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I guess I should admit right up front to being a Pixar fan. I’m not usually into computer
animation at all, but...they do it really well. So for reasons that are obvious—uh,
both for my fanhood and my, uh, genetics—I fell in love with Brave, their latest masterwork
of modern animation.
I mention this as a disclaimer, but also to cede a point on these licensed games I so
often slam into the ground. I mean, when you actually like the source material, maybe it’s
easier to overlook the flaws that are usually inherent to a licensed game. Did I like this
game because it was good or because Brave was good?
I’m not sure. I mean, all I can tell you is...if you liked Brave, you’ll probably
dig this game. And I’m pretty sure it’s because...it’s actually not that bad.
It’s Brave for the PlayStation 3.
Brave immediately made a good first impression with me simply with the way it tells Pixar’s
story...or more appropriately, the way it doesn’t. Rather than just retell the film,
the game tells its own variation of the Brave story by putting Merida on a quest.
So Merida has to travel to eight different lands to eradicate the blight caused by the
cursed bear Mor'du. His curse has actually resurrected creatures of old, which Merida
has to destroy. And that works well because in the movie, Merida is portrayed as this
archer of unrivaled skill...and the game actually gives her some targets.
Of course, as a kids game, Brave is pretty simple. Merida can hack and slash with her
sword, and she can fire arrows by shooting with the right analog stick. There are also
a couple elements she can use, like wind and fire, which alter the abilities of her arrows.
And different enemies are vulnerable to different elements.
Throw in the upgrades and different abilities she can purchase, and you get a fairly deep
action game...at least, for a licensed action game. And more importantly, it was always
fun...again...at least, for a fan of the movie. I’m not convinced everyone who plays it
would have the same opinion, due to its obvious simplicity.
Nonetheless, Brave is an example of a movie game done right. It’s not great, by any
means, but for what it is...it’s perfectly solid. In fact, my only complaint is that
Merida’s hair—which is this stunning feat of animation in the movie—is just awful
in the game.
But you know, bad hair day aside, it’s a game fans of the movie should eat up like
a cursed cake. It’s Brave for the PlayStation 3.