*We are starting up a whole bunch of new features here at GEN and the newest is Kid Recommendation Wednesday!*
Picking a game for you kids that is age appropriate can be daunting task. Not only do you have to think of the game’s content but also the simplicity of game controls and it’s overall difficulty. Finally the most important factor when picking a game to play with your kids, is this a game that I will actually have fun playing myself?
A game that I highly recommend for families is Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga. Here’s a game that combines two childhood favorites into one Legos and Star Wars, seriously how can you go wrong with that? Extra bonus, you wont have to worry about implanting a Lego into your foot while making a midnight bathroom run.
The game play is as simple as you can get, solve puzzles using your character’s special abilities and take down bad guys with a light saber. Cries for parental assistance in completing a level was non existent. If Hans Solo dies he reappears a few seconds later, losing some Lego studs in the process, but without the need to restart the level. The cut scenes in the game will almost always get a laugh from the kids, their favorite is on Episode VI- The Great Pit of Carkoon with Luke performing gymnastic stunts to avoid going into the pit. The game controls are just as simple there’s no need to remember any special combinations. In fact only a few buttons are needed for which helps cut down on game time frustration.
One of the reason’s this is the perfect family game is the co-op mode. You’re able to pick up a controller hit start and join a level or you can just as easily drop out of the game. Neither action requires a restart of the level, which prevents any “She ruined my game” fights. Co-op also requires teamwork to solve puzzles, any game that requires sisters to be nice to each other wins my support. If they are in the mood for some head to head action they can easily enter the arcade mode to try and take each other down there.
Unlike some of the titles that my girls like to play (Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses) this is game that I actually enjoy playing with them. Any game that is simple enough for my five year old to play and can hold my attention at the same time will always have a place on our collection.
Darth Natalie right after she was caught attempting to take her sister’s hand with a toilet paper roll light saber
February 13th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Lego Star Wars (any incarnation) is an awesome, and I think, highly overlooked game. Not only in it’s playability, but also as an introduction game into video games as a whole. For children, it is not to hard nor easy, and it sense of humor and mild action can keep them entertained for many moments of play. But also for older would be gamers, this title is simple enough to understand and get into. It is how I introduced my wife into gaming genres other than arcade style racing games.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I absolutely LOVE Lego Star Wars!!! I’m addicted, and I love co-op mode!