Premise and Gameplay

The game’s premise is simple yet engaging. The Spacefolk are stranded after their planets become uninhabitable, and they are in search of a lovely new home. However, instead of building a permanent structure, you are tasked with creating settlements that can safely move to new locations, should the need arise.

The game offers eight campaign levels, and in each level, you must factor in the Spacefolk’s needs while creating the settlement. If you prefer to build without objectives, there is a sandbox mode available.

Building in VR

Building in Spacefolk City is both fun and intuitive. You can create buildings without any gravitational constraint, as long as they are in range of a power generator. Scrap is required to create buildings, and it’s only available by grabbing asteroids that fly past your settlement with regular frequency. Once plucked from the ether, you simply pull them apart to release the scrap. It is strangely satisfying. The game also includes three different building types that boost worker productivity.

The beauty of Spacefolk is everything just works, moving the camera, grabbing objects and placing items all just work which just makes the whole game more lovable.

Charming Touches

What sets Spacefolk City apart from other city-building games is the charming touches that make it a delight to play. The Spacefolk are not mindless drones, and they gradually get fatigued, so it’s up to you to take care of them. You can decorate each home with specific items to cater to the Spacefolk’s specific interests, such as cakes, gardening, bananas, and more. This adds a layer of fun to the game that is sure to keep you engaged. Theres also a little floating radio and camera should you feel the need for music or a little photo opportunity, it’s very sweet and work well.

Graphics and Soundtrack

Spacefolk City features a vibrant and colorful visual presentation that brings some much-needed color to space. The game’s electronic-themed soundtrack complements your construction work nicely and adds to the game’s overall charm.

The Verdict

I really loved my time with all the little Spacefolk. It’s a charming and creative city-building game that offers a fun and engaging experience. If you’re a fan of the city-building genre, you should definitely give Spacefolk a try. It’s a game that is sure to delight both VR veterans and newcomers alike.

Check it out on the Meta Quest Store at https://lurk.ly/iW_GKr

The post Review: Spacefolk City | Meta Quest VR appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Roblox gameplay involves users creating and customizing their own avatars, exploring virtual worlds and playing games created by other users. The platform offers a wide range of game genres, including adventure, simulation, role-playing, and more. Some of the more popular games on Roblox include Adopt Me, Bloxberg, and MeepCity.

Types of Roblox Games

Roblox offers a wide variety of games to choose from, catering to a range of interests and skill levels. Some popular game genres on the platform include:

Adventure games: These games involve players exploring virtual worlds and completing quests or puzzles. Examples include Adopt Me, which tasks players with caring for and adopting virtual pets, and Bloxburg, which lets players build and manage their own virtual city.

Simulation games: These games allow players to experience everyday life or fantastical scenarios in a virtual world. Examples include MeepCity, which lets players socialize and play mini-games in a virtual city, and Theme Park Tycoon, which tasks players with building and managing their own virtual theme park.

Role-playing games: These games allow players to take on the role of a character and interact with others in a virtual world. Examples include Roleplay World, which lets players explore a medieval fantasy world, and Royale High, which lets players attend a virtual high school and complete quests and challenges.

Roblox In-game Currency – Robux

Roblox uses a virtual currency called Robux, which can be earned through gameplay or purchased with real money. Players can use Robux to purchase in-game items and customization options for their avatar, as well as access premium features and games. Check out some great ways to earn free Robux here.

Roblox Concerns

As with any online platform, there are some common concerns and worries parents may have about their children playing Roblox. Some of these concerns include the potential for online strangers to interact with their children, the amount of time their child spends playing the game, and the potential for in-game purchases to add up.

Roblox Scams

Unfortunately, there are individuals who try to take advantage of other users by scamming them on Roblox. Some common scams to be aware of include phishing scams, game or item scams, friend request scams, and Roblox card scams. To avoid these scams, it’s important for parents to educate their children on how to stay safe online and to be cautious about sharing personal information or making purchases.

The Positive Aspects of Roblox

Despite these concerns, there are many positive aspects to playing Roblox. The platform offers a great deal of freedom and creativity, allowing players to role-play with friends and create their own virtual worlds and games. For younger children, some of the games on Roblox may serve as simpler versions of more complex adult games, such as Five Nights at Freddy’s and Among Us.

Ultimately, whether or not to allow children to play Roblox is a decision for individual parents to make. By educating themselves and their children about the potential risks and how to stay safe online, parents can help

Frequently Asked Questions For Roblox

• What is Roblox and how do I play it?
• How do I create my own Roblox game?
• How do I make Robux (the virtual currency in Roblox)?
• How do I report inappropriate behavior on Roblox?
• How do I keep my child safe while playing Roblox?
• How do I troubleshoot problems with Roblox?

What is Roblox and how do I play it?

Roblox is a online platform that allows users to create and play games, as well as socialize with other players. To play Roblox, you will need to create an account and download the Roblox player. Once you have done that, you can browse and play games, create and publish your own games, and interact with other players on the platform.

How do I create my own Roblox game?

To create your own Roblox game, you will need to use a tool called Roblox Studio. This is a free software that you can download from the Roblox website. With Roblox Studio, you can create and customize your own game using building blocks, scripts, and other assets. You can then publish your game to the Roblox platform for other players to enjoy.

How do I make Robux (the virtual currency in Roblox)?

There are a few ways to earn Robux in Roblox:

• You can purchase Robux with real money through the Roblox website.
• You can sell game passes, which are special in-game items that give players access to exclusive content, for Robux.
• You can sell shirts, pants, and other virtual items in the Roblox catalog for Robux.
• If you are a Roblox developer, you can earn a percentage of the Robux spent on your games through the Developer Exchange program.

How do I report inappropriate behavior on Roblox?

If you encounter inappropriate behavior on Roblox, you can report it by doing the following:

• In the game: Look for the “Report Abuse” button, which is usually located in the game’s menu or settings. Clicking this button will allow you to report the problem to Roblox.
• On the Roblox website: Go to the “Report Abuse” page and follow the instructions to report the problem. You will need to provide the username of the player you are reporting, as well as a description of the inappropriate behavior.

How do I keep my child safe while playing Roblox?

There are a few things you can do to keep your child safe while playing Roblox:

• Set up the parent account controls on the Roblox website to block or restrict certain types of content and communication.
• Encourage your child to use the “Report Abuse” button to report any inappropriate behavior they encounter.
• Talk to your child about online safety and the importance of not sharing personal information with strangers.
• Monitor your child’s playtime and the games they are playing.

How do I troubleshoot problems with Roblox?

If you are experiencing problems with Roblox, here are a few things you can try:

• Restart the Roblox player and try again.
• Check the Roblox website for any known issues or outages.
• Clear your browser cache and cookies.
• Make sure you have the latest version of the Roblox player.
• Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Roblox.

The post Parents Guide To Roblox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Under 12’s

Beat Saber

Beat Saber is the must-have game for VR as it sees players armed with two glowing lightsabers that are used to slice through music blocks in time with the music. The game comes with 10 songs as standard and DLC packs that include around three songs each. There is also a handy editor to create your own beat maps should you want to craft your own. With so many songs to download you will be slicing it up to Baby Shark in no time.

