System: Wii, X360, PS3, PC, PS2, PSP, DS
Dev: Eurocom
Pub: Disney Interactive
Release: May 22, 2007
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: Teen
Review by Maria Montoro

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

I'm really glad that they used the licensed music of the movies and real voiceover acting. The characters sound like they do in the movies and their humorous comments and situations bring you right into the scene, even more so than the mediocre 3D rendered animations will. The epic soundtrack transports you to that world that we all learned to love after watching three well-done movies; it helps you get submerged into the story once again, now through a video game. If the music or the voiceover hadn't been so authentic the game would have just been plain disappointing; but luckily, that's not the case.

Each level contains a variety of sub-missions that you can accomplish if you decide to do so, although they don't affect the course of the story. Card and dice games are included, and if that was what the game was about I would have made the extra effort to learn how to play. However, some of them are a bit complicated and not fun enough to keep me interested in them instead of continuing with the story; it's a good thing though, for those that enjoy card and dice games, and of course it wouldn't be the same without a bit of poker… and yes, I knew how to play that one! Other sub-missions will have you breaking wooden boxes and looking for crab pendants, talking to the townsfolk and having a constructive dialogue with them (you get to choose what you say from a couple of options), or letting a bunch of women slap you on the face. In any case, it all helps to build up your reputation as a pirate, and the more you accomplish, the more points you'll get, along with a higher pirate rank, which goes from wastrel and scoundrel to pirate lord and legendary pirate. It's fun to try and achieve higher ranks, and once you finish a level, you'll have the option anytime you want to play it again and complete more objectives while attaining more unlockables.

If you unlock more characters, you'll be able to use them in Challenge Mode and Duels, which is always fun. See? Once you're done with the game it's not all lost and gone. You will have the opportunity to engage in swashbuckling duels with your friends or participate in challenges, competing to kill more enemies, use more combo attacks, etc. It's a good added element that I'm glad they included because, if you've made it through the game, you'll want to experience again a few more sword fighting moments and make your friends a part of it.

Even if this is not a game to go crazy about, it deserves at least a rental, so go and see if this is your kind of game. It's certainly not tailored for everyone, and you have to play it with an open mind to overcome the game's frustrating moments and faults. Love it or hate it, it's your choice; but be aware that those $50 could be wasted easily: I know of people that just couldn't handle the look of it and slowly agonized trying to follow the gameplay! Can you tackle this one?

By Maria Montoro
CCC Co-Site Director

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