Ok, so here's what I see as the principle problem with game releases simultaneous with movies or books: they have little to no content. Now, that being said, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End is totally different.
The graphics and the sound, music and FX, are very immersive into Jack Sparrow's world. When one hears the swords and sees the enemies, you are taken to a very adolesent state of mind. The voice acting and gameay really bring you into that time in history as well as that story from Disney.
Gameplay can get a bit weird at times where, while defending, the movement is a little stiff and counter attacks are a bit labored. Frustration can set in when you are facing 3 enemies at a time and you wail on one foe while another hits you from behind, ruining your wonderful run of hits. In addition to multiple enemies, there is a sense that the Jackanisms are way out of reach. For those in wonder, a Jackanism is a combination of button pushes and remote wiggles that not only makes certain parts of certain levels easier, but gains the player extras later in the game. Though many of the moves are easy, they must be performed in a specific time frame, and whether too fast or slow, will cut the Jackanism off and continue wih the level. There does not seem to be any lienency for the inexperienced player. Through all this, however, you can easly understand why these my be so hard to achieve.
There are several points in the game that you can participate in one of two side cometitions, Poker and Dice. Dice is the first you encounter and probabl the most difficult. The object is to bid the table for as high a number of specific faced die as possible. You must use your senses of deduction based on your own hand to determine what the table holds. Not easy b any means until one possesses cheat cards to aid in the endeavor. The second is a good old fashioned game of Texas Hold 'Em. This can be easily won in te first go 'round, but one must be careful in their wagers. The game appears to adjust itself based on the skill of the player. The addition of these games to the storyline make this a worthwhile puchase.
Though there are many a game that could surpass this in gameplay and replay value, there are none of those that cost $19.82. The value is unbeatable and even if this were $50, the game would be an 8.5 out of 10, but for the price, the gae is easily a 9 out of 10.
I would recommend this game for anyone that either likes the movies or has kids that like the movies, though I would take into consideration the violence in the game in accordance with yours or your child's tolerance for violence. Though very animated, the violene could put some parents off. As always, I recommend a personal review of the game before "breaking" the ESRB's rating of "T" for Teen.
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