Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - (multi)
Developer: Eurocom
Format: multi
Genre: Action


A case of yo-ho-ho or prepare to walk the plank?



Here we go again. Another big budget summer blockbuster movie gets the videogame treatment and the glimmer of hope that this small screen franchise will replicate the atmosphere and experience of the big screen offering. It rarely works, it hasn't in the past for Pirates of the Caribbean games - and surprise, surprise it hasn't gone according to plan this time either.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will quite literally have you at your wits end if you're not too careful - such is the frustration and boredom that comes with this title. But before we sink this vessel to the murky depths of abandonment let us first consider any redeeming features it may have. Well, it looks nice. On the Xbox 360 version at least. And that's about it.

The moment you pick up the pad you know that it's not going to be a particularly enjoyable experience. The combat system has more holes in it than a string vest. It really is a case of button bashing until your thumbs bleed as the gormless CPU opponents put up such little resistance to your repetitive, tedious and frankly downright boring swordsmanship.

The brain numbing combat sequences are interspersed by sub standard Tomb Raider clone platform action that offers the normal array of swinging, climbing and jumping without delivering any real engagement or challenge. You may even have to move the odd box or pull a level or two. Yes, it's that kind of paint-by numbers generic movie cash-in that has 'lazy and uninspired' written all over it.

Don't be fooled by the pretty appearance. Beneath the facade lies a game with less depth than a Sahara puddle; and little ability to capture the atmosphere and feel of a long running movie franchise that deserves a game far superior to this.