With the rise in anime's popularity in the Western world, many animated series have come along that emulate the likes of Japan's best animated offerings. While most of these series struggle to find their place in the viewers' rotation, Code Lyoko managed to catch on in a big way with its unique setting and attractive characters. In an effort to capitalize on the success of the series, DC Studios and The Game Factory have brought Code Lyoko to the DS.

Code Lyoko is a hybrid of two genres. In the 2D sections of the game, everything plays out like a typical adventure game. You'll search for items, solve puzzles, and complete goals to advance deeper into the storyline. When entering the world of Lyoko, a virtual world where the evil X.A.N.A. threatens peace, the game becomes a 3D action title.

Both 2D and 3D elements are executed well, even if the presentation can trip you up at times. A sketchy camera will probably do you in more than a couple of times, but it's not enough to put a damper on things for more than a moment.

As you progress through Code Lyoko, you'll need to make use of each character's abilities. Without giving away too much of what each character is capable of, know that certain situations demand that you swap in the right man (or woman) for the job. If you're running into a whole gang of enemies, you might want to pass on using Aelita in favor of Ulrich. Swapping characters is easy, and you'll be doing it often.

The battling and platforming is pretty satisfying, even if it's a bit on the easy side early on in the game. I figure that DC Studios needed to make the game accessible to a younger audience, given the source material for the game. Older gamers, however, should be able to appreciate the difficulty that can be found in the later stages of the game. In fact, if you don't choose the right character for the situation as the game progresses, you'll find it harder and harder to complete battle segments (sometimes downright impossible).

Graphically, the game does a better job than most licensed titles to be found on the DS. The world of Lyoko, while a bit blocky, is varied and stylish. DC Studios really went the extra mile in bringing the look of the series home for fans of the franchise. Obviously there are the typical complaints to be had with the DS and its 3D visuals: some textures are muddy, the world geometry is a bit on the blocky side, and objects in the distance lose detail rapidly. Overall, however, Code Lyoko is a step up over the typical licensed title in regards to graphics.

Closing Comments
When approaching a title like Code Lyoko, it's always a little bit tricky. It's obvious that the target audience for the game is the fans of the animated series. However, shows like Code Lyoko are enjoyed by a wide range of age demographics. There are times when the game seems to be attempting to hold a younger audience's hand through challenges, but other other times when even seasoned gamers will run into areas that will test their skill. Still, you can tell that DC Studios and The Game Factory really worked hard to surpass the typical shoddy quality of a licensed game. For fans of the series, it might be a while before you see a better adaptation of the show. For those that are unfamiliar with the Code Lyoko brand, the game might lose much of its appeal.