Coraline

The *Coraline* video game, also known as *Coraline: The Game* and *Coraline: An Adventure Too Weird for Words*, is an adventure game based on the 2009 stop-motion animated film of the same name. It was released in North America on January 27, 2009, just a few weeks before the movie's theatrical debut. The game was made available for the PlayStation 2, Wii, and Nintendo DS platforms. Developed by Papaya Studio for the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions and by Art Co., Ltd for the Nintendo DS, the game was published by D3 Publisher. The storyline of the game closely follows the plot of the film, with some minor differences. Players take on the role of the adventurous protagonist, Coraline Jones, who has recently moved with her parents to the Pink Palace Apartments. Feeling bored and neglected by her busy parents, she discovers a small, secret door that leads to a mysterious parallel universe. This "Other World" is a seemingly idealized version of her own life, complete with an attentive "Other Mother" and "Other Father" who have buttons for eyes. However, Coraline soon discovers the sinister nature of this alternate reality and its ruler, the malevolent creature known as the Beldam or the Other Mother. The primary objective of the game is for Coraline to escape the clutches of the Beldam and return to her own world. The gameplay primarily consists of a series of mini-games and fetch quests that advance the narrative. Players can explore both the mundane reality of the Pink Palace and the more vibrant, yet treacherous, Other World. Activities in the game include helping Coraline's parents move boxes, collecting apples for her neighbors, and interacting with the various quirky characters from the film, such as Wybie Lovat and the Cat. Throughout the game, players can collect buttons, which act as a form of currency, and unlockable items like different outfits for Coraline, concept art, and stills from the movie. Only three actors from the film reprised their roles for the video game: Dakota Fanning as Coraline, Keith David as the Cat, and Robert Bailey Jr. as Wybie. The game's musical score was composed and produced by Mark Watters. Unlike the critically acclaimed film, the *Coraline* video game received a generally negative reception. According to the review aggregation website Metacritic, the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions received "unfavorable" reviews, while the DS version garnered "mixed" reviews. Common criticisms included the game's simplistic and often tedious mini-games, and a general feeling that the game was an incomplete experience. Some critics also noted that the game could be too difficult for its intended younger audience. IGN gave the game a score of 2.5/10, stating that some game boxes should never be opened. Despite the poor reception, some players found enjoyment in the game's faithful adherence to the movie's atmosphere and art style.