Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo - PC

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Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo (PC)
Also for: PS2, Xbox, GameCube
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Adventure
Platform
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Frontier Developments Soft. Co.: BAM!
Publishers: Acclaim (GB)
Released: 24 Oct 2003 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 3+
Accessories: Control Pad

Summary

It's been quite a while since these two last got into a spot of bother in A Close Shave, but now they're back in a new adventure, this time courtesy of the PC. Developed by David Braben's Frontier Developments, Wallace and Grommit: Project Zoo is a 3D platform adventure in which the ham-fisted heroes once again have to use all their wits and wonderful inventions in a quest to thwart the evil plans of a villainous penguin.

As the story goes, the diabolical penguin has become the Mr. Big in his zoo 'prison' and has incarcerated all the junior residents in order to persuade their parents to do his bidding by manufacturing gems using the incredible Diamond-o-Matic. Subsequently, it's up to clumsy inventor Wallace and his laudable pooch to come to the rescue, in this case via the aid of a giant Trojan Penguin, no less.

The game itself sees players take on the role of resourceful and adventurous Grommit, assisted throughout by Wallace, as they embark on the quest to free all the captives. Along the way there are scores of weird and wonderful inventions to make use of, designed to challenge the mind and aid the journey, as well as provide a bit of fast-paced fun. Contraptions such as the Porridge Gun, Turnip Launcher, Springy Boots, and Techno Trousers can all be taken advantage of, assisting players in their quest.

There are five expansive levels to explore in total, plus 24 sub levels and mini games, set across eight different animal houses in the zoo. A host of popular and recognisable characters, evil zookeeper henchmen and mischievous monkeys populate each level, as well as an assortment of new characters, designed by Nick Park himself.

Developer Frontier has co-operated closely with Aardman throughout the game's development on such aspects as artwork and scripting to ensure authenticity and emphasise the charisma of both the well-known and new characters. The visuals also do justice to the films, making use of such graphical techniques as environment-mapping, specular lighting and depth-of-field blur to ensure faithful visual recreation.

If you're a fan of these particular claymation characters then you definitely want to consider this latest PC title - it'll certainly put you on until the next film, due in 2005.