USA Today Crossword Challenge
SCORE: 75
Normally after playing a video game I have some idea the range a game will rate in. USA Today Crossword Challenge is one of the most unique video games I have played in year. This Nintendo DS cartridge is rated ‘T’ for Teen with Drug Reference being the only descriptor. The difficulty of this hand held video game is so steep that the Teen rating would be a minimum based on that alone. The Drug Reference seems to be slang names for certain drugs. Dope-heads probably won’t play this game, and those who will play this game are going to have trouble knowing what those references are anyways. So their inclusion in the design makes little intelligence to this reviewer. There are hundreds of crossword puzzles in English, and Spanish.
The visual department of USA Today Crossword Challenge is pretty plain Jane. There is nothing wrong with a plain theme, especially when it fits the subject material. I did not find any offensive images, however the game does let the player write offensive words. So if someone unscrupulous gets ahold of this Nintendo DS video game they can exercise that particular deviancy. The hand writing recognition is a nice inclusion and works decently.
The sounds in USA Today Crossword Challenge are also pretty sparse. I would love for there to be all kinds of music to select from, but that is my dream. None of the sounds or music are offensive. Some audio clues would have been welcome, at least in my professional opinion.
The amount of puzzles in both English and Spanish is rather impressive. USA Today Crossword Challenge includes some amazing challenges for those that are into crossword puzzles. That is the one issue for me - the market for this seems niche. Not everyone in the family can play this game because of the cryptic nature of many of the clues. Some layering of clues would have been helpful (editor: additional clues to help solve something when the player is stumped).
I had to go to the instructional manual to figure out how to use certain parts of this DS video game. It would have been nice if there was some better in game instructions. It is easy to put words down in pen, pencil, or to remove letters. USA Today Crossword Challenge is the most challenging puzzle game I have ever played. I found an online website that assisted me with solutions when I was stuck. If you like crossword puzzles you will have fun with USA Today Crossword Challenge.
USA Today Crossword Challenge is one
of those video games that can bring people together. I asked quite a few
different people when I came across clues for assistance. All we talked
about was the game, but it still harbored communication. I do not have a
large problem with the drug reference, but it was not needed in this
game. I would love for that to be removed from sequels.
- Luke
Graphics: 72%
Sound: 71%
Replay/Extras: 80%
Gameplay: 72%
Family Friendly Factor: 82%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Destineer
Rating: 'T' for Teen
{Drug Reference}
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