Dreamworks' upcoming motion picture, "Rise of the Guardians," casts children's mythology figures — the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy — as heroic warrior figures who, in times of need, work to protect the world from nightmarish figures such as Pitch the Nightmare King (the Boogeyman). When Pitch decides to attack children's belief in the Guardians, they're forced to ask for help from the previously neutral Jack Frost. Based on the book series, "The Guardians of Childhood," this tie-in seeks to capture the film in a classic, easy-to-play video game.

At its core, Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game can be summarized in one word: Gauntlet. Pitch throws swarms upon swarms of nightmare creatures at the heroes, who each have attacks for dealing with the beasts. The game does provide a few decent twists, and it features many original creatures that aren't in the film to provide some variety.

Attacks are primarily generated with one button, keeping play easy. However, characters have three special moves, which are based on one gauge per character, to provide panic buttons and power sources. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same old missions of running through the environment, with occasional boss battles or tweaks to change up things. Often, but not always, it's Pitch stepping in to stop you. The game features a full upgrade system, too, to allow characters to be upgraded in various areas. Four-player drop-in, drop-out multiplayer should make for some fun play sessions and add to the game's replay value.

Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game feels like a requisite title to go with the film, but at least looks like it's been decently prepared and planned. Coming out a day before the movie, it hits the requisite buttons in a decently entertaining fashion. For the younger audience, it should be easy to enjoy, though Torus Games has put in at least a little effort to entertain older players.