Previews// Doctor Who: The Adventure Games

Then it's off to explore and find some components you'll need in order to secure Amy's corporeal existence. More stealth! And things to move, and climb, and plenty to see. Working out where you can safely move is often as much of a puzzle as working out which doodad you can put where to make the thingamy twizzle.

We have, at this point, covered the three main styles of play – stealth, environmental puzzles and mini-games. I have to say, I was a bit concerned about how the game would avoid being a point and click adventure while remaining true to the Doctor's largely non-violent ways. Sumo appears to have done it. The way Cecil framed the aim of development was that they wanted to deliver a game that has the elements of a 'core' game without requiring that the gamer has the 'grammar' to instantly and automatically understand it. Sumo appears to have done that, too.

If you're looking for a pure third-person adventure gameplay experience, there are stronger candidates out there in the world. There are also more challenging and possibly deeper games you can try your hand at. But, in this instance focussing purely on gameplay mechanics seems to be missing the point a little bit. While they are, of course, massively important, the purpose of the Adventure Games is also to provide an extension of the experience provided by the TV shows – one that feels like an authentic outing into the Whoniverse. This is your chance to immerse yourself in the world of Doctor Who. From what I've seen, the game looks to be succeeding.

Let's also not forget that this could be important as a gateway into gaming for many people. It's going to be available on the UK's most widely-owned platform, aimed at the now mainstream audience of one of TV's biggest brands, and it's free.

Yeah, I'll say that again: free.

As an aside - I took a moment to ask about the Wii and DS Who games that were reported earlier in the year, since they've been conspicuously absent from coverage of the Adventure Games. In a nutshell, they're happening. I was informed by Iain Tweedale that they're being handled by BBC Worldwide, which operates quite separately from BBC Wales, and so have little connection to what's being done with The Adventure Games.

So, what's the future of Doctor Who interactive episodes? Well, there are three to follow after City of the Daleks, but the Beeb isn't announcing anything about their scheduling just yet. I asked whether we'll see new interactive episodes with each new series. "We'd love to see more of them", Iain said elusively. My tuppence-worth is that, with folks at the BBC seeming genuinely enthused about The Adventure Games, the series just needs to perform reasonably well. With no profits there to provide the traditional meter for 'success', the BBC has set benchmarks for the number of downloads it wants and will also look at whether the is received as an 'authentic' Who experience. In other words, vote with your mouse...