Ice Age (2002 video game) explained

Ice Age
Developer:Artificial Mind and Movement
Publisher:Ubi Soft
Genre:Platform
Modes:Single-player
Platforms:Game Boy Advance

Ice Age is a 2002 platform game based on the film of the same name, developed by Artificial Mind and Movement, published by Ubi Soft and released exclusively for the Game Boy Advance. A sequel, Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, was released on multiple platforms in 2006, itself based on the film of the same name.

It was also used as a runner-up prize during Cartoon Network's Frozen Fantasy Sweepstakes, where people would register via the company's website, while the grand prize winner would get an Alaskan cruise for four, where they'll see glaciers.[1]

Gameplay

Ice Age is a 2D platform game. The game allows to play as Sid or Manny (not counting Diego) with Roshan. The goal of each of the 10 levels is to collect as many nuts as possible and make it to the end safely.

Reception

The game received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with GameRankings and Metacritic reporting an average score of 46.00% and 47/100 respectively.[2] [3] Tim Tracy of GameSpot described the game as a "straightforward platform game with a host of problems that ultimately make it a joyless experience", criticizing the repetitive and uninteresting music and "an overall feeling that trial and error is the key to beating the game".[4]

Craig Harris, writing for IGN, also criticized the trial-and-error level design; "the developers make [this game's] levels challenging by creating blind leaps, making it impossible to see what's below a ledge without taking that annoying 'leap of faith'." On the other hand, he was more positive when commenting about the music, describing the game's good use of the GBA's audio hardware as "the game's only real plus."[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CartoonNetwork.com - "Ice Age Frozen Fantasy Sweepstakes" Promo (2002) - YouTube . youtube.com . May 31, 2021 . June 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602222807/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkUEdj3BiGA . live .
  2. Web site: Ice Age. GameRankings. October 18, 2012. April 30, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120430023659/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/546916-ice-age/index.html. live.
  3. Web site: Ice Age. Metacritics. October 18, 2012. April 30, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120430094345/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/ice-age. live.
  4. Web site: Ice Age Review. Tim Tracy. GameSpot. 2014-03-24. 2018-02-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228100746/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ice-age-review/1900-2863338/. live.
  5. Web site: Ice Age. Craig Harris. 19 March 2002. IGN. 24 March 2014. 12 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210612112013/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/19/ice-age-4. live.