Grinch Impressions

The Grinch is based on the classic children's tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. The story has spawned an animated special and a new movie that's currently in theaters - and now, the Grinch has also made his way into a game. The PC version appears to be a typical console port; the graphics have not improved significantly and the controls can't be remapped. But these issues probably wouldn't stop a child or a nostalgic adult from getting into this action-adventure game.

Although the textures aren't particularly impressive, the colorful graphics are appropriate. The story is told in the usual Dr. Seuss fashion, complete with rhymes. The Grinch starts in his lair on top of Mt. Crumpit (which turns out to be a training level) and must make his way to the laboratory. Here he not only finds his supercomputer (which he'll use to assemble gadgets) but also entrances to mission areas. New gadgets can be assembled by finding blueprints throughout the missions. In the beginning of the game, the Grinch only has access to Whoville, but as the game proceeds other areas become available.

In Whoville, the Grinch finds a pleasant town waiting to be vandalized. He must smash snowmen, squash presents, deface paintings, and do other mean-spirited activities. The puzzles aren't too difficult: Most are straightforward and easy to accomplish. Some puzzles require multiple steps, which usually must be done in a specific order to complete the task. Max, the Grinch's dog, can be called upon to do tasks that are too small for the Grinch. He can run in small passages to retrieve keys or open doors for the Grinch.

The Grinch won't get away with defacing the town easily. Patrolling guards await the Grinch, and are equipped with freezing weapons. Little children will run up to the Grinch and give him hugs, which harm the Grinch. And yet other townspeople will throw snowballs and set up music players. Luckily the Grinch can either get a costume to disguise himself or fight back with weapons of his own, including bad breath and a rotten egg launcher. The game is not violent and is suitable for both the young and old. The Grinch will be in stores this December.