The title "Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End" s a bit of a misnomer, as the plot actually encompasses the last two Pirates movies: Dead Man's Chest and At World's End. You assume the role of Captain Jack Sparrow for the most part, and occasionally other major characters, like Will and Elizabeth, as you complete levels whose objectives mirror the major plot points of the movies.
Disney Interactive has done a magical job of capturing the atmosphere of the films and translating it to the game. The environments and characters are impressive in high definition, and the character voices and underlying music are spot-on.. Captain Jack swaggers realistically from place to place, especially in the cut scenes, and many of his humorous mannerisms are on display throughout the game. There are some glitches that diminish the suspension of disbelief, however. To make the environments more lifelike, townsfolk linger around the locales, often with a trite word for Captain Jack as he strolls by; unfortunately, these townsfolk tend to appear like ghosts, and morph into walls as they complete their respective patterned walks. In addition, there is some occasional clipping during combat, as fallen enemies don't always lie correctly - at least according to the laws of physics, and also while exploring the various nooks and crannies of each location. Overall, though, the game feels like an extension of the movies, and does a great job of immersing you in Captain Jack's world.
The action is mostly standard platform fare, with you using Captain Jack to punch, kick, run, jump, climb, shoot, and slash your way along the levels. Jack does have some special abilities, though, to help spice up the action. For example, in the right situation, you can use your sword to zip-line down a rope, or to assist in climbing to certain areas and/or preventing a fall. Although it's hardly innovative, crates can be pushed to allow you to gain entry to previously inaccessible places. You can also use various items to accomplish your objectives, like crowbars to open doors, or barrels of gunpowder to blast through barriers or blow up enemies.
The controls are responsive and easy to use. Screen tips pop up showing you which buttons to use to conduct the more complex moves. The only issue is the camera, which can be a bit unpredictable at times, but it’s easy to correct with a flip of the right stick.
Although combat is the main focus of the action, there are also puzzles to solve, places to explore, barriers to overcome, and traps to evade in order to accomplish the objectives for the various levels. Some of the objectives pose a challenge to even experienced gamers, but many are easily achieved. There are also a few secondary objectives for each level, like collecting all seven map pieces or something of the like, that will add to your score and your legend. This also adds some incentive to replay a level, which you can go back and do at any time after completing it to improve your score.
In combat, much like in the Pirates movies, you can really get creative, and you get rewarded for it. It is more than just crossing blades; it's swashbuckling. The more you combine punching and grappling with swordplay, or attacks with various objects lying about, like bottles and knives, the greater your legend becomes and you earn swordsmanship points, which you use to execute special dramatic finishing moves, which are needed to kill level "bosses" or just to add some excitement while fighting the normal stiffs. If you have a pistol, you can shoot enemies as well, or if you really want to string some of these options together, you can pick up a barrel of gunpowder, throw it at a group of enemies, and shoot it as it rolls safely away. As exciting as combat can be, it's really just too easy. After just a few strikes, enemies become "stunned," and turn their backs to you for the kill strike, and although several enemies may attack you at once, they strike infrequently, and a red circle under the attacking pirate or soldier gives the strike away, so it's easy to counter. The only time you really risk getting hit is if an unseen enemy off-screen is ready to attack. Bosses pose a bit more of a challenge, but usually one finishing move ends the battle.
Another aspect of combat, mostly involving level bosses, is dueling. It's a mano-a-mano skirmish that's really more of a turn-based fight than anything else, and like regular combat, it's just too easy to win. Enemies can attack high, low, or thrust. On their "turn," an indicator turns green showing which area they're attacking, and you simply have to move your analog stick in the appropriate direction to counter. Next is your turn and you push the stick in the direction you want to attack, or press "A" for a fancy spin move, while your opponent tries to counter. The reward is that the kill shot usually turns into a cut scene, showing one of Jack's tricks resulting in the final blow, like stomping on a board to hit the opponent in the face, or pointing one direction to make the opponent turn, and then finishing him or her off.
