Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo Preview

E3 2003 - First Look
 

Wallace and Gromit are getting their very own console adventure this September in Project Zoo.  Project Zoo takes place after the “Wrong Trousers” short film, and follows up on the duo trying to free 24 baby animals from an evil man trying to take over a zoo.  As Gromit the dog, you must free these animals, avoid the bad guys, and keep a close and watchful eye over your bumbling master, Wallace. 

The preview build had tons of style, and the graphics were already right on par with the award-winning show.  The characters had all the personality of their film counterparts and the physical comedy between Wallace and Gromit made the characters really stand out.  The gameplay was nicely varied.  One level I saw had Gromit sneaking around in a dark warehouse a la Solid Snake (at one point even hiding under a box and peering through a hole in first person), and the next had him running around and jumping in a molten lava/volcano-type setting.  The game also made strong use of the contraptions which Wallace builds.  As you progress through levels, it’s necessary to pick up parts for these contraptions in order to proceed from place to place.  They vary, from a fire extinguisher to a porridge gun.  If the game stays on track, then Wallace and Gromit fans should have something to look forward to this fall.