The Polar Express (video game)

The Polar Express
PAL region cover art for PlayStation 2
Developer(s) Blue Tongue Entertainment
Publisher(s) THQ
Director(s) Douglas Carrigan
Engine RenderWare
Platform(s) Game Boy Advance, Windows, GameCube, PlayStation 2
Release GameCube
  • NA: November 2, 2004
  • PAL: November 22, 2004
Game Boy Advance & PlayStation 2[1]
  • NA: November 2, 2004
  • PAL: November 26, 2004
Windows
  • NA: November 3, 2004
  • PAL: November 3, 2004
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

The Polar Express is an action-adventure platform game developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment and published by THQ. Based on the film of the same name, the game follows the same plot.

Gameplay

The game follows most of the main plot of the film. One major difference is that the Ebenezer Scrooge Puppet, who only makes a minor appearance in the film, plays a much bigger role as the main antagonist with a goal to keep the children from believing in Santa Claus by stealing their tickets, thus getting them thrown them off the train so that they will not get to the North Pole. The game is broken down into six chapters, giving the player the opportunity to explore areas like the train, the North Pole, and more. The player controls a young boy in each of the 6 chapters.[2] The game also contains puzzle-solving as well as some minigame-styled elements.[3]

Development

THQ unveiled the game at the E3 convention in 2004.[3][4] The PlayStation 2 version contains EyeToy support. A portable version of the game was also in development for the Game Boy Advance, by developer Tantalus.[3]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBAGCPCPS2
GameSpotN/A3.1/10[5]N/A3.1/10[5]
GameZone4.5/10[6]7.2/10[7]6.3/10[8]N/A
IGNN/A3.5/10[2]N/A3.5/10[2]
Nintendo Power3/5[9]2.9/5[10]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AN/A[11]
Aggregate score
Metacritic48/100[12]40/100[13]63/100[14]39/100[15]

The PC version received "mixed" reviews, while the rest of the console versions received "unfavorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[14][12][13][15]

References

  1. ↑ "PlayStation Games & Media - Polar Express". PlayStation. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Casamassina, Matt (November 8, 2004). "The Polar Express (GCN, PS2)". IGN. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Gerstmann, Jeff (May 12, 2004). "The Polar Express E3 2004 Preshow First Look". GameSpot. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  4. ↑ Adams, David (May 4, 2004). "Pre-E3 2004: THQ Announces Lineup". IGN. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Score, Avery (December 6, 2004). "The Polar Express Review (GC, PS2)". GameSpot. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  6. ↑ Code Cowboy (December 23, 2004). "The Polar Express - GBA - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ The Bearer (December 20, 2004). "The Polar Express - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ Aceinet (December 19, 2004). "The Polar Express - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  9. ↑ "The Polar Express (GBA)". Nintendo Power. 187: 140. January 2005.
  10. ↑ "The Polar Express (GC)". Nintendo Power. 187: 138. January 2005.
  11. ↑ "The Polar Express". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 106. January 2005.
  12. 1 2 "The Polar Express for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  13. 1 2 "The Polar Express for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  14. 1 2 "The Polar Express for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  15. 1 2 "The Polar Express for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
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