Accessories

Change to 2 stars
I notice there is only 1 review for this game and it is a 1 star review. I think that is a bit harsh for the game itself. Personally, I knew what I was getting into when I bought it since I had read all the terrible reviews and even about some of the achievement glitches. I figured I could live with that as long as I got to play the game.
I really don't mind the gameplay. Sometimes I need something a bit relaxing and easy. Playing Call of Duty 4 (especially multiplayer) can be stressful. Having said that, this game is riddled with bugs. I have had to post to various forums to get help and the response is that it is a glitch and the suggestion to start over. I am about halfway through the game (which has taken hours) and am stuck at a point that won't let me proceed. We are not talking about not knowing how to play, we are talking an actual glitch preventing gameplay. For that, it gets 0 stars but if you want to risk it, rent it and pray you don't experience the same glitches I did.

Edit: After getting some help from a friendly Xbox 360 user, I was able to proceed past a certain point. I still find this game glitchy but raise it one star since it is now playable

horrendous gameplay makes this one to avoid, regardless of what you think about the movie
I don't expect much when it comes to video games based on movies. Quite often they feature mediocre gameplay, a boring storyline that sort of, but doesn't really follow the plot of the film, and pointless objectives that make you feel the developers were banking on the franchise itself to sell copies of the game and didn't care about making it something actually worth playing. But The Golden Compass is bad, really bad, even for a movie based game.

I gave the game a chance--I played through the whole thing--but I just couldn't get over how poorly made it was. For starters, the gameplay is dull and the difficulty varies far too much for a game intended for younger children. At times you're pushing the button flashing up on the screen (which is fine), and at other times you're trying to keep Iorik alive while he's fighting the witch queen or a guy with a flamethrower. This game is rated for kids 10+, but I imagine a child that age would be bored stiff with the button matching mini-games and frustrated beyond belief with the more difficult parts of the game.

The controls are fairly straightforward but the camera angle is absolutely awful. In fact I spent as much time trying to overcome the terrible angle, when I couldn't see what I was fighting or the ledge to which I was supposed to be jumping, as I did trying doing anything else. If the camera worked right the game would still be dull and rather pointless, but the camera angle makes this game nearly unplayable.

Part of the potential appeal for this game comes from the prospect of playing as Iorik, the polar bear who accompanies the girl Lyra on her adventures. Playing Iorik is the best part of the game, but unfortunately the majority of the game is spent playing as Lyra, thus stifling what could, possibly, have been the game's only redeeming quality.

There are many, many better games available for the price. Don't be fooled into buying it just because it accompanies the movie--this title is bound to bring frustration and annoyance to anyone who plays it. And even if, somehow, someone were to enjoy the game, the entire storyline is good for about 5 hours of play--definitely not worth it.