The Golden Compass | 
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| From: Sega Of America, Inc.
Category: Video Games
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $2.49
You Save: $17.50 (88%)
New (59) Used (19) from $1.44
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 9829
Format: Cd
Platform: Playstation2
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Playstation 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0.1 x 0
MPN: 63114
Model: 63114
UPC: 010086631142
EAN: 0010086631142
ASIN: B000R32IDW
Release Date: December 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | The Golden Compass game and upcoming movie are based on the first novel of Phillip Pullman’s New York Times best-selling trilogy which has sold over 5.5 million units in the U.S. to date. | | • | Play as both heroes from the film – Lyra and a giant armored polar bear, Iorek - and combine the strengths of each to progress. | | • | Following the storyline of the movie, players traverse, evade and deceive their way through action-filled levels. | | • | Explore 13 vast locations from the movie including two areas that are unique to the game. | | • | Experience the collaborative bond between Lyra and Pan through the unique ‘Daemon’ (animal spirit) gameplay mechanic. |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Welcome to Lyra's world, world bigger and more exciting than you dared imagine, as the deadly perils and amazing splendors of The Golden Compass cross over from the movie screen to your console. Take on the role of Lyra Belacqua as she embarks on an epic journey from London to the realm of the frozen North to rescue her uncle, Lord Asriel and her best friend, Roger. As the voyage progresses, players will switch between Lyra who is accompanied by her daemon Pan, and Iorek, the mighty armored bear, for three entirely unique gameplay experiences ranging from combat and exploration, to solving clever puzzles. The engaging interactive world of The Golden Compass is filled with constant action, excitement and danger, whether escaping devious enemies or battling a menagerie of beasts across the mysterious landscape.
ESRB Rated E10 for ages 10 and up
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| Customer Reviews:
 Did they make it in a hurry? January 4, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I love he book dearly, and I was excited about playing the game, but I was a bit disappointed.
On the one paw, it was fun to "explore" Lyra's world and change Pan's forms. The play was VERY easy, and there was no way to do any wrong- if you messed up, you started over at the checkpoint. On the other paw: IT WAS SO EASY! Almost to the point of being boring. Actually, in some parts, it was.
I'm trying to think of good things to say about the game...
It was closer to the book, as far as the order of events. But, like the movie, there was no ending. No climax, no sense of accomplishment, no desire to play it again...
It did show clips from the movie but they had an annoying voice over by the witch. The last bit, where Lyra goes to see Lord Asriel, the clip that wasn't in the move, was interesting but can also be viewed on youtube.
Play was difficult as far as controlling the characters. The camera can't be adjusted at all so at some parts you are playing blind. When you are playing Iorek, to jump over a crack in the ice, you just press triangle (on PS2). He jumps by himself. And to fight, you follow on screen prompts. Kind of like DDR.
It was fun to change Pan's forms: He can be a Ermine, a hawk, a sloth, and a wildcat. But only when the game allows you to change him. When he is in hawk form, he can help Lyra glide, but the graphics in the game are quite crude, with little sense of depth perception, so it is hard to judge where to land. It's funny, too, the way Lyra looks... so crude.
I think it would have been more fun if the programmers had utilized Pan more... maybe mini-games with him and Lyra, and more forms for him to change into.
As for exploring, you really couldn't do that. It is a very linear game. I thought you could have wandered around the college rooftops at leisure, looking for hidden items and gathering collectables perhaps. Maybe had an "inventory" and were able to buy things: food, or new clothes, or equipment... And I was really looking forward to escaping Mrs. Coulter's flat and evading the gobblers whilst roaming the London streets at night.
... Nope. There really isn't a whole lot of choice here. "Go here, do that, oh you messed up, try again, there now, it doesn't matter, go here... Kind of like that. For example, in the flat in London, one task is to find the tub stopper. Oooh, I thought, a quest! Where could it be?!... oh. It's in plain sight at the bottom of the stairs. It's even glowing. Well, that was fun.
The alethiometer was a good bit- it was like a mini-game to give you something to do when you got bored. You were supposed to use Pan's "ermine insight" to find the meanings of the symbols...but it really wasn't necessary as the mini-game (a O pops up: push O...and so on...) was easy enough without bothering.
The good, the good... Well, the aurora was pretty.
This might be a really fun game for children. In fact, that's who it was designed for, so there you go. For those curious about the game because they loved the movie or book, I suggest renting it first. You are not likely to want to play it again anyway, so at least you'll get the experience without the high cost. ^^
 DOESNT GIVE GOOD INSTRUCTIONS January 2, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
VERY UNHAPPY WITH PRODUCT. DOESN'T GIVE GOOD INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW AND CANNOT GO BACK THROUGH LEVELS WITHOUT HAVING TO DO EVERYTHING ALL OVER AGAIN. NO FUN.
 The Golden Compass January 1, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
[[ASIN:B000R32IDW The Golden Compass] is a fun game with good graphics and plot although does not exactly follow the movie line. I am replaying for the second time now. some challenges are pretty tough to beat. This game has no save options except with checkpoints .I purchased the game guide book as well as there is very little info available on line at this time
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