The Polar Express

...a review by Inferno


I've written a review for my fellow gamers everywhere who still trust in their childhood memories and still believe that there is magic in their dreams.


Come and ride with me as I explore the world of The Polar Express



an excerpt from the review:
Merry Christmas!

Inferno

It's so beautiful with the falling snow! And I loved the music. I laughed and laughed while reading this review.

This has put me in the Christmas spirit! Time to decorate the tree.

Gamespot gave this one the lowest review ever I think. Probably something to balance out the kudos. The movie was pretty sacharine too imo.

I think I'm really one of the only reviewers who had some appreciation for this little game. Maybe because of my background in theatre and I knew just how much work went into the production of the movie. Maybe because I'm learning programming and realize how very difficult it is to create this kind of program...Believe me, I am not saying that they aren't entitled to their opinion; they most definitely are... it's just that this game triggered such wonderfully brilliant Yuletide memories for me and mine, I felt compelled to write about it.
Attitude is key to enjoying this little ditty, that's why I said it was a "Companion" piece. The gameworld is totally magical (dreams are, aren't they?) and a lot of sequenses aren't logical ... but then they're not supposed to be. Neither is the movie. But you'll enjoy the game so much more if you read the book and see the movie first.

I think a lot of the reviews were by gamers who compare games by Hitman and Halo2 because those reviewers play those types of games exclusive of all else... and that's fine, to each his own and God Bless as I know that these are terrific pieces of work ...and truly have there place and God's Speed to those who love them. But I also know that I'm lucky I don't have to review those games because after watching my sons play them (which only lasted an hour as I found them and games similar to them sooooooo boring and sooooo annoying)... I hated them..but you see, that's just MY taste. I don't have the right to review them because of my attitude towards them. I would never be fair about them and that would do a disservice to them.

I come from a totally different mind set. This game good, bad or indifferent touched me because of my boys...Is it "Sugary"? of course it is. Schmaltzy? Absolutely. And how I love that stuff at Christmas! Braveheart(sigh!) built me an Eight Foot Lit Candy Cane for our front yard 4 years ago... Tacky, Fun and wonderful and now every one on the block has one.

I really had a riot with this game (it was a perfect trainer for me to learn platforming and action, IMHO.) It made me laugh out loud and filled me with such a Christmas Spirit (something, I sincerely needed). This game let me escape and feel like a child again and every once in awhile I need that....and yes, on Christmas Eve at midnight I still can hear the sleigh bells of Santa's Sleigh...{even if it's only in my mind's ear, ) and I hope I will forever.

Inferno

Ummm, have a look at my review (with PurpleBear) ... you're not the only one who liked the Express. And more importantly (IMHO) a member of the target audience (i.e. PurpleBear) really liked it too!

Gremlin

So Sorry, Gremlin I should learn to use my edit button more!

I did get the feeling that Purple Bear loved the game and that you liked it as well. I should have edited this last post to reflect that, I sincerely apologize for my faux pas.

But at the time of your writing you had not yet seen the film. Do you plan on taking Purple Bear?

Which of the games did you enjoy best and why?

Mine were two:
The Skiing sequence because I learned how to play it so that I could eventually ski it at maximum speed actually using the hills to take off into the air and sail across the rooftops.
the other was "Elf Tubeing" the color palette was sheer delight for me and I loved the speed and the fact that you could spin as you drove the pnuematic collecting the coins as you went.


Inferno

Because we live in rural Wales it will actually be significantly cheaper for us to buy the DVD of the Polar Express next year rather than have an expedition to the nearest cinema (12 miles away - we don't drive). ETA: so, no, the current plan is not to go see the movie at the cinema.

I agree that the skiing and the pneumatic tube games were the best, though the roof top chase and the toy throwing were fun too. Purple Bear's favourite bits were the Mountain of Presents and the Hot Chocolate game, and she really didn't like the big snowball fight with Scrooge.

Gremlin

I love the Polar express! ...and the music!It was the best Christmas movie ever! Even my relatives love it!

Thank you for your review, Inferno. I thoroughly enjoyed the read :bravo12:

I miss inferno!

Gremlin, since when was the Isle of Man in rural Wales??? I think geography must have changed since I was at school.. :wink12:

Monbron -- between 2004 and 2009, some members have relocated. :grin12: This is an older thread.

As do I and a host of others -

:kissy12: We're thinking about you, Inferno! :wave12: Hoping to see you stop by sometime when life and work calm down a tad.

I think we all miss Inferno.
I hope she can drop by sometime.