The Princess Bride Game: High Adventure and True Love- Have I just Outgrown Them?

They made a Princess Bride game? Fans of the 1987 classic are pricking up their ears, first with interest, then anxiety, remembering how many cherished stories have been shat upon by corporate interests before. Some of them, die hards who will judge you by your ability to recognize phrases like “Wuv, twoo wuv,” will watch the trailer and explore the official site out of pure duty. Others, ten-year-old girls who have probably also seen Barbie: Mermaidia, will find themselves drawn to the rather pretty animations.

Yes, The Official Princess Bride Game is an animated adventure game, featuring just about every famous scene and classic quote from the movie. Help Buttercup and Westley manage the farm, face Vizzini in a battle of wits, help Miracle Max concoct his remedies, navigate the terrors of the Fire Swamp, and storm Prince Humperdinck’s castle! You know you want to get to the kissing part at the end.

The casual puzzles, such as the “I spy” game to help Miracle Max find ingredients in his cluttered house, may seem a little infantile to the serious gamer. In response to this sort of criticism, Worldwide Biggies notes this puzzle is representative of “the surprisingly popular ‘hidden items’ genre, which is about seven out of ten on Big Fish right now.” Frankly, I don’t know about you, but I think that these sorts of games are likely to alienate many loyal fans of the movie.

Still, I really shouldn’t take on such a condescending tone. After all, the development team says the game targets “kids 8-13 years old as well as young adults 25-50 years old.” Um, interesting combination of demographics there. The Worldwide Biggies CEO, too, feels “confident that ‘The Princess Bride Game’ will excite loyal followers as well as a whole new generation of fans, especially the growing number of women and girl gamers.”

“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” Available now, for Windows and Mac for $19.95.