Planet 51

Planet 51 is the latest movie from the writer of Shrek and Shrek 2 – and promises just as many family-friendly giggles as those two colossal releases.

Sega has snapped up the rights to the game of the movie, and understandably has high hopes. The film’s storyline certainly promises a feel-good hit for Christmas.

American astronaut Captain Charles ‘Chuck’ Baker lands on Planet 51 thinking he’s the first person to step foot there, only to find the world is actually inhabited by little green people happily going about life in a way reminiscent of the innocent 1950s America.

With the help of his robot companion Rover, and alien friend Lem, Chuck must navigate his way through the bewildering, landscape of Planet 51 in order to escape becoming a permanent part of the Planet 51 Alien Invaders Space Museum.

In keeping with the storyline of the movie, Planet 51 The Game sees players help bumbling astronaut
Chuck and new-found alien friend Lem slowly try and find their way back to Chuck’s spaceship.

“We are really excited about the release of Planet 51,” explains Sega UK product manager Ben Payne. “The game’s unique conception – in conjunction with the animation studio – gives it unrivalled synergy as a licensed product. We believe that all those who buy Planet 51 will be delighted with the quality of the product.”

The free-roaming world allows characters to explore on foot, before commandeering vehicles to complete numerous missions enabling Chuck to return home to Earth.

Chuck and Lem can take control of hover bikes, taxis, cars, trucks and more to take part in missions involving police chases, cutting grass and even driving angry gorillas to the circus.

“Planet 51’s defining feature is that it is made across the hall from the people making the movie, so the same infectious wit and storytelling is very apparent in the game as in the movie,” adds Payne.

Sega will target parents and kids with a TV campaign at launch and through December. Meanwhile, a strong cinema campaign for the game is booked out for the movie’s UK run.