Among Us VR

Among Us VR is a party game of teamwork and betrayal. This VR version of this hit multiplayer game allows 4 – 10 players to complete tasks to hold your ship together whilst One or more random players among the crew are Impostors bent on sabotaging and killing everyone. The cute graphics and cartoon gore match the mobile and console versions so fans of the original game will love the new angle.

Moss & Moss Book 2

Moss and Moss Book 2 are more of your traditional adventure games with added VR elements. You help a brave little mouse called Quill as you’ll both venture deep inside the hexed castle of the Arcane where dangerous terrain, challenging puzzles, and enemies await. Players find themselves moving through the castle and moving items and solving puzzles to help Quill traverse the dangerous castle. Quill is extremely cute and some of the mini-animations will warm your heart.

Job Simulator

Job Simulator VR is a new edition to the list. It is a fun and interactive virtual reality game that’s perfect for children! You’ll be tasked with completing various office duties in different jobs. You might be answering phones, filing paperwork, and making coffee in one but then cooking cleaning and manning the till in others. With the help of your VR headset and controllers, you’ll use your hands to interact with objects around the office, like opening drawers, picking up items, and pressing buttons.

With its engaging gameplay and interactive features, Job Simulator VR is an excellent game for children who love to play role-play.

Rec Room

Rec Room is trying to be the Roblox of VR as it allows players to meet and hang out in a VR space. There are also thousands of ‘rooms’ to explore from simple sports games to scary escape rooms. As the content is always changing, there will need to be regular adult checks to ensure the games are suitable, but overall Rec Room is a great place to create yourself an avatar and spend time with friends. To get you started, I recommend your play Golden Trophy, Among Us RR, and Paintball as they all are good clean(ish) fun.

Richie’s Plank Experience

This is probably the oldest VR game on the list but gave my family the biggest laugh over Christmas as its simple enough for the whole family to try whilst the rest of the family laughed at them. The game is really simple, players walk along a plank high up in the sky and have to do tasks at the end of the plank without falling off. The graphics are super basic and the gameplay is limited, but its one the whole family can try.

Down The Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole is a wonderful mish-mash of ideas and there is nothing quite like it on any platform. This interactive adventure sees you helping Alice in Wonderland in a variety of different ways. The games and puzzles are all different enough and petting the Cheshire Cat is very sweet. Down the Rabbit Home has more in common with an interactive book than a game as you can move around the world and pick your path which always ends up at the hub world with the smoking caterpillar. At a little over two hours, the game is short but varied enough for children to enjoy.

Fruit Ninja VR

The classics never die, they are simply rebooted. Fruit Ninja VR takes the classic air-chopping game from Halfbrick and gives you swords. The new VR perspective allows players to look around and see where all the fruit actually comes from. It turns out that it’s actually two food cannons off-screen that blast you with a mix of fruit and bombs. Players must swipe, chop and dodge the variety of different levels to achieve a high score and beat the rest of the family. A fun family game but keep any ornaments or breakables away from the play area.

12+

Iron man VR

Iron Man VR is a great shooter for Marvel fans. From the moment your Iron Man suit starts attaching itself to your virtual self, you feel like a hero. The story follows you on as you track down Ghost and her army of hacked Dones. Putting your hands behind you fires your rocket boosters whilst using the trigger buttons in front to shoot your hand cannons. The camera is mainly on rails but there is some freedom of movement whilst inside. The graphics are ok and the interactive cut scenes can be a little jarring, but definitely add more depth to the story. Chatting with Nick Fury and Pepper Pots is great but it’s the action sequences that really make this game.

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted is the kind of VR game you need to take a deep breath to prepare yourself before playing. Whilst the original game was a masterclass in suspense, it could be argued that the VR version is now the definitive version as it offers the tensest and most powerful scares you can find in a VR headset. It may be difficult to play for very long before your heart rate spikes and it won’t be for the faint-hearted, but as many older Children already know everything there is to know about FNAF, they would love to try it in VR.

Star Wars: Vader Immortal Trilogy

For Star Wars fans, the Vader Immortal trilogy is a great VR introduction to the Star Wars Universe. The story and graphics are fantastic and meeting Lord Vader for the first time is every bit as nerve-racking as you might expect. The dialogue is well-acted and the detailing on the ships and levels is fantastic. The lightsaber duels are as good as you would hope but work well enough to keep the story moving.

Obviously, there are plenty of other games that look like great fun VR games for children, but I haven’t tried them yet so can’t comment on their quality. Some games that I am hoping to try soon include:

• The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets
• Floor Plan 2
• Zenith: The Last City

What VR games are you considering for your Children, let me know in the comments.

The post Top 10 Meta Quest 2 Games For Children appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

To help you choose a game for your children, I have outlined 25 licensed video games for children out on consoles. I have added a list below in no particular order with jump links to each game or ease of use. Let’s get started.

Xbox Kids Games

• Addams family: Mansion Mayhem
• Hotel Transylvania: Scary Tale Adventures
• Hotel Transylvania 3: Monsters Overboard
• Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure
• Dragons: Dawn of the New Riders
• Ben 10: Power Trip
• Rabbids: Party of Legends
• Paw Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls
• Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom
• Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx
• PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night
• My Friend Peppa Pig
• Ice Age Scats Nutty Adventure
• Jumanji: The Video Game
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge
• DC League of Super Pets
• L.O.L surprise! BBS Born to Travel
• Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway
• JoJo Siwa Worldwide Party
• Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories
• Disney Dreamlight Valley
• Lego Starwars – Skywalker Saga
• Bratz – Flaunt Your Fashion
• Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms

Addams family: Mansion Mayhem

Addams Family is a simple and fun game for the whole family. With four-player couch co-op and easy-to-defeat enemies, young children will have a blast working through the levels either alone or with the rest of the family. The game won’t feel revolutionary for adults playing together and the levels get a bit samey but it’s easy to pick up and play and kids will enjoy the simplicity.

4/5

Hotel Transylvania: Scary Tale Adventures

In Hotel Transylvania: Scary-Tales Adventures, you take control of Drac and Mavis and play through various fairy tale worlds with their own spooky spin. From Little Red Riding Hood to Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves each level is easily recognizable but can take up to half an hour to complete. The game is very repetitive but still fun. However, those under 7’s will struggle and the long levels with no save means you have to commit serious time to complete each level.

3/5

Hotel Transylvania 3: Monsters Overboard

Released alongside the movie, you play Drac and Mavis on a mission to save the other monsters from three desert islands. Using little monster minions called impas, you direct your miniature helpers to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. Overall, the game can be fun at times, but the constant struggles with the controls will frustrate many. For those familiar with Nintendo’s Pikmin, this is a substandard clone.

1/5

Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure

For fans of the TV show and recent movie, Spirit is a happy-go-lucky adventure in a bright and colourful world. After finding her mother’s treasure map, Lucky rides across the world completing a series of quests to unlock new areas and additional outfits. Riding across the open plains is wonderful, but when you are in more confined spaces, the controls become cumbersome and frustrating. Fans of the show will enjoy it but horse fans may get more fun from Horse Club Adventures.

