'Lilo & Stitch' inspires fun diversions
Disney's summer movie release, Lilo & Stitch, is an unusual story about the taming of a destructive alien. When Stitch attaches himself to a struggling family of an older sister caring for a younger sister, he discovers love and tempers his violent nature. Using this movie theme, Disney Interactive has released two computer games — one that includes eight different games on the same CD-ROM and one that is an action game with multiple levels.
By Jinny Gudmundsen
(USA Today) --
Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch Hawaiian Adventure'
Lilo & Stitch Hawaiian Adventure tracks the story line presented in the movie. Players first meet Lilo at her hula lessons, and then Stitch when he crash lands outside Honolulu. Through a series of games, youngsters help Lilo tame Stitch and teach him the value of "Ohana" — the Hawaiian word for "family."
Initially, the games unlock in a linear fashion — players must complete one before the next is revealed. The games vary from a simple match-the-fish-type activity to a complicated one, which involves keeping tourists happy at a luau. The activities combine logic and arcade-style fun. In one challenging game, youngsters direct Stitch to construct alien homes. Kid-testers found it difficult to master the tricky timing needed to drop bricks and roofs onto a frame.
The age on the software box suggests 4 and up. While children that young could play a few of the games, most would be too difficult — even on the easiest of three levels. Complicated instructions and gameplay make this software best for children ages 6 to 11.
Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch Trouble in Paradise'
Disney frequently releases an "action game" to accompany the release of an animated movie. In an action game, the player takes on the role of a character from the movie and then travels through a 3-D world similar to the one in the film. Running through richly drawn environments, the player usually collects items, executes special moves and tries to avoid obstacles.
Lilo & Stitch Trouble in Paradise follows this pattern of action games. Depending on the location within the game, players are either Lilo or Stitch. Players direct Lilo and Stitch using the arrow keys and, in the process, explore three areas of Hawaii.
In the first area of the game, players collect photographs for Lilo. In the second area, they fetch vinyl records. And in the third, they pick up alien tracking devices. As Lilo, players can bash objects and cast voodoo spells. Stitch has similar talents, including bashing, spitting, spinning and a roll-attack. As players zoom through the Hawaiian landscapes, they must evade opponents, wildlife and mythological island creatures.
This action game isn't as much fun to play as the action games accompanying Monsters Inc. and The Emperor's New Groove. To win a level (there are 21), our kid-testers found that they had to play repeatedly, and thus they became frustrated. Lilo and Stitch don't have as many interesting moves as other action game heroes, and the humor isn't as entertaining.
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PICTURE CAPTION
Lilo and Stitch bring their special friendship to the PC.
©DISNEY
Disney's summer movie release, Lilo & Stitch, is an unusual story about the taming of a destructive alien. When Stitch attaches himself to a struggling family of an older sister caring for a younger sister, he discovers love and tempers his violent nature. Using this movie theme, Disney Interactive has released two computer games — one that includes eight different games on the same CD-ROM and one that is an action game with multiple levels.
By Jinny Gudmundsen
(USA Today) --
Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch Hawaiian Adventure'
Lilo & Stitch Hawaiian Adventure tracks the story line presented in the movie. Players first meet Lilo at her hula lessons, and then Stitch when he crash lands outside Honolulu. Through a series of games, youngsters help Lilo tame Stitch and teach him the value of "Ohana" — the Hawaiian word for "family."
Initially, the games unlock in a linear fashion — players must complete one before the next is revealed. The games vary from a simple match-the-fish-type activity to a complicated one, which involves keeping tourists happy at a luau. The activities combine logic and arcade-style fun. In one challenging game, youngsters direct Stitch to construct alien homes. Kid-testers found it difficult to master the tricky timing needed to drop bricks and roofs onto a frame.
The age on the software box suggests 4 and up. While children that young could play a few of the games, most would be too difficult — even on the easiest of three levels. Complicated instructions and gameplay make this software best for children ages 6 to 11.
Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch Trouble in Paradise'
Disney frequently releases an "action game" to accompany the release of an animated movie. In an action game, the player takes on the role of a character from the movie and then travels through a 3-D world similar to the one in the film. Running through richly drawn environments, the player usually collects items, executes special moves and tries to avoid obstacles.
Lilo & Stitch Trouble in Paradise follows this pattern of action games. Depending on the location within the game, players are either Lilo or Stitch. Players direct Lilo and Stitch using the arrow keys and, in the process, explore three areas of Hawaii.
In the first area of the game, players collect photographs for Lilo. In the second area, they fetch vinyl records. And in the third, they pick up alien tracking devices. As Lilo, players can bash objects and cast voodoo spells. Stitch has similar talents, including bashing, spitting, spinning and a roll-attack. As players zoom through the Hawaiian landscapes, they must evade opponents, wildlife and mythological island creatures.
This action game isn't as much fun to play as the action games accompanying Monsters Inc. and The Emperor's New Groove. To win a level (there are 21), our kid-testers found that they had to play repeatedly, and thus they became frustrated. Lilo and Stitch don't have as many interesting moves as other action game heroes, and the humor isn't as entertaining.
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PICTURE CAPTION
Lilo and Stitch bring their special friendship to the PC.
©DISNEY
