Alex Rider: Stormbreaker
The background for the game and the movie comes from Anthony Horowitz's book Stormbreaker,
about a multitalented teenager Alex Rider – linguist, scuba diver, mountaineer, crack shot
and martial arts expert – inducted into M16 as an undercover spy.
Alex is chosen because his uncle – an undercover spy was killed on his urgent mission. So much for backstory.
In the Nintendo DS version you assemble the story through chapters, discovering the events of his
uncle's death while evading henchmen on your trail and avoiding being seen when trailing them.
You go through strenuous M16 training, get the James Bond equivalent of weapons -- YoYo, and zits cream
and buy additional power-ups at the Toy Store.
You will have to escape numerous times, swim, avoid deadly jellyfish and discover
why giving computers to all the schools is a bad, bad thing, and of course, foil the plot.
The Nintendo GBA abbreviates the back story of Stormbreaker and it is interesting to compare how
the story is presented on these different platforms.
While the GBA tries to personalize Alex – he still remains a sprite upon the screen.
Alex has to go M16 training and to prepare him to search and destroy bugs,
fight his way through numerous environments, escape deadly jellyfish, pursue the villain on horse,
bike and eventually by climbing a tower.
It is interesting to see how the story has been distilled into action levels.
Both versions are priced the same. Pays your money and takes your choice.
Alex Rider is a good character. Will the franchise become to boys what Nancy Drew is to girls?
Reviewed by: Editor - 10/06
Ages: E10+