Gaming
Despite an interesting story and what should have been a solid puzzle solving game engine, it just turns out to be too easy and to be honest a little on the boring side for me.
72 Gamezilla!
f you look at Lemony as a game targeted at a younger audience, it works well as the simple gameplay and story telling is probably going to appeal to that audience.
71 IGN
A faithful rendition of the books and should please young fans. The gameplay at times feels a bit too dumbed down, but is overall an excellent example of what can be done with a game designed specifically for children.
70 Console Gameworld
A game high on polish, but lacking in substance and only recommended for hardcore Snicket fans.
70 AceGamez
The game as a whole is very forgiving - too forgiving in fact. If you're an experienced gamer, or even an adult who plays occasionally, you shouldn't find the puzzles, bad guys, bosses or exploration too much of a hindrance and will probably complete the game in about 10 hours.
69 GamingTrend
It lacks the depth needed to become a really good adventure game, and ends up being a platform game with some good puzzles built in.
65 eToychest
While considerably longer than the PC game of the same name, it is really not a lot of fun to play, whereas that game made me laugh out loud a handful of times.
65 Worth Playing
The level designs are somewhat inventive, especially where Violet is involved, but mostly they feel like the developers talking down to their audence.
65 TotalPlayStation
The minigames and Sunny's bits are quite well-done, but the lackluster audio, sloppy controls and general lack of graphical punch drag the experience down.
63 Game Informer
The wry subtlety of the novels' text pops up once in a while, but not nearly enough, which leaves only a derivative and dull game where there could have been a humorous midadventure. [Jan 2005, p.119]
60 PSX Nation
Too short and easy for grown-ups but just about right for the target audience of both the books and the Jim Carrey movie currently out in theaters.
60 G4 TV
All the timed events, amusing physics-based puzzles, likeable characters, and strange contraptions will be a treat for fans of the books and movie.
58 Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
An average adventure game, well-presented but repetitive. Youngsters should find it easy to play. [GamesMaster]
50 Sydney Morning Herald
The difficulty level is accommodating for youngsters, although the controls can be unwieldy. Sadly, the fun is short-lived, with no multi-player modes or replay appeal.
50 Boomtown
With age, tends to come more gaming aptitude, which will mean you’ll make quick work of Lemony Snicket’s and a yearning for a bit more of a challenge. By all means though, give it to your toddler and they’ll go wild.
50 PALGN
An incredibly simple platformer that most people will find entirely too basic and boring.
42 Gaming Age
Simply a boring, run of the mill adventure that likely would not have turned out much different if there were six months tacked onto the development time or another developer was at the helm.
40 Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
When even a game's manual asks, "Wouldn't you rather play something else?" consider taking the hint. [Feb 2005, p.83]
15 Warcry
Some concepts are just not meant to be made into video games.

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