Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie

Reviewed by Chris Short
May 4, 2005

Developer: Ubisoft Publisher: Ubisoft Website: Click Here Platform(s): PS2, GC, XBOX, XBOX 360, PC, PSP, DS, GBA Players: 1 ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Screenshot (all images from www.kingkonggame.com)

Grab a tub of popcorn. Peter Jackson's King Kong: TOGOTM brings cinema to videogame with a 1 st person view that places players in the silver screen version's plot. The game opens with cut scenes from the movie featuring superb voice acting from the actual talents of the feature film.

Players find themselves as Jack Driscoll on a boat to Skull Island . On Skull Island , shrieks bring chills to the bones upon the ground. Players encounter a wide array of beasts that come straight from a bag of miracle grow. The linear game play is fast paced as Carl Denham moves at a brisk pace to focus on developing the movie. It's hilarious when Jack Black (the voice of Carl Denham) cries out in pain for his camera as enormous monsters attack his cast and crew. Although the game lacks gauges for health or ammo, Jack will let players know when he's “running a little dry.” In these cases, Jack reminds himself that he's low on ammo. When damage is taken, the screen flashes with a dramatic affect that let's players know they're going under. By limiting these distractions, it's hard not to become immersed in the game.

Kong changes his game into 3 rd person view, destroying everything in sight. T-Rexes don't stand a chance against his attacks. Fighting is about as complex as an apes brain. When Kong sees a threat, he destroys it. It's that simple. If that wasn't enough, players get to navigate Kong during frantic romps through the jungle. The only feeling I can compare to swinging through the trees as Kong is how Spider-Man feels swinging through New York . I had hoped the game would be longer so that I could spend more time playing as Kong. I don't think I'm alone here.

By sticking to the plot of Peter Jackson's remake, any moviegoer can pick up a controller and conquer the inhabitants and puzzles of Skull Island . The game play is satisfying. The plot is succinct and focused. Controls are accurate. Subtitles would have been a nice feature for when company is over and you can't hear your next goal. At least in the event that you become lost, the games characters come back for Jack. Since King Kong's playtime is brief, it only warrants Medium Evo Factor status. Had Peter Jackson's King Kong been longer, the King would have been sitting on High.

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