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A Christmas Carol: Developed by Broken Sword creator Charles Cecil
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Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:25:50
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Quote:

"It was a really nice little project. I was approached by Disney to design a game based on a Christmas Carol and it turned out to be really fun. I believe it's very important for games to be able to broaden their horizons. If we, the industry, can start embracing classic works of literature like Dickens, then that's really breaking down a barrier there. I designed the high level and some of the low level, and then Sumo Digital designed the rest. But also, I did some place holder for the narration, and despite my protests, the Americans insisted that my voice be used for the final game. They simply said I had to. (Players take on) the hand of fate, guiding a very willful protagonist down the road to redemption, and he doesn't want to down that road at all. Players have to interact with people and the environment to make that happen, and it tells the story in really different way. I'm very happy with it." - Revolution Software's Charles Cecil



I remember posting this a while back, well now there is the first review of this game and I'm curious to read it.

http://www.monroeworld.com/forums/content.php?79-Review-Disney-s-A-Christmas-Carol-Nintendo-DS

" If you loved Zack & Wiki on the Wii, or really got off on point and click type adventures of the past, this game will feel like a warm glove you haven't worn in 20 years."

A Christmas Carol ScreenshotA Christmas Carol Screenshot

A Christmas Carol ScreenshotA Christmas Carol Screenshot

A Christmas Carol ScreenshotA Christmas Carol Screenshot

A Christmas Carol Screenshot

A Christmas Carol Screenshot

A Christmas Carol Screenshot

TRAILER

It's reading time Grinning

Edited: Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:04:55

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Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:51:20
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Finally, there is an EXTRAS menu item that gives you access to not just the credits but also Dickens' entire "ebook" - which you can read right on your DS (in book mode - i.e. DS turned sideways). Another nice little value add to the game.

Your task is to make the walk home for Scrooge as unpleasant as possible. You'll tap icicles to drop them on his head, dump over barrels of water to get him wet, shake signs to drop snow on him, etc. Basic, but remarkably fun and rewarding (depending on the scene). These levels are filled with hidden items too - so tap like mad!

The game is presented in GLORIOUS 2D .. thats right - this isn't a rendition of the CGI 3D film - it's completely hand-drawn 2D. For some, that might kill the game outright ... for me, that attracted me to the game immediately. I loves me some beautiful 2D graphics. The presentation is very comic-book style, but it's still animated as required. Like I said, if you played Secret of Monkey Island, King's Quest, etc. then you have an idea of how this looks. Screenshots are very revealing in this case.

The audio is quite adequate for this game - with proper renditions of Christmas classics backing the mini-games and appropriate piece music for the game's general score. There is high quality voice over work for the cut scenes featuring a nice British voice telling you story between levels

I gotta say - these kinda games come far and few between. This game is clearly not aimed at children but rather people that prefer a slower ride with some cerebral matter required to get through. The "completeness factor" of the game will keep you from breezing through it too fast and the game invites you to stop and smell the roses. Take your time. Enjoy it. We don't get that sort of game very often.

If you loved Zack & Wiki on the Wii, or really got off on point and click type adventures of the past, this game will feel like a warm glove you haven't worn in 20 years.

Clearly this game isn't for everyone - and while I have been spellbound by it a better part of the morning playing this, I'm sure I'm a minority member. I completely recommend the game at full price - if this review intrigues you. If you are put off by the pace or model of the game - stand clear. This will be a love-hate game for most people.

I must go on record as saying that if this is your type of game, spend the money now. Show developers we LIKE this kind of game and that we're willing to pay for them.

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Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:16:56
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This is the only review I could find.

http://www.game-boyz.com/content/node/12220

Conclusion

Disney’s A Christmas Carol not only contains a great story mode which is sure to attract fans of the original story, but it also contains such a variety of mini-games and puzzles that is bound to provide something for everyone to enjoy. Sure, the story mode takes some getting used to as the action and effect puzzles are a little frustrating at times, but wanting to see how the rest of the story will unfold really keeps you at work getting the actions right in order to solve each one. A Christmas Carol is definitely a great title for the holidays and especially great for kids as the advent calendar and mini-games can be enjoyed by all ages.

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