As was mentioned in the previous preview and in our interview with the producer, the story of the game spans both Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End. Given that the game has been in development for around two years, it explains the absence of a substantial tie-in last year. It seems that the game hasn’t confined itself to strictly following the story of the movies, as there have been numerous offshoots, additions and side-tracks that have been added to the game. Given that the game spans two movies, this seems to have allowed the developers some leeway for adding substance to both versions of the game.
As was also mentioned in the interview, the current-gen game has been slated for release on Wii, PS2, PSP and PC. While the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game are being touted as more realistic and immersive gaming experiences powered by High Definition, these versions are looking to take more of a caricatured and casual approach. Hence, it will be aimed at a slightly younger demographic. While it's easy to dismiss the title on this basis, from what we were shown and from what we played, this version has enough to stand up to its more detailed counterpart.
One of many scripted but amusing scenarios.
The version that was demonstrated to us was the Wii version. For all intents and purposes, content is relatively the same across the four platforms. And while there's a bit more focus on variety then combat, it was always going to be the case that the Wii version would implement some sort of motion control in the combat. Thankfully, it actually works quite well, with well-defined combos (or Wii-mote motions) being much more rewarding than aimless flailing. The combat also has some thought and variety to it. The block move is limited, so can't just stonewall your way through situations, you'll ahve to fight back. The combat engine also allows you to parry, deflect and dodge. Often the environment will be able to help you as well.
This version also encourages exploration of your surroundings, as there's a lot of goodies and side-quests to discover along the way. Furthermore, the game is filled with a bunch of mini-games that are sure to keep players occupied, including the dice game that was played on Davey Jones’ ship (though we’re a bit confused as to how to actually play). PSP owners, it's worth noting, will be able to play these mini-games across a local network. Whenever the players take the role of Jack Sparrow, they will come across situations where they need to perform “Jackanisms”. These are sequences where you need to press all the correct inputs with the on-screen prompts, and Jack will perform a series of manoeuvres to get out of trouble, in a manner that only Jack can.
Shake as prompted.
While you’ll primarily play as Jack, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan, the game will actually have sixty (yes, sixty) different character avatars to play as. From the time we spent with the game, we felt that the current-gen versions actually had the potential to upstage the more illustrious next-gen iterations. While there's no denying the visual prowess of the HD versions, the current-gen titles felt like the culmination of the current-gen gaming design coming together very nicely. However, we won’t know the final result until the games are released in the near future.
In terms of looks, while the game is obviously not as highly detailed as its Xbox 360 or PS3 cousins, it actually manages to retain a spiffy look all of its own. As mentioned, the game takes a caricatured approach, but at the same time manages to actually maintain the Pirates feel. Furthermore, the Wii version doesn’t look like just another sloppy port. It seems that Eurocom has actually managed to tap into some of the power that the Wii has on offer, so the game looks marginally better than a lot of the other ports that we've seen so far.
Overall, it wouldn't be surprising if the Wii version of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End will upstage the more technologically advanced versions. From our hands-on time, the game had the edge in terms of gameplay and variety, and the Wii-mote implementation has been well thought out, rather than slapped on. As things stand, we actually look forward to going through both versions of the game, when they're released in the very near future.
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