Product Reviews

With the Olympic Games just months away, it was only a matter of time before we saw an influx of games based on the event. However, Asterix at the Olympic Games isn't quite what you'd expect, as it melds the usual predictable mix of sporting mini-games with an action-adventure twist. As well as competing in Olympic events, Asterix and his rotund companion Obelix must travel between dimensions in a bid to stop Julius Caesar's son becoming ruler of all worlds.

Controlling either Asterix or Obelix (each of which has his own unique abilities), you must complete a set of simple yet mindlessly

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fun mini-games. If you don't own a joypad, don't even consider buying this game, as the keyboard controls are infuriatingly clunky, making even the simplest task a chore.

Most of the sporting challenges involve manic button-mashing, while the exploration sections require only a little more skill. Events include sprints, long jumps, pole-vaulting, hammer throwing and chariot racing, while the other segments involve beating up enemy soldiers and solving rudimentary puzzles. The average visuals and passable animations do little to raise the quality, while a distinct lack of variety ensures that you quickly grow bored, despite glimmers of humour that capture the zany spirit of the comics. Other problems include a suspect camera, which often points the wrong way during the adventure segments, and buggy AI that can make your opponents act erratically during sporting events.

If you have kids below the age of 10 or you're an avid Asterix fan looking for a shot of button-mashing mayhem, the game's bright visuals and flashes of humour are enough to warrant your attention. Anyone looking for a more challenging sporting experience is unlikely to find much satisfaction here.