We’ve come a long ways since the talking horse film, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, was released. The animated feature turned into a series on Netflix which expanded the world and introduced. Two video games based on the film were released on October 28, 2002, by THQ: the PC game Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron — Forever Free and the Game Boy Advance game Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron — Search For Homeland. 38 Spirit is also featured in the game Star Stable Online. citation needed. Spirit of the Cimarron. 453 likes 54 talking about this. You can't take me, I'm free.

• Spirit Video Game
• Spirit Forever Free Game Download
• Spirit Stallion Of The Cimarron Game Macbook

At the height of their success, Dreamworks were hard at work to pump out as many animated features as they possibly could. Now, not all of them could be Shrek, but to aim for the moon often means you’ll nestle amongst the stars. So that’s exactly what they aimed to do with Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. This movie would inevitably need an accompanying licenced game to supplement sales and before long this would be announced on the GBA with the same title as the movie in question.

This game plays rather like point and click adventures or some popular mobile games of today. Take The Simpsons: Tapped Out, Day Of The Tentacle, Escape from Monkey Island and Virtual Villagers 4: The Tree of Life as prime examples of this. This game aims to capture the essence of this heartwarming film while still providing a fun and fresh gameplay experience. So, does this game capture the film’s spirit, or is it a half baked representation? We find out in our review of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.

Run Like The Wind

First, lets address the shortcomings in terms of the overall presentation. In terms of sound quality, the game actually does a good job of providing some nice overtures and voice notes. Granted on the GBA this all sounds like white noise anyway but in terms of effort, you can see some went in here. Less can be said for the visual display. Most of the game is played from a top-down perspective where the sprites aren’t a great representation of the characters in the movie but rather just horses in general. Then the backdrop is like a watercolour JPEG.

Then with regards to the story of this game, it doesn’t follow the narrative of the film and rather fulfils the core concept of the film which is returning wild horses to their homeland. So, this is what you do and in all honesty, this is about as dull of a concept as you are likely to find in any horse related game out there and god knows there are plenty to choose from. There is little motivation to carry out the actions the game puts before you and perhaps sticking to the script was a better idea.

Knows its Market

The one thing that you can say about this game that turns out to be its biggest positive, is that the game knows what to highlight to players. This game is primarily aimed at kids and more specifically at female, horse loving gamers. So the game really focuses on the taming and caring for horses aspect of the game. Much to the detriment of the other aspects of the game but quite frankly, that wont matter much to the desired audience for this game.

The Verdict

Overall, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is a game that really focuses on the more mundane aspects of the film this game is inspired by. There is fun to be had for those that enjoy the horse caring simulation aspects of the title. However, it terms of narrative, gameplay variety, difficulty or visual spectacle, this game leaves the player wanting much, much more.

If you want a game that does the movie justice, you’ll be very much disappointed but for a casual horse related game for kids, this game fits the bill.

Pros:

• Sound quality is decent, even on GBA
• Decent horse caring sim mechanics

Cons:

• Game isn’t a good representation of the movie
• Visuals are sub-par
• Gameplay is dull and lacks and nuance or difficulty

Plastic 'Spirit' Figures

Spirit and Rain figures

Spirit and Rain Toys with a 'Treasure Kit' box

Spirit McDonald Toys

Spirit Yo-Yo

A rare battery powered Rain toy

Photo (c) respectful owner

Spirit Stallion box sets

Spirit Playsets

Spirit Video Game

Spirit Ball

Puzzles

Ravensburger Puzzle

Spirit Happy Families Game

RealMotion Plushes

RealMotion made two Spirit plushies, one of Spirit and one of Rain.

Poseable Spirit Plush

Other Plushes and Toys

Spirit and Rain Plushies - Underneath their outer lining are complete skeletal armature for posing.

Spirit and Rain Plushies - including accessories

Spirit Plush - 'Spirit: The Stallion of the Cimarron' Spirit Jumbo Plush Horse

Rain Plush - 'Spirit: The Stallion of the Cimarron' Rain Jumbo Plush Horse

Spirit and Rain Plushes - Each plush has a squeeze-me sticker on the side. When you squeeze the plush, it will make sounds of neighing.

Spirit Plushie

Spirit Forever Free Game Download

Large Sitting Spirit Plushie

Spirit Plush

Esperanza Plush

Rain Plush

Esperanza, Spirit, Rain and Eagle plush collection

Large Spirit Plush

The Eagle plushie

Spirit Stallion Of The Cimarron Game Macbook

Other

Spirit Hop-Along - 'Spirit: The Stallion of the Cimarron' Hop-Along Horse

Rain Toy (with accessories)

Photos (c) their respectful owners