Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: A Prehistoric Adventure for the Whole Family

Released in 2009, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a 3D platformer based on the popular computer-animated film of the same name. The game follows the adventures of Manny the mammoth, Sid the sloth, Diego the saber-toothed tiger, Scrat the squirrel, and their friends as they navigate a lush jungle world inhabited by dinosaurs.

Players control multiple prehistoric protagonists across more than 15 levels of lighthearted action. Each character has their own unique abilities that must be mastered in order to progress through the game. For example, Manny can use his trunk to smash obstacles and throw objects, while Sid can glide through the air with his umbrella.

The game features a variety of gameplay elements, including platforming, puzzles, and action sequences. Players will explore caves, ride a pterodactyl, avoid a rampaging Tyrannosaurus rex, and more. Those having difficulty during certain sequences can receive tips from woolly mammoth Ellie as well as possums Crash and Eddie.

In addition to the single-player campaign, Ice Age 2 offers eight competitive mini-games supporting up to four players. These mini-games are a great way to test your skills against friends and family.

Gameplay

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a 3D platformer that plays very similarly to other games in the genre, such as Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. Players control one of several prehistoric characters as they explore a variety of levels, collecting items, solving puzzles, and defeating enemies.

The game’s levels are large and open-ended, with plenty of secrets to discover. Players are free to explore the levels at their own pace, and there is no set order in which the levels must be completed.

The game’s controls are simple and easy to learn. Players use the left analog stick to move their character, the right analog stick to control the camera, and the face buttons to jump, attack, and interact with objects.

The game’s combat is simple but effective. Players can attack enemies with a variety of melee and ranged attacks. Melee attacks are performed with the Y button, while ranged attacks are performed with the X button.

Characters

Players can control a variety of prehistoric characters in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, each with their own unique abilities.

  • Manny the mammoth: Manny is a large and powerful mammoth who can use his trunk to smash obstacles and throw objects.
  • Sid the sloth: Sid is a slow and clumsy sloth who can glide through the air with his umbrella.
  • Diego the saber-toothed tiger: Diego is a fast and agile saber-toothed tiger who can use his claws and teeth to attack enemies.
  • Scrat the squirrel: Scrat is a small and frantic squirrel who is obsessed with acorns.
  • Ellie the woolly mammoth: Ellie is a female woolly mammoth who is Manny’s love interest. She can use her trunk to heal other characters and lift heavy objects.
  • Crash and Eddie the possums: Crash and Eddie are a pair of mischievous possums who can use their tails to swing from trees and attack enemies.

Graphics

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs features colorful and detailed graphics that bring the world of the film to life. The game’s characters are expressive and well-animated, and the environments are lush and vibrant.

The game’s graphics are particularly impressive considering that it was released in 2009. The game still holds up well today, and it is one of the best-looking games on the Wii.

Sound

The game’s sound design is also top-notch. The game’s music is catchy and memorable, and the sound effects are realistic and immersive.

The game’s voice acting is also excellent. The actors from the film reprise their roles, and they deliver their lines with the same energy and enthusiasm that they did in the film.

Overall

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a fun and charming platformer that is perfect for fans of the film and for families looking for a lighthearted adventure. The game’s simple controls, colorful graphics, and catchy music make it a great choice for gamers of all ages.

Score: 8/10

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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