3/5

Dragons: Dawn of the New Riders

This game bravely carves its own path by not following any of the movies, instead, tell a new story about a young rider with amnesia and his new dragon Patch. The gameplay is mainly a dungeon crawler with some simple puzzles. During the periodic combat sequences, the battles are clunky and slow and the ranged attacks from Patch are rarely accurate. The new story was a great idea but doesn’t really go anywhere or add to the Dragons canon.

1/5

Ben 10: Power Trip

There have been two Ben 10 games on this generation’s consoles that actually play very differently. The first game sees Ben 10 in a 3D side-scrolling beat em up whereas Ben 10 Power Trip is more of an open-world adventure. Out of the two, I would recommend Ben 10: Power Trip as it plays really well, has a fantastic open world with plenty of side quests and the two-player split screen means a friend or sibling can play as Ben’s frenemy Kevin 11.

5/5

Rabbids: Party of Legends

Rabbids is a solid Mario party clone with a lot of endearing features. For those not familiar with the party game genre, Rabbids is a game in which 1-4 players compete in various mini-games to earn books and become to ultimate champion. The mini-games are generally longer than those in Mario Party giving players more engagement in each activity. The wheel spin and stealing mechanics for players in last place help keep the playing field level and additional games and Rabbids are unlocked through player progression. It’s really fun with friends in couch co-op but the single-player experience is a little limited.

3/5

Blaze and the Monster Machines

With its big chunky cartoon graphics and wealth of character voices, Blaze and the Moster Machines is a great introductory game to the world of video game racing. The auto drive feature means it is great for children under 7 and the four-player local coop is good for sharing with friends. The different characters are represented well with each having their own special ability from Blaze’s nitro boost to Watts’ electro boost. However, with only 10 standard-looking tracks, the appeal is limited and children more familiar with driving games may want more.

2/5

Paw Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls

There are at least three Paw Patrol games out on consoles, Paw Patrol: On A Roll (terrible), Paw Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay (ok) and Adventure City Calls (better). In short, go for Adventure City Calls as it is the best of the three and has the biggest world to explore. As the movie introduced a new character, this game also has the biggest roster of playable characters, all with voice acting from the characters. The game can be played in local coop with family members and the variety of missions and vehicle levels keep it interesting for young players.

3/5

Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom

Last Kids on Earth is a top-down beat-em-up with light RPG elements. Players can either go it alone or team up with four friends in local co-op mode. The fighting mechanics are solid and don’t feel too repetitive while the upgrade system doesn’t do much apart from increasing bonus points. Single players can switch between the two ranged and two melee-focused characters by using the various phone booths littered across the levels. The graphics match the cartoon series perfectly which much of the audio lifted directly from the show. However, the game is criminally short and can be completed in under 4 hours. Some side quests to help to flesh it out but I would have liked more.

4/5

Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx

Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx has huge ambitions with its fully explorable Paris setting, rooftop parkour, multi-goon fighting mechanics, and two-player action. However, slowdown and graphical issues do break the magic a little. Fans of the show will happily look past these glitches to enjoy a game packed with macaron collecting, hero upgrades, and de-evilizing. The gameplay is generally very forgiving for younger players and the voice and music is absolutely fantastic. Younger players will need help with the six end-of-level bosses when the difficulty really ramps up but the two-player option means that it is a great game to play with your children.

4/5

PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night

With 12 reasonably sized levels, easy and repetitive gameplay, PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night is great for young children who are fans of the show. The voice actors of both the heroes and villian reprised their roles and all contributed original voices for the game. Whilst for some, the constant voice guidance may be annoying, it helps keep young minds focused on the task at hand. Each level plays exactly the same, so whether you are a fan of Gecko, Owlet, or Catboy, each hero gets 33% of each level to climb walls, fly around, or double-jump over difficult obstacles. The vehicle levels break up the platforming action and the controls are so simplistic, it is impossible to go wrong.

4/5

My Friend Peppa Pig

My friend Peppa pig is a great introduction into video games teaching young children about the fun you can create pressing buttons. Right from the start screen players feel like part of a brand-new episode. From the character creation in the beginning to jumping in muddy puddles with Pippa at the end, the game is short, and simple but young fans of the show will be happy to jump back in. Whilst most of the voice acting is done by the cast, there is the new Peppa and a couple of changes that ‘hardcore’ fans of the show will notice but overall it was like Dragons Lair for a newer younger generation.

4/5 for new gamers
2/5 for experienced gamers

Ice Age: Scrats Nutty Adventure

The true hero of the Ice Age saga has finally got his own video game and it sees Scrat platform his way through Ice fields, ice caves, and even a lost world collecting crystal acorns across 12 fun-filled levels. Sadly, the lack of cut scenes, various glitches, and some horrible camera angles mean that it can be both fun and frustrating in the same play-through. Scats Nutty Adventure is mediocre at best and a missed opportunity for a fun character that totally deserves better.

1/5

Jumanji: The Video Game

The video game of a movie about a video game that was a board game in a movie. Jumanji uses the characters and settings of the 2017 film in a third-person shooting/fighting game. Players can team up with four friends in local co-op or play online. Players run and gun through various maze-like levels fighting and shooting goons and natives to collect four pieces of a jewel. Once collected, they move into a safe room before tackling the next level. The game is nothing like the films but it’s simple enough to battle through with friends. Achievements come thick and fast but the gameplay soon becomes repetitive. It’s a bit of fun but don’t expect it to be anything like the films.

2/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a lovingly crafted homage of the TMNT arcade beat-em-up. Its 6-player co-op is fantastic with friends and the gameplay is simple to pick up but with lots to master. The nostalgic pixel aesthetic will resonate with parents as they bash through the whole game in a single sitting with the family. Whilst the level design can get a little samey, the range of characters, fighting mechanics, and fantastic music will keep you playing. A must for any big family looking for a game everyone can play.

5/5

DC League of Super Pets

DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace might will not be the game you expect as it involves Krypto and Ace flying through Metropolis is a star-fox-inspired shoot-em-up. Using Krypto’s eye lasers and Ace’s batarangs, the two fly through 15 levels trying to save the city’s lost pets from the evil Lex Luthor. The graphics look great and calling upon PB (Wonder Woman’s pig), Merton (Flash’s tortoise) or Chip (Green Lantern’s cat) is great. Sadly, the lack of enemy variety, repetitive level design (it’s always Metropolis), and hard-to-handle controls mean that only super fans of the movie need apply.

2/5

L.O.L surprise! BBS Born to Travel

The LOL game is a lightweight version of Overcooked as it sees the Dolls packing and making the L.O.L balls that the toys usually come in. By using the right mix of sunshine, stars, and hearts, you fill each complicated little ball before sending them out into the world. The intricate recipes are complicated for the target age group but the lack of a time limit does make it easier. Up to four players can team up to work through the various levels that get more and more complicated with lifts and platforms. Players unlock new dolls and accessories and can update their character throughout. The music and fashion mini-games between levels add a little more to the mix but feel bolted on compared to the main game. Fans of the dolls may need parental help to complete but it’s interesting enough when playing with friends.

