A mythical island filled with strange, exotic life lay in peace until a shadow fell across the island. Makuta has cast a pall of evil over an otherwise peaceful. It will take a force from the past to eradicate this shadow and restore the island.

Mata Nui has put its faith in you. Can you collect the legendary stones of the Toa, and bring the mythical race back to save the island?

Lego Bionicle, for the Game Boy Advance from Lego, is an enchanting journey, rife with clever graphics and a host of puzzles although it is built on a tired theme.

There are six stones, scattered about the island. Most of the islanders are sitting idle, awaiting their fates. Not really knowing any better, you – as the Lego villager Takua – have decided to venture forth.

The island if Mata Nui is not a continuous land mass. There are some environmental challenges that will need to be faced. And the leaping ability of your little islander cannot always circumnavigate every obstacle. The introduction of the game has you learning to pick up and toss turtles into the narrow straits, and then using them as steppingstones. That should clue you in that the environment can also be your friend.

The inventory screen has a little more depth than most, and is well set up. You can equip a number of items, and that fruit you collect might just become a missile weapon.

The controls are not seemingly complicated. The D-pad controls movement; the A button will enable players to duck, use, talk or examine objects; the B button is for jumping or canceling an action; the L button is to use the tool selected for the left button; and the R button allows players to use the tool selected for the right tool.

The sound is negligible, or merely average for the platform. The storyline is in text, as is the conversations. Silly guards exchanging mindless banter (a la Abbott and Costello) loses a lot in the translation.

Graphically the game is solid. The perspective is from above, and the animation is quite nice – from the waddling gait of your character to the environmental elements, like the aforementioned turtles.

The first task you will have to face is rescuing the chief of the underground village from a rampaging beast. Consider it a test of your mettle and ability to carry out the overall mission.

You can save the game at any point, which is quite nice when you are entering an area posing a physical challenge, or working on a puzzle. This is a game that is very player-friendly.

Rated for Everyone, Bionicle is a fun little program. It may not be overly complicated as far as a storyline is concerned – in fact, the storyline is a tired formula – but it does have a nice variety of mini games, and a host of unique creatures.

Gameplay: 8
This game has a nice variety of environments above and below the island. The puzzles allow players to keep on course, and in that sense, this game is quite linear in nature.

Graphics: 7.8
The game simulates a three-dimensional feel, and the animation is very nice. The environments are well rendered.

Sound: 7
Nothing exceptional here.

Difficulty: 7.5
The inventory screen is well designed. Read all the signs during the introductory first level and you will get an understanding of the controls.

Concept: 6.5
A tired storyline fuels this tale, and though it does not service the game well, it does provide just enough to move the game along.

Multiplayer: N/A
This game is configured for multiplayer input through a GBA Link Cable.

Overall: 7.7
Bionicle is the same old storyline revisited. The game play is quite good, though the game is very linear. The Lego player character is customizable, and the animation is well rendered. This is an enjoyable little outing that will entertain players with its various puzzles and reflexive challenges.