Avatar

Every movie game arrives burdened by the expectation of mediocrity. Avatar is certainly weighed down by the hype of being hitched to James Cameron’s (reported) $500 million 3D-focused juggernaut. But if you look past the titanic name and the genre pedigree, Avatar brings way more to the table than you’d expect — primarily two gameplay paths (one RDA, one the indigenous Na’vi) with enough variety to make each eight- to 10- hour stint worthwhile. And when you throw in a metagame of planetary control that adds a surprising mini-strategy sub-questy element; upgradable weapons, armor, and skills; and killer visuals even in 2D, we were more impressed than we expected to be.

Landing on Pandora as RDA Signal Specialist Able Ryder, you follow barked orders and abrasive comments from veterans as you head out into the world in human form. Soon after, you take on your RDA-controlled avatar form, which means you essentially become a 10-foot-tall native Na’vi. That sequence provides a quickfire introduction to both sides and their play mechanics before a decisive moment provides a choice: kill your human ally and join the Na’vi, or stay loyal to your people and their plans to mine the über-expensive, ridiculously named mineral Unobtainium.

We’re guessing that most gamers will opt for the Na’vi route out of the box. It’s a more melee-based gameplay format, so you speed through the dense, detailed vegetation of Pandora wielding a devastating bow (three-foot-long arrows hit hard), long staff, dual blades, or clubs. With each kill and quest completion, you earn experience points that unlock new armor, upgraded weapons, and skills. The changes are essentially cosmetic, but it’s a flavor level that maintains your interest as you roll through relatively linear maps, fetching and delivering bits of this and that on a quest to locate the fabled Well of Souls. Little RDA troops can be tough to spot in the vegetation when you’re a 10-foot Na’vi, but your battery of skills (speed bursts, brief invisibility, and health boost, among others) provides great balance.

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