Ice Age: Mammoth Mayhem

With nearly every movie these days comes a spin off game as part of the huge franchise of collectables. In some instances these games are fantastic and totally worthwhile playing but sadly many are pretty rushed jobs and fail to emulate half the quality or action as displayed in the movie.

Fortunately, Ice Age: Mammoth Mayhem is actually quite a playable game and offers the familiar prehistoric heroes doing what they do best; rescuing baby animals in a series of mazes by overcoming obstacles whilst the whole time you’re running against the clock.

Manny, Diego and Sid are up to their various tricks and of course this involves collecting acorns that Scrat (the unlucky squirrel) will be only too happy to hear (and yes he puts in some amusing appearances of course). Each armed with their individual attributes and special abilities; Manny the Mammouth can push and pull boulders and provide a bridge for Diego (the Sabretooth Tiger) to jump across. Diego’s also able to run and attack animals and obstacles. Sid the Sloth is able to climb vines and also create fire! For some missions you will only be able to use one of the trio, on others you must use all three to help you locate and rescue all the ‘kids’.

You will find yourself having to master three individual environments, Frozen Tundra, Volcanic Caves and Iceberg. Each of these landscapes pose different risks and challenges. For example hot lava is damaging to your health should you fall in, but Diego’s speed can be put to good use in leaping quickly over loose rocks, and ice is slippery and could spell a rather wet and chilling end for Sid, but by tapping the keys you will prevent him falling in.

For the younger players this game will no doubt provide an excellent bridge between cute and simplistic games and the more adult orientated game which needs some degree of lateral thinking and problem solving ability. For the more mature player you will of course find this game a little less challenging and rewarding as a result but still offers a good time none the less.

In a nut-shell (or should that be an acorn?), I would say that this is a very enjoyable game which offers quite a lot of game-play and enjoyment. Unfortunately as each level increases and the puzzles get a little more frustrating, you will get a little fed up with the constant lumbering movements of at least two of your three characters as they will have to move back and forth to solve some of the simple and mundane tasks set. The most challenging factor about this game is the race against the clock as opposed to resolving the puzzles set.

So if you enjoy cute and simple puzzles which involve your favourite animated misfits then look no further. Also play this game if you would love to hate them as you can be a little cruel and let them get squashed, scolded or frozen to your hearts content.

Rating: 84%

Positives

Beautiful artwork

Rotating between characters to use their attributes to solve puzzles

Quite addictive

Puzzles offer some trickiness

Negatives

The dull repetitive movements to get your characters into position

Not enough to it to appeal to the older gamer