[#19] Avatar: The Last Airbender

Genre: Fantasy Action Adventure
Publisher: THQ
Developer: THQ
Number of Players:
ESRB: E for Everyone

The Story

"Play as Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Haru as you grow your team into an unstoppable force and utilize your bending powers, and explore the Avatar universe. Bring to life an adventure of intrigue, deception, and revelation that exposes an even greater threat than the Fire Nation as you battle new enemies and master your bending skills"

The Facts

Based off of the Nickelodeon TV show of the same name, Avatar: The Last Airbender (multiple platforms) will feature an all-new story never before seen in the show. Designed much in the likeness of a Baulders Gate game, Airbender features fully customizable and upgradable "bending powers," which are the elements manipulated by characters within the game. With Kung Fu style combat, players will travel through all the great nations of the Avatar universe and gain experience for defeating enemies. "Each player uses their own trademark weapon and fighting style, and are able to earn new special abilities" (Wikipedia, 2006). Characters will also be able to pick up weapons and items to help them along the way, on the fly; such as the standard healing potions, armor and enchanted gear. All of this assistance will be needed too, as never before seen enemies and creatures will also make an appearance.

A quick look at the four playable characters in the game, as taken off of the official site.

Aang is the reincarnation of the Avatar and is potentially able - indeed destined - to master all four bending disciplines equally, and is the only one capable of doing so. As the last Airbender, Aang is able to harness the air and wind to aid him, as well as use it for both defensive and offensive moves. Though capable of intense power, Airbending is not an outwardly aggressive discipline but is playful, evasive, and defensive in nature.

Katara is the team waterbender, and uses her innate skill to shape and move water in and between all its forms. As a waterbender, Katara is also the healer of the team. When you are not controlling her, she tries to heal them when they are in battle, but be careful to protect her from enemies.

Sokka, Katara's brother and warrior-in-training, Sokka has skill with ranged and melee weaponry, particularly his boomerang. Although he doesn't share his sister's ability to waterbend, he does gain benefit from other items like weapons, devices and armor.

Haru joins the team as the resident earthbender, and has power to break, mold and move the ground. Earth forms the foundation of the world, and is capable both of building and powerful destruction. It is equally defensive and aggressive in nature.

Most Likely to Remind You Of A Better Game

Anytime a game can be described as Baulders Gate-like, you know you're either on the right path or in big trouble. Avatar: The Last Airbender may actually be on the right path - well, on as right a path as you can take being a Nickelodeon video game.