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Platform Filters:   All Platforms  Xbox   GameCube   PlayStation 2   PC   Game Boy Advance   Site Sections:   Updates  News   Games   Publishers   Developers   Reviews   Previews   Release Dates   Editorials   Glossary   Contact Us		Review:       1st August 2005: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  Congratulations on winning that prized Golden Ticket. Now do hurry along, much to do and not much time to do it in. Posted by Chris Snook - Xbox,GameCube,PlayStation 2,PC - UK and Europe Willy Wonka. One of the most ingenious creations of the late Roald Dahl and certainly one of the most enigmatic. Yet in the latest adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory he plays second fiddle to the titular hero, which makes for a far more interesting game. Based on the famous book by Roald Dahl, this tie in is one of the best that has occurred in a while. Within it follows the basic story of Charlie Bucket who hails from a poor background and who dreams of a better life. All that changes when he is one of the five lucky recipients of a golden ticket hidden inside a bar of Wonka chocolate, as part of a once in a lifetime promotion by the reclusive Willy Wonka, owner of the most famous chocolate factory in the whole world. The prize that the ticket heralds is nothing more than a personal tour of the factory, which for years has been a mystery as there are apparently no workers left in side to supervise the creation of all the confection. There is a lot of variety within, ranging from obvious puzzlers to a few platform puzzles and even once or twice high speed chases that test the reflexes a fair bit. The action begins with Charlie wishing he could buy a chocolate bar when a ten dollar note flutters past through the snow, so sparking a chase to gain a hold of that precious green coloured paper, one that involves scooting through the streets and rooftops in order to finally lay claim to that precious ten dollars. Then being a conscientious lad he only buys a single bar of chocolate, one with a winning ticket within. He is of course not alone, there are four other winners, each an obnoxious child with flaws that today would probably earn them a spot in care, a career on the Jerry Springer circuit or an ASBO. Spoilt, over indulged and overweight are the kindest words that can be used. There is also Grandpa Joe, Charlie's grandfather and a former worker at the Wonka Factory, before it closed so many years ago. The majority of the game centres around the misfortunes of the other kids as they wend their way around the factory, Augustus Gloop falling into the Chocolate River, so plugging up the pipes or Violet Beauregarde's problems with chewing gum and being juiced. There are four or five puzzle levels associated with each one, with interludes in some of the testing areas, each presenting new puzzles challenges and powers. Many of which are required to complete the tasks set for Charlie as he misses most of the tour to aid the brats in their predicaments. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a visual feast. With vivid almost vivacious graphics that leap out from the screen. A riot of colour and composition as you for the first time enter into the land of Willy Wonka. Of particular note is the first area of the Factory, the glades based around the chocolate river, it is here that everything is at its brightest and most imaginative. That is not to say that elsewhere is drab but there is a quality here that stands it out above the rest. Animations are smooth and are pitched just the right side of cartoony, whilst capturing the look of the actors in the film very well. Musically CATCF, is eerie, from the opening screen where you are treated with a choral piece that lays the groundwork for the rest of the game. There are the occasional elements that fade in and out, drifting through to add touches where they are needed. The voice talent is also on the whole good, with all but Johnny Depp reprising their roles from the film, despite this Wonka still works, coming across as someone who enjoys having fun and resents his fun (really his work) disrupted. The one downside is that there are repetitions of phrases and at times inappropriate ones, most often when ordering an Oompa Loompa to recover something Charlie asks "Can you make it work?. Minor but it should have been caught. Effects are appropriate, with sproings, boings and others putting in an appearance, adding to the effect of considered wonder of a land unlike nay other. There is quite a bit to do, with each mission potentially taking up a half hour each, as you sit down to try and work out what is going on and how to fix it (there is help with the aid of Grandpa Joe and his hints) then setting down to actually enact that fix. They can also be frustrating as you try to perform something and find that it just does not work. Their is also a slight question mark over the replay value, something that is going to be dependant on how old you are, as there are little side things to do and things to discover on each level. Whilst the level design and the over all way the game plays is fine, the controls have a habit of not being exact or over sensitive, certainly when you gain the balloon bounce ability, at that point it becomes almost uncontrollable. Pathing for the Oompa Loompa's can also be spotty, with them occasionally taking a grand tour around the landscape, even when there is direct, open path. They also seem to get confused if you stand in their way. Some of the puzzle elements are also baffling, taking a while to determine what you need to do and how to get there, sometimes having to restart a whole level in order to have another better go at it. The autosave included is most useful here, still it is frustrating to have to do this. The display is clear and delivers a decent level of information, regarding the status of Charlie and his little workforce. The puzzles despite the difficulty at times are well thought out and the use of different types of Oompa Loompa adds a little twist on how to deal with things, even if at later points it can be confining to have to gain a specific Oompa Loompa to perform a specific task and then not be able to figure out how to do so. As a bonus the platform elements are not the be all and end all of the puzzles, a welcome relief form games that just have to add platforms because they make good puzzles. In all Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will delight those for whom it is aimed at and will provide a mild diversion for those it is not, as such it needs to be looked at from the view of those who are younger and as such is a decent little title with much going for it. A nice triple caramel fudge blend of style with a helping of substance. Chris Snook             Latest Images:		Review Scores:    Graphics:   Sound:   Gameplay:   Length:   Overall: Click here for our Review Score Guidelines.  Review Summary:  A title firmly aimed at the younger audience that manages to splice a sense of swagger and a visual sweep that is pleasant to see with a sense of fun, topped with a bundle of clever puzzles that at times can be tricky to complete. There are issues with controls and the way the Oompa Loompa's navigate around the areas, but nothing vastly drastic.  Related Games:  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for PlayStation 2  4  Screenshots  1  Review Click here for All Game Information. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for GameCube  1  Review Click here for All Game Information. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for Xbox  1  Review Click here for All Game Information.
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