Ice Age: Dawn of Dinosaurs

One of the most popular animated movies to grace the big screen has been squeezed down to fit into our pocket in the form of a mobile game – Ice Age: Dawn of Dinosaurs.

In this top-down game you have the usual controls (up, down, left, right and fire) to move the key characters from the movies around the screen. Exploring the prehistoric environments you will have the challenge of collecting all the eggs to save the un-hatched from a terrible fate.

Along the way, you get to do more than just collect the eggs; you get to collect the acorns too which allow you to top up your score.  Ok, so you can tell there’s a pretty straightforward theme to this game – collect stuff and try not to slip down the food chain and becoming a succulent starter for some rather sharp toothed reptile on steroids. 

There’s a story which adds a little distraction rather than an integral plot to the game you play. You get to hop over lakes of lava, swim through pools (whilst avoiding piranhas) and clearing your way through defrosting pastures while you try to keep out of the way from flying dangers – in the form of pterodactyls.  Some thought was made by the producers of the game to help keep this game lively and less repetitive, for example you can get a lift from a friendly flying dinosaur and take to the sky.

On the downside, despite all the fun things this game offers, you will probably feel a little let down by the fact that there’s seldom any places to save your progress. This is deepened by the tricky twists this game offers such as beating off the relentless advances of hungry egg-eating dino’s or fleeing from the T-Rex which has you in its sights. The controls for your movement appear to work quite well on the whole when generally wandering around picking up your nuts but sadly they seem to be less effective in these more frantic stages which unfortunately cause you to have to repeat the process all over again (and again etc.)

Overall, this is a respectful and good adaptation to the Ice Age franchise. With all the familiar favourites putting in a good performance and adding their unique talents to the game, you will no doubt be pleased with this title and its overall appeal will stay with you throughout the game. The control problems that I experienced will probably have younger and older players alike screaming in frustration as the only thing which will save you will be sheer luck rather than skill at key points in the game.

Rating 78%

Positives

Nicely detailed game with plenty of challenges

Avoids being too repetitive with all the fun challenging levels

Quite addictive, especially for the younger player

Negatives

Frustrating particularly due to the unresponsive controls at key moments

Few save points, making it less likely to be put down at a moments’ notice and if you have to replay a level  you may have to start right near the start than nearer the end.