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THQ delivers an action RPG aimed at younger gamers. Based on the Nickelodeon of the same name, Avatar attempts to a broad audience but ends up a solid if simple action RPG title.
Avatar stars Aang, a child Airbender, or someone who can bend fire, water, air, or earth into a weapon. There are four factions at war with each other and the Fire Nation is currently trying to wipe out the other three. Aang is the only Airbender who can successfully bend all four elements and because of this ability is tasked with saving the three remaining nations. Along the way he is joined by other characters. Overall, the light story is pleasant if straightforward.
As mentioned above, Avatar has both some RPG elements intertwined with its fighting. Although you begin the game playing as Aang, you’ll eventually get to play as other characters, each with different moves which are executed by moving the Wiimote around. You can have up to four characters in your party and the AI does a decent job of controlling the remaining NPCs. As you fight, you’ll earn experience points that you can use to upgrade your special moves and basic attacks. Along the way you’ll have to pull off focus moves by drawing a symbol onscreen using the Wiimote. It’s a fun minigame largely because the game doesn’t require too much accuracy.
As you progress, the game fills up your health and special attack meters if you’re not being attacked which makes even the packs of enemies thrown at you fairly easy to get rid of. Fighting these enemies will earn you items and money to get new gear. Aside from the typical enemies, you’ll find bosses which are typically harder although not by much. The main game should last about six hours but you can easily spend double that by completing sidequests like finding a missing person and collecting hidden items.
Visually, Avatar does a good job of remaining faithful to the cartoon show. The cel-shaded characters look great and animate very well although we would have liked to see more variety in the animation. The game’s environments aren’t technically complex with relatively simple textures and architecture but nonetheless fit into the visual scheme very well. The Wii version has graphics comparable to the last-generation versions of the game.
The voice acting in the game is provided by the show’s cast and they typically do a good job of breathing action into the game. The background music is catchy and light-hearted which works very well for the game.
Avatar: The Last Airbender, for younger gamers, is a solid introduction to the action RPG genre, especially if they enjoy the series. Older gamers may be bored of the somewhat repetitive fighting and the very light RPG elements, however. -- Jose Liz, PGNx Media
---- Jan 31, 2007
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