Doctor Who: The Adventure Games

About

"Doctor Who: The Adventure Games" is a single-player adventure game with a good story, but can be very buggy. As the Doctor's companion, players embark on exciting adventures through time and space, coming face-to-face with classic enemies such as the Daleks, Cybermen, and Vashta Nerada. The game also offers a unique opportunity to explore the TARDIS and experience its inner workings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Doctor Who: The Adventure Games screenshot

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 188 reviews

story12 positive mentions

graphics12 negative mentions

Great for Doctor Who fans, featuring original voice acting from Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.
Engaging storylines that feel like episodes of the show, with nostalgic elements and references.
Fun puzzle-solving and stealth gameplay that captures the essence of the Doctor Who universe.

Dated graphics and clunky controls that can detract from the overall experience.
Some episodes are too short, and the gameplay can feel repetitive with simplistic puzzles.
The AI companions can be frustrating, often getting stuck or caught, leading to frequent restarts.

story
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
67%
10%
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its alignment with the Doctor Who series and the inclusion of beloved characters and monsters. However, some critiques highlight the shallow and repetitive nature of the plot and gameplay mechanics, particularly in the "Gunpowder Plot" episode, which some found confusing and less engaging. Overall, while the narrative captures the essence of the show, its execution may not satisfy all players, especially those unfamiliar with the Doctor Who universe.
- “Doctor Who is a show that captivated audiences, not by the flashy special effects, because there were not many in its early days, but due to the story.”
- “With the voice actors being the ones from the show, Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman, and the story being very strong, the game captivates in the same way.”
- “The episodes themselves are fine; the story and voice acting seem like proper Doctor Who episodes.”
- “Dated graphics, sluggish unresponsive controls that really make the stealth component more of a pain than it should be, shallow forced storyline and 'puzzles' that you have seen a million times before.”
- “I didn't enjoy the gunpowder plot episode; it was dry, boring, long, and confusing.”
- “The voice acting can be bad and some moments in the story are just bad.”
graphics
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
54%
24%
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized as dated and subpar, often compared to titles from the early 2000s, with many reviewers noting issues like poor textures and glitches. While some players find the visuals acceptable for a 2011 release, they generally agree that the graphics do not enhance the overall experience and can detract from gameplay. Despite these shortcomings, a few users appreciate the nostalgic feel and character likenesses, suggesting that the graphics, while lacking, do not completely overshadow the fun of the game.
- “The graphics may be Xbox level but feature fantastic voice acting by Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.”
- “The graphics are a little different from what I am used to, but they don't take away from the game.”
- “The overall experience of playing the adventure games is like playing an average video game with 2000-like graphics: on the other hand, 'Doctor Who: The Adventure Games' is a perfect opportunity to see the TARDIS on your computer screen without moving to the UK.”
- “For a game made in 2011, the graphics are pretty poor. They couldn't be bothered to illuminate the interior of the TARDIS, lights don't align properly, textures are missing on the TARDIS during the beginning cutscene, and characters and NPCs clip through random things like phone boxes and taxis.”
- “The graphics are dreadful for a game released in 2011.”
- “Horrid control scheme, graphics on max level look as though they're from 2002 - Half-Life 2 had better graphics and it came out in 2002.”
gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
70%
10%
The gameplay is primarily focused on stealth mechanics, simple puzzles, and mini-games, which many players find repetitive and lacking depth. While the controls can be clunky and the mechanics overly simplistic, the game appeals to younger audiences and Doctor Who fans through its engaging story and nostalgic elements. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying the casual approach while others criticize its lack of variety and challenge.
- “The gameplay is quite different than a few Doctor Who games; this is not a platformer. Instead, you can roam around and control your character outside of a 2D path.”
- “It's addictive collectable gameplay that prevents gamers from getting bored, and for software clearly targeted at children, the material does have mature moments and clever references.”
- “The design is great, the voice acting is accurate, the story is educational but fun, and the overall gameplay is great in comparison to other games I've played.”
- “Didn't play it for long, but every level is the same boring 'sneak around the Daleks' gameplay with clunky controls.”