3/5

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway

If Mario Kart holds the top spot when it comes to Kart Racers, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway is definitely second place. With over 40 characters, tonnes of weapons, hundreds of unlockables, and a massive variety of tracks, Slime Speedway actually outperforms Mario Kart in all but one department: accessibility. The sheer wealth of options can mean jumping into a multiplayer game is not a quick affair. These options are fantastic in the single-player mode, but when you want to do a four-player couch co-op or 12-player online play, there are so many choices. For Xbox owners, Slime Speedway is the best kart racer on the platform.

5/5

JoJo Siwa Worldwide Party

Don’t let the name fool you. This is not a party game, instead, Jo Jo Siwa Worldwide Party is a mix of an endless runner with a rhythm game. Jo Jo runs across 12 levels jumping, sliding, and bashing her way through 4 of her big hits. Jumps and bashes need to be in time with the music to keep your speed and unlock bonus items. In between each song you can unlock makeup, clothes, and obviously bows to enhance your character. Whilst the game is quite fun, it feels stretched out to make a full game. The 4 songs have 4 variations from instrumental to full-blown concert variations, but it would have been nice to have a few more songs. With no multiplayer and limited appeal, this one is only for the fans.

1/5

Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories

Horse Club Adventures 2 is an open-world horse riding game based on the popular toys from Schleich. Players can create their own horse and take part in an array of horse-related disciplines from dressage to show jumping. Players are given tasks by the inhabitants of Hazelwood that include working on the farm to taking photographs of local wildlife. You will need to feed and clean your horse throughout and unlock new gear to enhance the speed, endurance and agility of your pony. Some riders may be annoyed by the invisible barriers in the ‘open world’ but with lots to do and no pressures, this is a fantastic game for pony fans.

4/5

Disney Dreamlight Valley

Disney Dreamlight Valley takes the tried and tested formulas of Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing and sprinkles on some Disney Magic. After moving to the valley, Players must befriend and help the various inhabitants with quests, errands, and tasks. From mining valuable resources to simply having a picnic with Mickey to cheer him up, there is so much here for Disney fans to enjoy. The graphics and voice acting are fantastic and there is new content being added regularly. Sadly, there is a lot of grinding to be done to earn the in-game currency and lots of microtransactions such you want to skip the grind.

5/5

Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a mammoth beat of a game with over 300 characters, 45 levels, and over 1000 collectibles, this game will keep players busy for a very long time. Add to that the various DLC packs for The Madolorian and Rogue One and you have a game that is fantastic value for money. The graphics are the best yet in a Lego game and it uses all the iconic music and sound found in the nine movies. Some levels are more memorable than others and those that have played any of the previous Lego Star Wars games will recognize many of the levels. but with improved graphics and gameplay, this is one not to be missed.

5/5

Bratz – Flaunt Your Fashion

Play as your favorite Bratz character and begin your globe-trotting adventure to become the world’s best fashion reporter. Blaze a trail as you chase the biggest style stories, take on quests to help new friends, and play various minigames in order to unlock the latest scoop for Bratz Magazine. The in-game currency can be used for new outfits, characters, and even scooters. The semi-open world is fun to run however many of the characters just stand in one place waiting to be talked to making it feel a little static. However, the variety of activities and the solid voice acting make this a great all-rounder for fans of the show.

4/5

Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms is a dragon-focused adventure that is equal parts combat and exploration. The journey takes you across five worlds, each with five levels (the last level per world being a boss battle with a dragon many times your size). The vibrant and chunky levels are fun to explore and fly around and switching between the different dragons like Wu and Wei when Skrills appeared, or Thunder for some of the larger dragons is easy enough. Collectibles allow you to purchase character upgrades such as new combos and new skins and whilst it annoyingly has no two-player option, it’s fun to play and easy for children to complete.

3/5

So there you have it, 25 licensed Xbox games for children. With a handful of 5/5 titles in the mix your kids can enjoy exploring, driving, or fighting on the mighty Xbox. Which games do your children play the most on Xbox? Leave your comments below.

The post Licensed Xbox Games for Kids 2022/23 appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Moving Out

Moving out is a frantic four-player party game that sees a crew of movers empty the content of a house into the moving truck. Not only is it great fun throwing lamps out of the window or teaming up to tackle the heavy fridge but there is a level of skill involved as you need to ensure everything actually fits in the van. The game has the same colourful cartoon graphics as Overcooked and is just as fun.

Catastronauts

This sci-fi-themed panic fest sees up to 4 players form a crew of a small ship in the midst of a battle. Players must prime the laser cannons, fox the cracks, put out fires, and depose teleported in mines. The game is frantic fun but wickedly hard and requires teamwork and patience to work through the difficult levels. The characters can be customised into various star-trek-inspired tropes such as green-skinned aliens, cyborgs, or geek-like humans.

Gang Beasts

Set in the mean streets of Beef City, Gang Beasts is a crazy multiplayer party game with jelly-baby-style characters and slapstick fight sequences all set in ridiculously hazardous environments. The objective is simple; knock your opponent to the ground and push or throw them out of the arena. If you are the last jelly baby standing, you win. But the fact that each character controls like a drunken toddler means it never always goes to plan.

Minecraft

Beginners to Minecraft tend to see the game as a mining and building game in which you can create anything you can imagine out of the multitude of block types. Others see it as a survival game in which you test your might against the elements to gather, craft, and build. But many are surprised to hear that there are games upon games in which four or more people can team or go head to head in an array of party games. From gladiatorial arenas to a full-on Hunger Games experience.

Big Crown Showdown

Four brave knights have been pulled away from the kingdom they once protected into a time vortex by an evil wizard. Returned 100 years later, they are dropped into a zany medieval game show and forced to compete to the death. Players must run, jump and push all whilst avoiding a multitude of traps, gaps, and enemies. The first to cross the finish line is crowned the ultimate Victor.

Marooners

Imagine playing a party game in which someone changes the game mid-action and then later returns to the game five games later. It is like Mario Party: Channel Surfer Edition. One minute you will be dodging falling boulders before being transported to a temple in which the ground is falling away. Each game plays out until there is a winner, but you only play a few seconds at one time before moving to the next game. Once all games have a winner, the overall winner is crowned. It’s mad and fun and a great game for the whole family.

Out of Space

Get together with friends and family, grab a mop and bucket and clean up an alien-infested space station. Out of Space is a sweet couch co-op game that sees players move from room to room, cleaning up, decorating, adding power, and recycling the alien vermin. station sizes grow as you progress and the array of different tools, furniture, and machine all serve a purpose from a shower that gives you water or washes the alien slime off your character, to a TV that gives you discounts off the latest bug-busting tools. The addition of a dog bed and dog is also a nice touch.

I love playing party games with family and friends and have lost many hours to the games above. If Overcooked is too stressful or if you need a break from restaurant life, the above games are different enough to be fresh but still hit the same notes as Overcooked.

The post Seven Similar Multiplayer Games For You Overcooked Fans appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

There are plenty of games out there that young female gamers would love, due to their positive representation of women, a really fun story, or gameplay. Having played games with my two daughters over the past 12 years, these are only recommendations. Having seen a lot of website traffic to a different article titled little girls in video games, this is more of a game development article about narrative devices to connect to the player and NOT about games for girls. In an attempt to give those readers who are looking for recommendations, here are some titles that are great for girl gamers.

