Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow

"An okay game but has set backs"

Forget 2004's Xbox version of Pirates of the Caribbean, which had about as much to do with the blockbuster movie as the eponymous Disney ride -- Legend of Jack Sparrow is the genuine article. Players will get to paint on the black eyeliner of Captain Jack himself, a rollicking, half-grogged Jack who is one stiff breeze away from falling face-first in the dirt. Both the charismatic Jack Sparrow and stiff-as-a-plank Will Turner are playable as a two-man team through 24 hack-and-slash levels that revisit many of the first film's memorable scenes.

The action offers few surprises to those well versed in the genre. The object is simply to attack groups of enemies on your way to the level's exit or a boss fight. Along the way are a few simplistic mini-games that may involve cranking levers by waggling the analog stick or prying open doors by tapping certain button combinations. While players have the ability to switch between characters at any time, there's little incentive to do so. Both possess the same basic moves and only have two special techniques. Turner can heave hatchets and perform a blade barrage, while Sparrow tosses "grog bombs" and can set his cutlass ablaze.

As in many other hack-and-slash titles, players can break open objects and collect coins to purchase enhanced combos for each character. Yet the AI has difficulty keeping up with even the mundane moves, so players can sail through many of the levels relying on a single button press. Though you have seen and done everything this game has to offer many times before, you won't dwell on this sad fact until the final stage is plundered. The variety of locales, fast-paced tempo, and the appeal of Johnny Depp's character are big pluses in otherwise ordinary adventure, one that falls somewhere in between "thar she blows" and "shiver me timbers" on the pirate entertainment scale.

Graphics:

The character models look just like their movie counterparts, and Jack Sparrow has Johnny Depp's trademark swagger. Some nice fire effects make Jack's projectile attack fun to use.
7/10

Sound:

Johnny Depp adds his voice to Captain Jack, but the rest of the cast is handled by professional soundalikes.
6/10

Enjoyment:

The theme and diverse locales help make up for the uninspired design, but the poor AI makes things too easy. Sparrow, Turner, and Swann (in certain sequences) don't have enough diverse moves.
5/10

Replay Value:

Players can revisit completed stages to find a hidden treasure map piece, which will unlock extras. Cooperative play is also supported.
5/10

Overall:
If you enjoy this series, go for the game but if you're just interested, go for a rent.
6/10

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 07/13/06