Sega announces Philip Pullman game, The Golden Compass
DS and PSP game will tie in with forthcoming movie
Sega has revealed details of its forthcoming game based on the upcoming movie, The Golden Compass, itself based on the first book in the award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy, by British author Philip Pullman.
The game is being developed for multiple platforms – including DS and PSP – and is scheduled for release this Christmas, just prior to the opening of the New Line Cinema motion picture on December 7th.
The game promises to feature key environments from the movie, and in-game characters based on actors such as Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua.
The Golden Compass follows the screenplay adaptation of the first book in the trilogy, so you can expect the giant armoured bears, flying witches, and soul-linked animal familiar's – daemon – that the novel is renowned for.
According to Sega, players assume the role of Lyra, a young girl, along with her daemon Pantalaimon, as she travels through the frozen wastes of the North collecting special items in order to explore, evade and deceive her way through confrontations to rescue a friend kidnapped by a mysterious organisation known as The Gobblers.
Lyra can also use her daemon and collaborate with in-game characters to journey through an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.
Alternatively, you can take on the character of Iorek Byrnison, a great armoured polar bear who joins the quest.
Iorek battles to protect Lyra during their journey using a riding mechanic and special attacks to fend off enemies. Players will also be able to unlock secrets and mini-games using a mysterious truth-telling golden compass device called an Alethiometer.
The Golden Compass promises 13 locations to explore including all-new environments not seen in the books or the film.
The game is being developed by Shiny Entertainment for PSP and Artificial Mind & Movement for the DS version, and as fans of the novels we're looking forward to taking the bear for a spin. Click 'Track It!' to learn more when we do.