Horse Club Adventures

Horse Club Adventures is one of many horse games available and is a vibrant open world in which players enjoy a long vacation riding horses and completing a variety of tasks. At first, players create their character and horse (no male characters) from a very limited collection and then are given a multitude of fetch and delivery quests across the huge open world. With well over 12 hours of gameplay and an array of costumes and accessories to unlock throughout the game. My daughters enjoyed personalising their horse and character.

Shantae Series

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is the fourth adventure for Shantae and was featured in my round-up of Children’s games. It’s beautiful high-definition cartoon graphics and a strong female lead character, Shantae can hit enemies with her hair and use her genie powers to change into a plethora of different animals from tower climbing monkeys to deep diving crabs.

Kingdom Hearts

Another RPG with about as many female fans as male fans, Kingdom Hearts brings together the style of classic Square Enix RPGs with Disney characters. Not to say every girl loves Disney, but it’s sort of hard to resist a game with Mickey in it.

Minecraft

Minecraft is a fantastic sandbox that allows all children to build, create and make up their own adventures. whether they want to build and run their own stable or explore the Frozen castle with Elsa, the game is huge and there will be something for everyone’s tastes.

Overcooked / Moving Out / Out of Space

I loved playing multiplayer games with my girls. Whether you want to run a restaurant, empty houses of their belonging or clean up a dirty space station, there are a variety of fun multiplayer games worth diving into with your children.

Disney Rush

Originally out on Xbox 360, this game is backward compatible and has to be up there as one of my TOP games for children. It’s full of different games, and colorful characters and it’s impossible to die.

Summer in Mara

In Summer in Mara players look after their own island, harvest crops, create tools and buildings, and sail around to discover new islands and secrets. The controls are easy enough to use, from gathering apples to mining stones in the caves, but its the story that will keep you playing. The little girl in the game finds herself alone on the island and it’s only through flashbacks you piece together why.

My Time In Portia

Set up shop and become part of the community in this sweet adventure game. You can choose to level up your fighting skills or simply make furniture. There are lots of options to choose from and little direction from the game as to which route to take. This refreshing game style means you can take the game at your own pace and make up your own story. For more details, check out my review of My Time in Portia.

Roblox

The one worried me at first and for good reason. The fact that it is online and there are scams, I was very hesitant to let my children on. However, the lockdown meant that I was looking for new places for my children to play. They both love Roblox and have played obstacle courses, races, horse games and many more. It has also cost me a lot buying Robux, the in-game currency. But make sure you check out my Parents Guide To Roblox to ensure that you know what to educate your children on first.

The Lego Games

From Harry Potter to The Incredibles, these titles should be obvious. The Lego games are easy to pick up and play and have lots to do when playing. The on-screen multiplayer means they can play with friends or even parents.

When they are older…

Hello Neighbor

My girls love this game. It is a ‘horror’ game for children as you play a child who must get into a neighbor’s house after hearing something suspicious. However, the clever neighbor is patrolling his house and you have to avoid being caught. It is very intense, but fun and my children go a little crazy during each game.

Fortnight

For the most part, Fortnight for children is a big game of ‘hide and seek’. 50 players drop onto an island and you have to be the last one standing. You can drive cars, build forts, and generally roam the island. There is gunplay when you meet other players but it’s not the main part of the game.  Player can ‘squad up’ and play solo, in two, threes or fours meaning friends can play together either on the couch or online.

The Walking Dead

Yes, believe it or not, The Walking Dead game that came out last year is a great choice for women. In fact, I know a handful of girls who love the game. Though sure there are zombies and gore, there are also making tough decisions, great characterization, a compelling story and more emotion behind it than almost any game to date. It’s worth it for any girl gamer to pick up.

Mass Effect Trilogy

Mass Effect is one of many games where people can choose to have a female main character, but it sets itself apart because unlike other female characters in RPGs, there’s actual character and substance to the female Shepard. In fact, Bioware designed a specific “FemShep” before Mass Effect 3 was released, using her in alternate trailers and creating an awesome fanbase around her. The games themselves are fantastic but girls will love to play a character that has staying power.

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There are not many games that start with you using a stick and rock to make a rudimentary axe and end with you creating a civilization of people who are able to transcend the physical realm. But somehow, that is exactly what you do in Autonauts. The story is simple, you land on an earth-like planet and through the various tutorials, you start to forage and build. However, the first thing you build is a robot to help with the many tasks. The more tasks, the more robots you need. Before you know it you have created armies of bots that are planting trees, chopping trees, creating boards, poles, wheels, cogs and so much more. Once you have the building mastered, it’s time to create some people, but these people need food, services and so much more. The scope of the game is massive but without being too off-putting.

Coding is at the heart of Autonauts, as each robot needs a set of instructions from which to follow. Each time you build a robot you give it a name and a purpose. Through the use of a code block, similar to that of Scratch; a coding engine used by children at school. You simply act out what you want the robot to do to build up the program. Once completed, you wrap the instruction in a forever loop and off they go working their little circuits off.

As your knowledge increases, further blueprints are unlocked, starting with simple storage units, wheels, and cogs. This then builds up to include vehicles, buildings, and later factories. The more your colony demands, the more resources you need to find until you have spread yourself across the map with industrial areas, farming services, food production, and R&D.

Whilst I am totally besotted with Autonauts, it’s not without its niggles. The first area of frustration is the longevity of the tools. Digging, chopping, and banging all take their toll on the tools and you may find yourself running around replacing tools until you figure out the code for ‘when hands are empty’. This can distract you from the task at hand and you find yourself juggling the needs of multiple robots. The second frustration that is dealt with by level three is the limited memory space of the first generation of robots. The initial robots can handle about one task. Go to an area, do a task, repeat. If you want them to perform a task, pick up an item and then add it to a storage unit, then repeat, it becomes too much for their first-gen brains. Thankfully, this is remedied in later levels but make frustrates new players (especially those with coding experience).

The graphics are very cute and simple and use some eye-bleeding colours to create a friendly world of voxel-style characters. Players can tweak the look of their character with a selection of hats and outfits. The ambient music is pleasant and forgettable (thankfully as you will hear it a lot) and the array of blips and boops work well with the child-like UI elements. However, the UI can be cumbersome as it needs to handle three different menus. The right menu is your tasks, the bottom menu is your character and the left menu is your blueprints. Moving between them can be clunky sometimes and you will find yourself adding ‘move to’ code in your robots when you accidentally click on the code area.

Overall, Autonauts is a triumph. It brings together fun and education and gives players a rich experience of world-building from stone-age tools, through steam-powered trains, and finally human transcendence. It uses a Mincraft-style game to introduce players to coding in an accessible way. Due to its massive scope, it is not without its frustrations. There is a lot to learn, growth can sometimes be slow and the UI can be difficult to use with a controller. But for those with patience and foresight to see the end goal, it is fantastic. For those who can’t wait, the extensive creative mode has everything unlocked from the start and players build train sets, go fishing, or tend to their farm. Autonauts is creative, and fun and offers players endless opportunities.

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One of those companies is Toca Boca, developer of the Toca Life World and the Toca franchise. Since 2011, Toca Boca has been producing some of the best educational apps for kids. Today, Toca Life World is by far their biggest app that binds together all the entries in the Toca Life series.

What is Toca Life World?