- “Gameplay-wise, each episode is dishearteningly short and lasts for barely an hour. Most missions rely on you using 'stealth' (don't walk into the green notice area of the NPCs with a predetermined path). There are also many stupid 'guide this through the maze' games which are fun to start with but appear constantly throughout the game and just become repetitive and obnoxious.”
- “The gameplay is mainly stealthing around or collecting items and doing mini-games.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The music in the game is primarily sourced from the TV show, enhancing its authenticity and providing a nostalgic experience for fans. While the soundtrack, including Murray Gold's incidental music, is generally well-received, some players note that it can become repetitive and occasionally overpower sound effects during action sequences. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, especially for those familiar with the series.
- “The soundtrack used from the show itself adds to authenticity.”
- “Great stories, acting, and music.”
- “Also, they have the soundtrack from the show in here which is ear candy.”
- “The music has a tendency to get a bit too loud when string-heavy action sequences are playing, resulting in the sound effects and speech getting masked a bit.”
- “Its fun if you play it ironically, after paying for it ironically and singing the theme song ironically while hoping to wake up from the Moffat nightmare incarnated as a 5 episode video game.”
- “The music in the game is okay, it loops constantly, but it's fine.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is generally criticized for being clumsy and buggy, with numerous glitches reported by players. While some find the glitches amusing and not game-breaking, others note that they can disrupt gameplay, particularly in specific episodes. Overall, the game is considered playable despite its technical issues.
- “But this game is just clumsy, buggy, and not the slightest bit funny.”
- “This game is very buggy and glitchy, but the storyline is pretty good.”
- “Overall this is a very nice game; the graphics are a bit old, and there are a few glitches, but it is playable.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the iconic and character-driven dialogue reminiscent of the show, others find the clumsiness and bugs unintentionally hilarious. The voice acting, though lacking enthusiasm, adds to the comedic effect, making the game's serious moments amusingly awkward. Overall, the humor is often derived from its flaws, leading to a unique experience that some find entertaining.
- “I enjoy the voice acting, the episodic levels, and the iconic humor.”
- “Not because it's good, but because it's so bad, it's hilarious!”
- “Everyone's in character here and the dialogue can range from dead serious to openly hilarious, just like in the show, and I have to say that it's great to see that here.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its authenticity, closely mirroring the iconic ambiance of the Doctor Who TV series, complete with familiar voice actors. Reviewers appreciate the immersive and sometimes eerie setting, which allows for creative and unpredictable storytelling across diverse locations.
- “The atmosphere is just as brilliant as the Doctor Who series on TV.”
- “The series captures authenticity with the same actors' voices and immersive atmosphere.”
- “I really enjoyed its atmosphere, and it was actually kind of scary in some episodes!”
- “The atmosphere feels disjointed, as the game often throws random elements into the setting without any logical connection.”
- “While the game attempts to create a unique atmosphere, it often feels chaotic and lacks coherence.”
- “The setting is so erratic that it detracts from immersion, making it hard to engage with the world.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has limited replayability, with some users noting it can be played 2-3 times primarily to collect all items before the story becomes tedious. However, others mention a significant amount of replay value, suggesting that players may find enjoyment in multiple playthroughs.
- “Is 0 replay value (unless you miss some of the collectibles).”
- “-Replayability (playable for about 2-3 times to collect everything before getting bored of the story).”
- “I spent 12 hours playing it through, but there is a lot of replay value.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The game features simple controls that facilitate easy gameplay, and it runs smoothly on various systems. While the graphics are not particularly demanding, they are adequate, ensuring that performance issues are unlikely.
- “Simple controls make it easy to pick up, and the games run smoothly.”
- “The graphics are passable, ensuring that you don't have to worry about computer performance.”
- “The graphics are passable, but not so intense that you should worry about computer performance.”
- “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, even on high-end systems.”
- “There are frequent stutters and long loading times that disrupt the overall experience.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustratingly tedious, leading to a sense of monotony over time. Despite some attempts to alleviate this with additional content, the repetitive nature remains a significant drawback.
- “This gets really tedious after a while.”
- “Frustratingly tedious, and although they included variety, it doesn't help much.”