How to Train your Dragon Review for Nintendo Wii

System: X360, PS3, Wii, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Etranges Libellules	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Activision	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 23, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

In addition to training exercises and arena battles, you can also participate in mini-game-style challenges with your dragon. These include a Spyro-like dragon ride and some timed button-mashing challenges. Playing these mini-games will net you some experience points as well as rare or hard-to-find items, which can help improve your dragon's stats.

How to Train your Dragon screenshot

Between the mini-games and the dragon battling, there is a lot to do in How to Train your Dragon. However, the game itself doesn't last very long, and experienced gamers can complete 100% of the game (including side quests) in about six hours.

I wouldn't imagine it would take young children more than eight hours to complete this game, as the experience is guided so well that there is no way to extend the experience, as you will always have something to do.

Although the gameplay is pretty good, the graphics on the Wii are not up to par with most other titles. Though pre-rendered cutscenes have some nice detail, the in-game visuals are bland and contain lots of repetitious elements. In addition, there are some screen-tearing issues that mainly occur when characters are talking.

How to Train Your Dragon is a pretty good game if you enjoyed the movie and want to continue the experience. However, the glaring story inconsistency and the repetitive gameplay may limit the appeal to youngsters. Just make sure NOT to let anyone play this one before they watch the movie, as it will definitely ruin the movie for them.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.5

Graphics
Pre-rendered cutscenes are alright, but the in-game visuals are terrible.

3.5

Control
Combat uses simple button presses and only one motion control gesture (which is easy to use). Great for young players.

3.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Background music is inoffensive, and the sound-alike cast does a great job mimicking the voices from the movie.

3.2

Play Value
The game is very short, but also very short on story. Still, if you like the idea of battling with the dragons from the movie, the game will be fun while it lasts.

3.3

Overall Rating - Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

How to Train Your Dragon video game launches gamers into a third-person action-adventure as a Viking hero where they must embark upon an epic quest to become the ultimate dragon trainer.

Gamers can play as characters "Hiccup" or Astrid" on the vast Island of Berk, which features expanded locales from the film including Vikings' Village, Wild Zone, Training Zone, and Fight Arena.

In this truly larger-than-life adventure, players will train dragons, explore environments and battle in prestigious dragon tournaments as they battle for Viking victory.