Toca Life World is a “mega-app” that houses all the applications in the Toca Life franchise. The app serves as a platform packed with various tools that kids can interact with. In this app, kids can create cities, build houses, decorate interiors, create custom avatars, and side characters. It does not feature an immersive storyline or narrative, instead, it provides players with the equipment needed to forge a story of their own. In other words, Toca Life World is focused on the enhancement of the creativity of its users. Toca Life World is available for both iOS and Android devices.

What are the main features of Toca Life World?

• Create and customize characters
• Build and decorate homes
• Explore different locations
• Play mini-games
• Share your creations with friends

Promoting Creative Learning to Little Kids

In 2021, the Journal of Children and Media published a study called “How educational are “educational” apps for young children?” of which Toca Life World received an 8/10 score based on the apps’ influence on the four pillars of learning (Active Learning, Engagement in the Learning Process, Meaningful Learning, and Social interaction). In the same year, the game app also bagged the Best iPhone App award making it one of the few kids’ games to ever receive such recognition. Toca Life World currently boasts over 125 million installs with over 2.5 million five-star ratings on the Android platform alone.

So, Is Toca Life World appropriate for children?

Yes, Toca Life World is a game designed for children and is considered to be a safe and kid-friendly app.

A Safe Digital World for Kids

One of the best elements of Toca Life World is that it does not come with an internet browser. This means that kids will be safe from the dangers of the internet. Think of it as a wholesome bubble packed with enough educational tools and knick-knacks to keep a curious kid busy for hours.

Record The Action

A surprising, yet fun side of Toca World is the ability to record the action on screen to make your own short cartoons. These have led to some creative storytelling and the ability to voice the thoughts of young people. Whether the characters are talking about issues at the coffee shop or telling jokes in the park, children are able to record the voices of the characters and either make-believe or talk about real-world issues.

Sharing Your World

Many people ask if Toca Life World is a single-player or multiplayer game. Toca Life World is primarily a single-player game, but it does allow players to share their creations with friends.

But There Are Micro-Transactions

It’s worth noting that there are plenty of things to buy. Whether you want to unlock the school, certain outfits, or have a new avatar generator, there is plenty to buy. Whilst, you do not need them to enjoy the game, players soon want the new locations, items, and add-ons.

To that end, if you are one of those parents who have yet to discover Toca Life World online, then you should get this application today. The best part is that you can get this application free of charge and that by itself is a no-brainer.

Main concerns around Toca Life World

There are a few concerns that parents and players should be aware of. Whilst some are mentioned above, I have summarized the main concerns below.

1. In-app purchases: Toca Life World is a paid app, but it also offers in-app purchases that can add up quickly. Parents should monitor their child’s spending and set up parental controls to prevent accidental purchases.
2. Online sharing: Toca Life World allows players to share their creations with friends online. While this can be a fun way to play and interact with others, there are concerns about online safety and privacy.
3. Advertising: The app contains ads, which can be disruptive and may not be appropriate for all children.
4. Time management: As with any mobile game, Toca Life World can be addictive and may lead to excessive screen time. Parents should set limits on the amount of time their child is allowed to play the game.
5. Limited content: Some players have complained that the game has limited content and that the additional locations and items that can be unlocked through in-app purchases are too expensive.

As a general rule, parents should always monitor their child’s use of mobile apps and games, and be aware of any potential concerns or risks.

Other Handy Guides For Parents:

• Parent’s Guide to Minecraft
• Parent’s Guide to Roblox
• Xbox Games For Children
• VR Games For Children

The post Toca Life World – The New Online Space for Kids appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Summer in Mara Review | Xbox

‘Summer in Mara’ is a beautiful adventure with farming, crafting, and exploring mechanics set in a tropical archipelago. You play Koa, a young girl rescued as a baby from a storm at sea by a kindly island caretaker. Koa grows up on the island learning about the subtle balance between herself and the Island. When Koa’s new mother disappears, she must venture beyond the island to find her. The game starts with some beautiful cut scenes and a tutorial level to get the players used to the various controls and mechanics. Once ready, the game introduces sailing, as you must travel between the islands to solve the mystery and repair your home island.

As the adventure expands to the other islands, Koa has to do A LOT of fetch quests. To speak to someone in a lighthouse, you need to talk to a fisherman, but the fisherman won’t talk to you unless you give him a rod. To get a rod you need twine and a stick. To get twine you need to buy seeds to grow the plant, to grow the plant you have to go back to your island plant the seeds, and wait two days. When you have the twine and the correctly prepared wood, you can craft the rod. Once you give him the rod, he tells you to talk to someone else… It was a little like an episode of The Mandalorian.

I don’t mind fetch quests, I grew up with all the Dizzy games, so I am used to getting objects to pass through a level. However, modern games are much bigger and now use marker systems, detailed diary entries and maps to make the quest clear. Features that Mara sorely lacks. And as this is targeted at children, this really should be simpler. Maps are rudimentary and there are no direction arrows or marker system to show the player where to go meaning you spend a lot of time wandering around for no reason.

I really wanted to love this game and if I had the time to immerse myself in it and learn everything about the maps and islands, I might have loved it more, but the lack of instruction meant I kept getting lost and frustrated (even using YouTube to solve simple quests).

Whilst searching, I did find that other gamers were having issues with sailing but this wasn’t the case for me and it looked like recent patches have fixed these launch issues.

The whimsical story is lovely, the array of beautifully drawn characters are amazing and the eye-bleeding vibrancy of the islands is wonderful, but fiddly trading mechanics, translation niggles and lack of direction will frustrate many gamers. And yet, there is so much love in this game from the 40+ interactive characters, the crabs with personal messages from the fans, and the animated cuts scenes that draw you into this deep and colorful world.

As most of the dialogue is through text and not speech, young players may struggle. This is also exacerbated by some shoddy translations.

Overall, ‘Summer in Mara’ is a calm, relaxing world, with a handmade look and an exciting narrative. The various mechanics are easy to use and players will lose themselves in this beautiful world in more ways than one. Wayfinding frustrations and clunky trading mechanics taint an otherwise fun adventure packed full of heartwarming lessons about nature, and our place in it. This is a lovely game and I would welcome many more in this vein, but when designing xbox games for children, studios do need extra consideration on character audio and clear direction to further a player’s enjoyment.

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But there is also a darkness in people that enjoy seeing happy situations trashed by the weather. And it is precisely this sentiment that Unbound Studios have tapped into for their new game ‘Rain on Your Parade’ as you play a mischievous cloud intent of using its watery gift in a variety of amusing and sometimes life-threatening situations. But is Rain on Your Parade a wet weekend or glorious day of sunshine in the indie space. Here’s my review of Rain on Your Parade.

Rain on Your Parade Review On Xbox

Games like Rain on Your Parade are the reason I love the indie gaming scene. The concept and creativity are fantastic and you can almost picture the game jam that this idea was born from. Taking a common phrase and turning it into a game is bold brave and a little crazy – but I love it!

The single-player story of Rain follows the tale of Cloudy, a little cloud facing the evil Doctor Dryspell through an array of imaginative levels. The story is told through a mix of a bedtime story alongside a handful of smaller cutscenes. Whilst I suspect the story was ‘tacked’ on after they created the mechanics, it serves as a useful way to add additional challenges as well as explain additional skills and abilities.

