Monsters
Inc. – Scare Island is an exciting action adventure where corporate training
takes on a new twist.
Mike and
Sully have been enrolled in the Scare Island corporate training program so that
they may become Monsters Inc.’s top scare team. The object of this fun 3-D
platform-style action game is to help Mike and Sully earn bronze, silver, and
gold medals by scaring 8 nerves (mechanical substitutes for children) in each of
12 levels.
The game
uses keystroke action, which is a more complicated style of game play than point
and click with mouse, and requires the player to become familiar with the game
controls. Fortunately, the game starts out with an orientation level, which is
a tutorial on how to play the game and use the keyboard. There is also a lot of
help from the mailboxes, which provide the player with instructions and helpful
tips, and are found everywhere throughout the game. This makes it an ideal game
for players new to the 3-D action games.
The player
can choose either Sully or Mike and can alternate between the two characters if
they wish. The player then proceeds though 4 levels in each of three themed
areas, the urban training grounds, desert training grounds, and arctic training
grounds, while enjoying beautifully rendered 3-D graphics and pleasant
background music that is in keeping with each theme. There is non-stop action
as the player is busy smashing crates, collecting primordial ooze, avoiding
hazards, completing missions, and scaring nerves. After a significant portion
of each level is completed, the game offers to save the players place and the
player is treated to a humorous video clip from the Monsters, Inc. movie.
Monsters, Inc. – Scare Island is an
enjoyable, fun, and user-friendly action gaming experience that kids 8 and up
will surely love.
Install: Medium
The game can be
installed with a minimum of 30 MB to save space or 250 MB for better performance
but requires that Ligos Indeo 5 video technology program be installed to enable
viewing of the movie clips.
Game play: 8.5
The game is fun
and exciting with a lot of areas to explore in each level. The keystrokes are
easily mastered and the player can choose the order in which to play the more
advanced areas of each level, making it easy for players to maneuver around
difficult areas until they are ready for the challenge.
Graphics: 8.2
Colorful 3-D
rendered graphics and nice animation.
Sound: 7.5
Nice background
music that doesn’t seem to ever get annoying.
Difficulty: 9.0
The tutorial and
informational mailboxes make this game a pleasant, user-friendly experience even
for first-time action gamers.
Concept: 7.0
Although
Monsters, Inc. – Scare Island has the typical elements found in most action
games, it ties in quite well with the corporate training theme. Also, the movie
clips are a nice inclusion.
Overall: 8.8
A truly fun and
exciting action game experience.
