Latest Features
WoW: Wrath of the Lich King Q&AMassive Entertainment: Moving ForwardsGC08 - Empire: Total War Q&AToo Human Q&AThe Godfather II Q&AUser Reviews
There are currently 0 User Reviews for The Polar ExpressWrite your own review for this game today and you will receive 100 Gamer Points.
Click here to register
The Polar Express - Q&A Feature
Derek dela Fuente
11/10/2004
TVG's roving reporter jumps aboard to check out the adaptation of the forthcoming Warner. Bros movie...
Based on the award winning book, 'The Polar Express' by Chris Van Allsburg and soon to be released movie, directed by Robert Zemeckis, and starring Tom Hanks, the game, an action and adventure offering, takes the player on an extraordinary ride through eight exciting chapters.
Explore massive 3D environments and interact with memorable characters from the film including: the Girl Know-it-All, Lonely Boy, the Hobo, Smokey & Steamer and the Elves and be challenged by a series of mini games and puzzle solving.
Derek dela Fuente spoke with Derek Proud, Producer on the game.
TVG: Tell us briefly about the team creating the game and what have they done before.
The team is called Blue Tongue Entertainment; they are based in Melbourne, Australia and have created games such as Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis and Starship Troopers.
TVG: What are the major problems for creating a game on a number of formats and what is the target audience for the game?
Blue Tongue's engine allows them to co-develop for different platforms at the same time, so really the challenges come down to creating an enjoyable experience on each platform. The game is aimed, like the movie, at a younger audience.
TVG: What percentage of the game is pure adventure and action?
The game starts off on the train, where some of the children discover that their tickets are missing and the Boy agrees to help return them. This sparks a hectic race through the train, confronting puppets that have stolen the tickets, then moving to the roof of the train to try to return the Girl's ticket, then an intense skiing level to catch up to the front of the train, and that's just the beginning!
TVG: What kind of assets and feedback have you had from the film company, actors or even author, and how much latitude has the team used in creating a game from a story?
We've been given excellent access to the movie footage, the models, concept art and animations that have been created for the film. It's been amazing working with these film makers on the cutting edge of animated films. We've also been privileged to work with the people at Warner Bros, the director Robert Zemekis, and the actors who lend their voices to the characters in the movie and the game. We've been very lucky that the Producers of the movie were willing to hear our ideas on some levels that go outside the scope of the film and the book, and even for them to add some ideas of their own. We did not have much time to make this game, but we ended up with a really wide variety of game experiences.
TVG: Who do you assume, what skills and characteristics do you have and can you name one in game characters that you will meet in the game that is one of your favs?
You play the part of the Boy who is questioning his belief in Santa. Although you are just a young Boy, you are able to pick up skills and items along the way that can help you get the job done. I think my favourite character is the Hobo, he's tough and lives life on the edge, but no one tells him what to do.
TVG: What are some of the diverse actions and incidents that you will face throughout the eight chapters of the game?
The player needs to get to the North Pole on time. To do this, they'll have to thwart the plans of an angry old toy, ride on the roof of the Polar Express, steer an out of control train car through the streets of North Pole City and drive a weird transport system Santa's Elves call âThe Pneumaticâ. Toward the end of the game, the very fate of Christmas lies in the hands of the player as they steer Santa's sack full of toys to the waiting sleigh.
TVG: How big and detailed are the environments and would you describe one that sums up the essence of The Polar Express game?
We go from the rich environment of the train to the rolling snowy hills, the packaging room where all the toys are packed into presents and the streets and airspace above North Pole city. Does one of these places sum up the essence of the game? I could not really pick one (though I do like the skiing level).
TVG: For our PS2 readers, how is the EyeToy used within the game and is it ideally suited for the game?
One of the bits we really like in the film is where the kids get to drive the train and pull the whistle. We really wanted people to share in that so we created a Sony EyeToy game that allows the players to choose which track they take and pull the whistle to tell snowmen to get out of the way! You need to keep the windscreen clear of snow to see which direction you need to take.
TVG: What form do the puzzles take
We have lots of different puzzles, too many to go into detail! Some are time based, some are reaction based, some are just puzzles you need to solve to get to the next section.
TVG: Sum up the experience in one sentence!
It's a journey beyond your imagination.
The Polar Escape is scheduled for release to coincide with the movie release on November 26th, 2004.
