The Golden Compass preview for Sony PSP

The Golden Compass game is based on the massive selling Gold Compass book and forthcoming Gold Compass film. What's amazing from what we've seen is how close the PSP version of the Gold Compass game is to the home console versions. With the success of the Harry Potter games surely upmost in the developers and publishers minds, it's clear that in The Golden Compass they want to provide universal appeal and a quality of game that will bring everyone back for the inevitable sequels. For more information on The Golden Compass, read this month's preview and exclusive developer interview.

Click here to read the Golden Compass preview for Sony PSP now!

The Golden Compass preview for Sony PSP
P hilip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy of novels has enraptured both kids and adults alike and has gained much critical favour – Materials fans steadfastly insist that ‘their' series is a much more accomplished set of stories than JK Rowling's phenomenon.

It's fair to say that Sega is trying it s best to ensure that the game of the imminent movie of the first novel in the series, The Golden Compass (known as Northern Lights in the UK), lives up to this universally accessible appeal. In handing development duties to Enter The Matrix developer Shiny Enter tainment, Sega has found an experienced hand to produce its biggest license to date, and the signs are looking very promising indeed.

It's the PSP version that we've seen the most of, and it's quite incredible how close it is to the home console versions. You control three of the main characters – lead heroine Lyra, Pan the shape-shif ting demon, and lorek, a gigantic bear. The lat ter's sec tions are naturally combat-based, as he uses his giant paws to swipe away at any enemies who cross his path. Meanwhile, Lyra and Pan work together in fairly traditional plat forming sections, while the former also gets her own levels with a more exploration-based bent, as well as a stealth section or two.