Tad the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet is a return to the type of licensed game we thought had died out a while ago. It follows the events of the movie without bothering to get anyone else up to speed, the platforming is perfunctory, and it looks mostly nice if you don't look deeply into it. The game's low difficulty level makes it a good choice for younger gamers, but the number of bugs will frustrate those same players. Fans of the movie or character might be tempted by the relatively low price, but this is a tough sell, even for those who love collect-a-thons.

Tad the Lost Explorer is a nice-looking 3D platformer that sends you around the world to solve puzzles, discover treasures, and prove that you are a great explorer. There are issues with some of the puzzles where completing it doesn't trigger the next event correctly, so you may need to replay sections.