Disneys Chicken Little Ace In Action

When we think of Disney heroes, we usually think of heroes like the bulky demi-God Hercules, the family of masked crusaders, the Incredibles or perhaps you think of Baymax and crew in Big Hero 6. It’s safe to say that few would instinctively cast their mind back to 2005 film, Chicken Little but contrary to this, the movie was actually a very popular one. So much so that the game would warrant a licenced video game in its honour and this would be called Chicken Little: Little Ace in Action.

This game has the self-awareness to realise that the subject matter doesn’t lend itself too well to a video game. So for that reason, the developers take advantage of an alternate approach within the Chicken Little universe and have the main movie characters play Commander Ace Little: Ace in Action which is a video game within their universe.

This allows the game to be whatever it wants to be and it chooses to be an action platformer which most closely resembles the Ratchet and Clank series. So much so that the developer’s Avalanche Games even came out and said that this was their inspiration.

Licenced but not lame

Licensed titles often have the same core feel and format which follows the story of the movie to the letter and offers child-friendly gameplay throughout. However, this title tries to offer something with more substance and succeeds on most fronts. The game is split into boots on the ground combat, vehicle missions and pilot missions and each of these handles exceptionally well. The on-foot combat doesn’t rival it’s inspiration Ratchet and Clank for weapon variety of refined mechanics by any stretch but it does offer enough to keep you interested and doesn’t skimp on the animations either.

Then the tank missions where you control Runt are actually the most solid that you’re likely to see within a game of this variety. The gunplay is fun and easy to control, the movement is simple but effective and the level design is very fitting for the vehicle you are navigating the area with. Don’t get us wrong, this is far from World of Tanks quality. You don’t see any gun deviation or flanking to hit at your weaker side armour but for a kids game, this is pretty solid.

The same can be said about the pilot missions for the most part but the controls are a little more obtuse. For the experienced gamer, it won’t be too much of a task to learn these but alas, this game isn’t made for experienced players. The trigger button-based strafing and other more complex additions to this mode make this perhaps the least enjoyable aspect of the three-game sections but still fun nonetheless.

Not a mindless cash grab

This game could have easily been another run of the mill licenced title that sees parents fork out for a lacklustre game. However, alongside the great gameplay, this game really aims to please. The genuine movie cast reprises their roles as these lovable characters with talent such as John Cusack, the late Adam West and Zach Braff lending their voices to the game.

Then, in addition, the animations, cut scenes, musical score, sound effects and the overall visuals of the title all really shine. Granted, they aren’t anything that set the video gaming landscape alight but for a game of this variety, there were genuinely great. This attention to detail, interweaving of the real universe and the fake video game universe and the great level design all culminate to make you feel like you’re playing a new action platformer IP that could easily exist outside of the Chicken Little franchise.

A Clucking Good Time

It would be easy to give this one an average score and be done with it but the game does way more than the usual mediocre games within the licenced genre. The game offers a decent plot, fun characters with great gameplay segments, great visuals and level design, a commendable musical score. Then, in addition, the full movie cast lends their likeness to the video game too.

Pros

• Fun and varied gameplay
• Genuine movie cast do the voice acting for this title
• Visuals and level design are good
• Has some replay value

Cons

• Quite short run time
• Pretty easy if you’re not under ten years old