GENRE
	Action/Adventure
	DEVELOPER
	Smart Bomb Interactive
	PUBLISHER
	Activision
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-2
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	No
	DS COMPATIBLE
	No
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The Bee Movie Game continues the tale of Barry B. Benson. It is based on the computer animated film of the same name and is set after the events of the movie. The story is told through a series of flashback sequences, which appear during a television interview. Jeanette Chung, the hive news anchor, solicits information from Barry regarding his various adventures outside of the hive. While many of the game’s action sequences parallel what took place in the movie, some of them are a slight departure from the movie’s story line.

visuals

For the most part, the graphics in the game are passable. The framerate is consistent and the textures are adequate enough so as not to be a distraction. Of course, the game does not come close to matching the fully rendered 3D computer generated (CG) animation depicted in the movie – but, that’s to be expected. Having said that, much of the game’s story line is portrayed via pre-rendered cutscenes. When it comes to quality, these pre-rendered cutscenes are hit or miss. Some of them are decent and are akin to what you would see in the film, and some of them are grainy, dithered and low quality.

audio

This game is laden with dialog during many of the cutscenes, but there is a stark contrast between the, sometimes lengthy, dialog in the cutscenes versus the repetitive nature of the dialog during actual gameplay. Ambient sounds appear to be well-placed and appropriate. My only gripe would be the lack of decent, memorable music during the various driving sequences and mini-games that occur inside the hive.

gameplay

The objective of the game is to collect currency, in the form of pollen, so that you can purchase flight passes. Flight passes allow you to fly outside of the hive in order to complete various progressive missions. Some of the missions are direct reenactments of sequences from the movie, while others either parallel the movie’s story line or slightly deviate. While there are many opportunities to collect small amounts of pollen dispersed throughout the streets inside of the hive, moderate amounts of currency must be obtained by completing many of the assorted side-quests and mini-games. Unfortunately, the various mini-games inside of Bee City are much more fun than the those in the core New York City outside of the hive.

The game contains a total of five jobs that you can perform to earn currency. Jobs are accessed from job terminals dispersed throughout the hive. The various jobs include: J-Gate Distribution, taxi service, the Honex corporation, Pollen Jock Academy and racing at the Bee Speedway.

While the game requires both the Wiimote and the Nunchuck controller, the gameplay could have been easily accommodated by the Wiimote alone. Instead, you are left with a few instances in the game where some of the controls feel a little gimmicky and forced to make use of Nintendo’s innovation. The game also does not contain any legitimate feeling of progression as the various missions require the same level of skill to complete. This fact, coupled with the forced controls and familiar storyline does not give the player a sense of accomplishment.

multiplayer

If you are lucky enough to have two Wiimotes and two Nunchuck controllers, the multiplayer option on the main menu will be enabled. This option allows you to participate in a few mini-games with a family member or a fellow friend. Gameplay is not much different than what you would find while playing the game’s story mode.

overall

Games of this nature need to decide, up front, who their intended audience is. Otherwise, you end up with a game that tries to be accessible to children, yet provide enough depth to please older gamers. Unfortunately, utilizing this design methodology ends up pleasing no one. This game is extremely average, at best, and smacks of first generation Wii controls. In other words, the implementation of motion controls is for motion control’s sake without regard for practicality, form or function. That not withstanding, the game is enjoyable during some of its finer moments.

6.5/10