CSS Library

Reviews

Videos

Sections

Other

News

Latest News

Keeping Kids Safe from Gaming Predators

One of the God given duties to parents is to keep their children safe. There are plenty of dangers kids face on a daily basis. Entertainment is not always a safe haven, or babysitter for our children. Gaming predators will try and devour our kids. We parents need to stop that from happening because the video game industry will not act in our best interests. Here are some easy tips to help keep our kids safe from gaming predators. Parents need to Stay Involved, Have Kids Check With Me, Limit Personal Information, Limit Time, and Read Reviews.

Top Six Characters that Need to Come Out of Retirement

Pato Banton sang a song with UB40 -- Baby Come Back. There are plenty of video game characters who have been retired for one reason or another. Some of them we would like to see again. If absence makes the heart fonder, then I am as fond of these characters as I can be. So please join me as we explore the Top Six Characters that Need to Come Out of Retirement. Maybe just maybe someone out there reading can help bring these characters back. Part Two of this story is your choices for the Top Six Characters that Need to Come Out of Retirement. 

Big Three Embrace Indie Games

The video game industry goes in trends. We have seen a variety of trends over the decades. Numerous companies tried to create an iconic character in 2D side scrolling adventures. The industry went crazy making 2D fighting games. There was a mad rush to create 3D fighting games. Many companies rushed to put out FPS games. Want to know what the latest trend in the video game industry is? Indie Games. Sony is talking about it, Nintendo is talking about, Microsoft is talking about it, and its all over Steam. 

cg-now

Puzzle Kingdoms

 

 

SCORE: 81

 

Puzzle Kingdoms 

 

The creators of Puzzle Quest have now brought us Puzzle Kingdoms. This puzzle game has a medieval storyline involving magic, famine, drought, and a polytheistic belief system. The puzzle action has a grid where blocks are inserted from the sides. All sides allow for entrance, and the screen shows which block will be entering if touched. Make troops, march them on opposing outposts and defeat them.

I appreciated a lot of the artwork in Puzzle Kingdoms. The contrasting colors of the different block types makes this an easy game to play visually. There are some disturbing images, and some female attire that will raise eyebrows. The violence is a much more mild than I was expecting. The monsters found in ruins are hideous.

Puzzle Kingdoms has some quiet music that I found to be enjoyable to listen to. The magical elements made me feel a little uneasy, and I know many of our readers will have a similar reaction. The polytheistic belief system by many of the characters in this game will also be drawn into question. I liked how the main character wanted to help others and questioned the direction adviser's told her to take.

Puzzle Kingdoms has a lot of replay value as long as you enjoy the puzzle action. There are multiple modes that I found to be enjoyable. The tavern mini game is part of the reason this is an E10+ game. Technically it is tavern in name only, but worth a minor mention. Some multi-player modes would have put this section over the top, but none were included.

The strategic game play found in Puzzle Kingdoms is exceptional. I did find it can be random, which means some towers were easier to defeat than others. If you are having problems in a level, just go back to your last save. Which brings up the role playing game concept of saving often. I had fun with Puzzle Kingdoms, and found it to be addictive at times.

Puzzle Kingdoms contains a lot of adult concepts that kids would not understand. Freeing people from oppressive rulers, fighting for what you believe in, and destroying evil are but a few. I would like to see a sequel to this DS game. I previously mentioned I liked how the main character questioned her advisers. I wish he/she would have gone a different direction at times, because he/she would battle reluctantly (but still battle).
-Mark

 

Graphics: 78%
Sound: 72%
Replay/Extras: 86%
Gameplay: 83%
Family Friendly Factor: 76%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Zoo Games
Rating: 'E10+' for
Everyone 10+
{Mild Violence}

Want more info on this product, or the company that made this product?
Set web browser to:

Link

 

Got a question, comment, or a concern regarding this review?
Email them to:
GameReviews@familyfriendlygaming.com