LEGO: Pirates of the Caribbean
I grudgingly appreciate the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I don’t think they’re art and they could use some serious editing, but I grew up near Disneyland and the ride is etched in my head. So are pirate movies from the past like The Black Pirate, Captain Kidd and that Disney Treasure Island with that guy people over 60 remember. Depp is awesome as Sparrow, the rest is cannon fire and cutlesses and, yar, they sure ain’t been enough of that lately.
LEGO makes games siblings, friends and parents can play together. My boy, Henry (8) and I have tackled LEGO Batman and both LEGO Star Wars-es. We missed Harry Potter and Indiana Jones is next up. It’ll be hard going back because Pirates, and perhaps other more recent LEGO games, now lets players separate. A huge change that makes the game more fun, especially when playing with a willful 8-year old.
The game itself is brilliant, perhaps the best yet. It’s huge, featuring all four movies, including the new one and it’s jammed packed with stuff to do after the adventure is done. It’s 2-player, like always, and at times the puzzles can be maddening, but it’s cute, cuddly and a lot of fun to share with a loved one of any age.
The levels are lovingly crafted, highlights include The Fountain of Youth from the new one, the giant wheel from the second one and anything featuring Davey Jones. The cinematics are always funny, and full of in-jokes, and they often satire the movie. SPOILER: Jack Sparrow brandishes a toothbrush as he enters the Kraken’s maw.
Great for clever 7-year olds, but perfect for 9 and awesome with a friend or with dad. This be a game to game with children, says I.
July 2nd, 2011 at 10:58 am
I’ve polished off both SW2 and the Harry Potter one with my 5 year old (though she was 4 when we started). Would have liked the split-screen, but it’s still a blast. She really wants Pirates as well…
July 2nd, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Dang, I knew Indiana Jones (next, after Marvel Ultimate Alliance – die Galactus!) was old school but I was hoping that Harry Potter was where the new split screen started. James, if you like LEGO games, go get Pirates now. It’s worth full-price, I think, it’s the first real advancement to the series. Still frustrating and imperfect, but better than ever.
July 2nd, 2011 at 11:35 pm
though… it will put the theme song and, even moreso, a jaunty “downtime/explore” variation of the theme song, in your head permanently. Dah-da-da-da-doo-doo-da-dadadadat.