The main characters dotted around the world are 2D, but mounted on thin cardboard giving them a Paper Mario style look. The world is 3D and populated with 3D characters that look like a mix of Nintendo Mii’s and Sack boys.

Throughout the game, you will need to work your way through 50 fun-filled levels from wedding days to dark, atmospheric levels that have you scaring people more than soaking them.

The levels are as creative as the concept with myriad pop culture references to look out for. My favorite nod had to go to The Office level that sees you start as an intern making coffee to eventually starting a fire.

Each level has a series of mini-tasks to work through and completing them unlocks a multitude of cosmetic items such as hats and guitars to customize your cloud’s look. As the game progresses players gain powers such as snow and tornado powers which don’t add much to the game but are fun to use nonetheless.

The Dressing Room is a fantastic addition as it allows players to draw their own faces on the cloud adding another level of personalization. I started life as a bomb-carrying pirate and ended as a chainsaw-wielding Jason Vorhees (drawn, not included).

The music changes to reflect the level, but also to help users get the references to other games. Whilst I liked this fact, the overall soundtrack was a little mundane. However, there are Lots of achievements that are pretty easy to obtain so the short playtime is rewarded regularly which keeps you playing.

The game lasts for around 3-4 hours for younger players, whilst hardcore gamers could finish it faster. The simple controls and lack of camera controls meant younger players can pick this game up pretty easily and both my daughters could jump in quickly and work through the game on their own.

Overall, the originality of the game should be applauded, as the concept is unique and it’s a huge leap away from your standard shooters or platformers. The graphics are cute and the meta-references are amusing, however, the music is forgettable. The game may be completed quickly, but it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The new game+ mode does increase its playtime, but after a few hours, you’ll have had your fill. Whilst indie gamers will thoroughly enjoy it, younger gamers may find it a useful introduction to the 16 button controller, as controls are limited to begin with but grow throughout the game. If you are looking for an indie gem that shows how game jams can give birth to fun mini-games, look no further than Rain on Your Parade.

Xbox Achievements Guide For Rain on Your Parade

Rain on Your Parade is very generous with its achievements, with many being given out for simply progressing through the levels. As such, I wanted to add to this review by adding a helpful achievement guide for new players. Here’s a list of all the Xbox achievements for the game Rain on Your Parade, alongside a quick description on how to obtain them:

1. Cloudy with a Chance of Sunshine: Complete the tutorial.

• To obtain this achievement, simply complete the game’s tutorial at the beginning of the game.

2. Welcome to the Jungle: Complete the Jungle level.

• Complete all objectives in the Jungle level to unlock this achievement.

3. Blast from the Past: Complete the 90s level.

• Complete all objectives in the 90s level to unlock this achievement.

4. Rollin’ in the Deep: Complete the Ocean level.

• Complete all objectives in the Ocean level to unlock this achievement.

5. Rain on Their Parade: Complete the City level.

• Complete all objectives in the City level to unlock this achievement.

6. Attack of the Humans: Complete the Robot level.

• Complete all objectives in the Robot level to unlock this achievement.

7. Bring on the Mayhem: Complete the Carnival level.

• Complete all objectives in the Carnival level to unlock this achievement.

8. Science Rules!: Complete the Lab level.

• Complete all objectives in the Lab level to unlock this achievement.

9. Snow Problem: Complete the Winter level.

• Complete all objectives in the Winter level to unlock this achievement.

10. Master of Disguise: Collect all disguises.

• Collect all the different disguises in the game to unlock this achievement.

11. A Little Dab’ll Do Ya: Paint 500 objects.

• Paint 500 different objects in the game to unlock this achievement.

12. Cloud Collector: Collect all cloud types.

• Collect all the different types of clouds in the game to unlock this achievement.

13. Good Clean Fun: Wash 500 objects.

• Wash 500 different objects in the game to unlock this achievement.

14. I’m Melting!: Melt 500 objects.

• Melt 500 different objects in the game to unlock this achievement.

15. No More Rain: Complete the game.

• Complete all objectives in all levels and finish the game to unlock this achievement.

I hope this helps!

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Nowadays there are paid games, free games and game demos. Whilst the game demos are pretty self-explanatory, it’s the free games that are confusing. Free games on mobiles tend to come loaded with adverts or stop every five seconds to try and sell you an upgrade. Free games on consoles encourage you to upgrade your skin, buy a cosmetic item or use real-world money to buy in-game currency. Free very rarely means free.

As such, I wanted to gather together a few websites that offer a selection of great games for children. Whilst the likes of NewGrounds, Kongregate, and Armor Games do have a huge selection of games, it can be like Wild West and you might find a zombie game next to a pony game.

Plays.Org

Plays.org is a relatively new site and currently has around 100 games from colourful ball matching games to addictive aircraft landing games. The games are 2D, non-branded and use clean simple graphics so should appeal to a variety of ages.

BBC Bitesize

For fans of the BBC, you can’t go wrong with BBC Bitesize. Whether you are casting spells on a Worst Witch game or battling evil on Danger Mouse, you will find all your favourite characters here. The selection is not huge but there is a great variety of games and they have all been vetted and approved by the BBC.

Cartoon Network Games

Me and my kids are massive fans of Teen Titans, Ben 10 and DC Super Hero Girls, so the game selection on Cartoon Network Games is perfect. Obviously, everything here is fully branded and you might find a few fighting games in the mix, but the violence is cartoon styled and there is no blood or gore.

Nickelodeon Games

Very similar to Cartoon Network but with SpongeBob, Loud House, and Winx Club. Nickelodeon Games has a nice variety from simple coloring games to kart racers. The games are fun, but it’s worth noting that you may find the odd “adver-game” and find yourself flying a super Capri Sun instead of your favorite cartoon character.

Itch.io

My last suggestion is Itch.io and contains myriad game styles from talking stories to 3D street racing. There is a treasure trove of games that go beyond the standard game types that you are used to. The only issue here is that it can get unregulated and some games do require you to download them. However, you might be Bernie Sanders in an 8-bit Mario Style game one minute and then sailing the seven seas delivering packages in a fully realized 3D adventure the next. For those looking for a career in game development, the sheer variety will help get the creative juices flowing.

I hope this has been useful and if there is any site that you would like to see added to the list, please do not hesitate to get in touch

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Unicorn Princess Review on Xbox

Unicorn Princess is a simple fetch quest game that sees Leila, a young girl, with no backstory and plenty of time on her hands, run errands for the handful of people around the map. This is achieved by riding to markers around the world to trigger quests. Whether you are searching for lost rabbits or delivering messages, most of the game will have you finding things or racing around. However, at various points in the game, you will be called to the ethereal Dream World in which you meet and ride Unica the rainbow-haired unicorn. The Dream World is in trouble, as its guardian has lost its three powerful magical items. Throughout your adventures, you will be tasked with finding a sword, shield, and helmet. These items are not only scattered around the map, but there are many fake items dotted around to distract you.

When you are not on fetch quests you can grow your stables to include a variety of horses. Each horse needs to be washed and brushed and each hove needs to be de-stoned to ensure the horse’s well-being. The quests earn money for you to expand your range of horses, tack, and saddles. Alternatively, you can use it to update your wardrobe. However, when in the Dream World you start out in a new pink dress.

