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A spooky mansion filled with fairies and goblins, three kids attempting to uncover the mysteries left behind by their dead uncle and the constant threat of imminent disaster should have been a good starting point for Spiderwick Chronicles to build from. Unfortunately, developer Stormfront Studios has stuck to “movie to game” adaptation tradition and produced a less than satisfying final product. Spiderwick gives the initial impression of a fun adventure game that provides the opportunity to explore and solve a wide range of puzzles. However, the game lacks any “wow” factor or appeal beyond the first hour of play. Sierra Entertainment have marketed this at younger gamers and it’s a reasonable attempt, but don’t expect this to be a great family game that you and your kids can play together for hours on end.

The basic story surrounds your long lost uncle Arthur and his mansion that you have inherited. Once you move in and discover his book “Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide To The Fantastical World Around You’’ the story begins. The in-game world is lighthearted and fun and has plenty to explore, unfortunately the novelty wears off quickly and boredom sets in.

Each chapter and its quests are basically an expedition through various areas such as a forest, quarry and mansion. The objectives are simple and involve gathering various items, for example piecing together a splatter gun required a tyre pump and some tomato sauce. The first hour or so of the single player is fairly enjoyable as you play through each mission and run around collecting items and exploring. Early on you can be forgiven for thinking that the game gives a good kids version of an RPG with its free roam environment, exploring, collecting and assorted combat moves. Unfortunately the constant backtracking to places you’ve been before gets tiresome very quickly and begins to bore the tears out of you after about the second chapter.

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