DESCRIPTION

Based on Philip Pullman's best-selling novel and New Line Cinema's theatrical interpretation, The Golden Compass follows the story of 11-year-old Lyra Belacqua, who leaves behind the familiar trappings of her boarding school to embark on an epic adventure to save her uncle and her closest friend. One is imprisoned, the other kidnapped, somewhere within a desolate arctic kingdom ruled by animals and witchcraft.

Joining Lyra on her perilous quest is the demon Pan, a shape-shifting manifestation of her soul, and an armored polar bear named Iorek. Players will explore 11 areas from the book and film by alternating control of these principal characters. To help Lyra navigate the 3D environments, Pan can freely transform into one of four animal guises: an ermine, hawk, sloth, and a wildcat. Each form lets Lyra climb, jump, fly, and perform other actions to solve puzzles or to avoid traps.

In addition to Lyra and Pan, players will guide the ferocious Iorek in combat encounters viewed from a third-person perspective. Wolves and other packs of enemies must be defeated using a combination of swipes, bites, and charge moves. The titular compass, Lyra's alethiometer, is used to decode secrets, answer questions, and unlock bonus content throughout the game. Featured locales include Jordan College, London, Trollesund, Bolvangar, and Svalbard. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide