Aladdin: Nasira's Revenge

Pros • Pretty character/scenery graphics • Some interesting gameplay elements • Familiar faces	Cons • Fatal camera problems • Too many insta-death challenges • Clipping bugs • Bland execution
Bottom Line Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Meet a so-called Nasty Nas, only this one can’t rap. More’s the shame. Instead, all Nasira’s Revenge can manage is to produce fairly generic platform adventuring, rather than do its famous forefather proud. Camera angles conjured from Hell’s black pits and a jumbled difficulty setting leave the game limping, though still on its feet, if just barely. Should it be standard run and jump antics you crave, albeit with a distinctly Middle Eastern flavor, maybe, just maybe, you’ll be interested in putting this feather in your cap. Or fez, that is.

Ages ago, circa 1994, when men were men and games were.. well.. 2D and arguably much more fun to play, Virgin Interactive and Shiny Entertainment produced a gem of a platformer called Aladdin. Based on the identically titled feature film, this animated wonder wowed audiences across multiple platforms with colorful graphics, excellent playability, and trademark Disney attitude. While newly released 3D run n' jump extravaganza Nasira's Revenge is indeed its heir apparent, several annoying design blunders keep the game from attaining as much critical acclaim. Like most recent sequels from Walt & co. that shoot straight towards video, it's entertaining during the here and now, yet long gone and forgotten tomorrow.

When last you visited with yon Arabian hero, he'd just defeated Jafar, an evil vizier. Trapped beneath tons of crumbling rock during a cave in, that should have been curtains for the turbaned twerp. Flushed with familial pride however, evil sorceress and concerned sister Nasira is determined to raise her mean-spirited brother from the dead. As you might imagine, her royal bitchiness' plans call for kidnapping the sultan and forcing Aladdin into helping gather certain magical artifacts needed for said ritual. Off mister street rat goes then, hopping and chopping his way towards freedom or a jolly good ending cinematic.

Like most juvenile diversions, Nasira's Revenge is heavy on platform jumping. Naturally, you'll be doing your fair share of sword fighting, first-person view apple tossing, and sneaking around as well, but leaps of faith come first. Where one initially gets an inkling as to the product's primary failing then is while tackling these particular challenges. A sluggish camera can't track the main character adequately, creating huge problems when you attempt to judge distance, direction, or timing at crucial moments. Instant death sequences follow typically, which makes matters even worse. Practicing rope swinging or rooftop leap techniques can ease frustrations in the long run, but nothing really guarantees you a fair shot.

Players will just have to be happy with a toned down difficulty level that colors every other aspect of gameplay. Whether do-gooders creep past guards or confront them head on matters little. Any damage you take is usually healed momentarily by finding a Genie juice box hidden nearby. Level interludes also alleviate your woes, providing opportunities whereby extra lives and continues are acquired through a slot, er 'wish' machine, or life-purchasing coins may be won through bonus stage and mini-game participation. Even mid-level target shoots and additional tests of skill require nary an ounce of concentration. It generally feels as if many design elements were just tacked on for creativity's sake without having been subjected to testing or polish.

That assessment also seems appropriate when describing the presentation. Movie scenes appear very sporadically, with entire chunks of play time left un-narrated. And although you'll appreciate many piano-centric sound samples and colorful, atmospheric background scenes that focus on Middle Eastern architecture, clipping problems give the product an amateurish feel. Nothing shatters your suspension of disbelief quite like looking through what should be a solid wall. Coupled with aforementioned view troubles, these problems prove highly embarrassing for a title which bears the Sony name.

Apart from these various niggles though, this is a semi-entertaining game. Every now and again, for a few minutes, it feels like everything gels together marvelously. Unfortunately, such moments are few and far between. Far more often you'll just settle for enjoying a haphazard shoot down a clothesline or ephemeral flying carpet ride. Those who've played The Emperor's New Groove or any other recent Disney Interactive product will find the experience somewhat reminiscent, clocking in as a touch above average, but hardly flirting with greatness.

Bearing such facts in mind, it's recommended that you merely rent, not buy Nasira's Revenge. At odds with its predecessor, this title features one too many flaws to warrant a purchase recommendation. Kids should briefly enjoy the sprightly hop and go nature of play, though adults needn't feel any nagging concerns over missing out on what should've been a high profile sequel. Tame genie at his service or no, if this is an example of where the series is headed, Aladdin's gonna have to burn wishes like a deadbeat dad to get things back on track.

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