To mix up the quests there are also ring races that need to be won. In these races, you must ride around a series of gates collecting certain coloured rings. The correct colour will increase the counter and an incorrect ring will decrease it.

By modern standards, the graphics are just about “passable”, instead of swaying from side to side, the grass actually moves from side to side (root and all), the models are basic and could have been bought from the unity asset store, the voice acting is wooden, but works and the controls, whilst a little clunky could have been worse. The game really is the minimum viable product, but ultimately, my daughter played it for three days straight to complete all the quests and beat the game. About 4-6 hours in total for an eight-year-old.

Local multiplayer would have been a fantastic addition to this game, as both children could have ridden around together, making up stories, sharing fetch quests, and looking after their ever-growing stable. Sadly, the game is quite limited in its replayability as all you can do is start the game again by buying different items.

Unicorn Princess, Is it Worth It?

On Steam, this game sells for £15, as there are plenty of Princess and horse riding games to choose from. However, on Xbox, it’s £35 £25 as it stands practically alone within the genre. Yet the game made my daughters very happy for a week, and there are a limited number of harmless games for children, so they both worked their way through the single-player campaign, and in the end, it was worth it.

For more horse games on Xbox, take a look at my dedicated article/video here.

Common questions about Unicorn Princess on Xbox.

I’d like to answer some common questions I get asked on social media about the “Unicorn Princess” game on Xbox:

1. What is the premise of Unicorn Princess?
   “Unicorn Princess” is a charming, magical adventure game where players take on the role of the titular Unicorn Princess and embark on a journey to save her kingdom from an evil force.
2. What are the gameplay mechanics?
   The game features a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and exploration, with players controlling the Unicorn Princess as she makes her way through various environments, using her magical abilities to defeat enemies and overcome obstacles.
3. Is it suitable for all ages?
   Yes, “Unicorn Princess” is suitable for all ages, with its bright, colorful graphics and whimsical story making it appealing to players of all ages.
4. How many levels or worlds does it have?
   The game has a total of 5 levels or worlds, each with its own unique look and challenges.
5. What is the game’s story about?
   The story follows the Unicorn Princess as she sets out on a quest to save her kingdom from an evil force that threatens to destroy it. Along the way, she meets a cast of memorable characters and discovers the true power of friendship and determination.
6. How does the player control the unicorn princess?
   The player controls the Unicorn Princess using a combination of the joystick and buttons on the Xbox controller. Players can run, jump, and use her magic abilities to defeat enemies and solve puzzles.
7. What are the graphics and sound like?
   The graphics in “Unicorn Princess” are bright and colorful, with detailed environments and characters that bring the world to life. The sound design is equally impressive, with a whimsical score that complements the game’s magical atmosphere.
8. Is there multiplayer functionality in Unicorn Princess?
   No, “Unicorn Princess” is a single-player experience.
9. Are there any DLC or expansions available?
   Not at this time, but the developers have indicated that they are considering additional content in the future.
10. Are there any cheat codes or secrets in Unicorn Princess?
    Yes, there are several cheat codes and secrets hidden throughout the game, offering players the opportunity to unlock new abilities, bonuses, and other rewards. These can be found by exploring the world and experimenting with different actions and inputs.

If you have any questions about Unicorn Princess, please add them in the comments below.

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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Mega Battle – Broken

With the new Powers Rangers movie hitting cinemas, releasing a 2D side-scrolling beat-em-up to cash in on the buzz seemed like a fantastic idea. However, the end result was a cheap and nasty rush job that was not only full of bugs. but had the same 30 second sound loop played throughout the whole game. I had hoped this would be good, but I was sorely let down.

Ben 10 – Short

Ben 10 is 3D action brawler based on the latest Cartoon Network version of the franchise. The visuals are great and the gameplay does the job. There are 10 aliens to use but seven are locked from the beginning and are simply given to you when you need their particular ability. The cutscenes work well and the special moves do break up the button-mashing. However, the biggest gripe has to be the longevity as it has six stages and only three boss battles, meaning the game can be completed in two hours. It would have been nice to see Gwen 10 as a secondary player so children can at least play together. Sadly, this game is too short to warrant the high price tag.

Winx Club: Alfea Butterflix Adventure – In-App Purchases

The low price of £7.99 is instantly appealing when looking for a game for your children, but be warned this is more akin to an iPad app than a console game. The game is littered with in-app purchases asking players to pay twice the games price tag for a pack of diamonds that can be used to unlock clothes and collectable cards. At the low price, I was happy to ignore the PS2 style graphics and even forgive the bugs and clipping when the player touches doors and walls, but once you hit the ‘in-app’ purchases, all respect and patience for the game disappears.

Disney Rush – Excellent!

I love this game on SO many levels. Disney Rush is based on the Pixar movies including; The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Cars. Whilst the games do not follow the story of the films, they actually do so much more. The beautiful premise of Rush is that you are a child playing in a park with other children, when you select a level to play, you are essentially playing a make-believe game with one of the children in the park. You will find yourself escaping an Omnidroid factory with The Incredibles, Chasing the house in Up or preparing for the Piston Cup in Cars. The games can be playing by one or two players and the gameplay is very forgiving, meaning that younger players can get through the levels with little input. This is a fantastic game for children and parents alike as parents can drop in and out as and when they are needed for some of the ‘tougher’ puzzles.

Steven Universe: Save the Light – Passable

This beautiful RPG game inspired by Paper Mario is the spiritual successor to the mobile game ‘Attack the Light’. Show creator Rebecca Sugar teamed up with Grumpy Face studios to create a fantastic tie-in to the increasingly popular show. The game introduces a new villain and many of the show’s characters are present and accounted for. Overall, the game is generally good, but it does suffer from a number of bugs including missing sound effects and seemingly unachievable achievements.

Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers – Avoid

When a game is based on animation and comedy, you’d think that it would be brimming with animation and sound. Sadly, the game has only a limited set of animations and next to no voice overs. The graphics feel disjointed and flat and the sound effects were ‘phoned in’. Whilst the music is pretty good and the premise is sound, the overall experience is not worth your time.

The Disney Afternoon Collection – Nostalgic

This collection of licensed games from the 90’s will appeal to those who played them originally, as they are a fun romp down memory lane. The added ‘rewind’ option also means that you can rewind time to avoid mistakes and complete the games. Games such as Duck Tales are still fun and challenging, whilst Talespin is as infuriating as it was back in its heyday. The Rescue Rangers does offer two-player support but children of today are likely to prefer something a little more forgiving.

OK KO – Let’s Play Heroes – Charming

OK KO – Let’s Play Heroes is a single player adventure game that is set in the plaza from the TV show. You are tasked with completing a number of quests and side quests that mainly involve you meeting a character, getting a fetch quest and fighting your way to the requested object. Power cards unlock additional characters and special moves and there are plenty of boss battles to keep you entertained. The graphics and voice acting fit perfectly with the show and whilst the fighting can become repetitive the game actually has some charm.

Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations – Surprising

This surprising addition to the Adventure Time games library is beautifully rendered and shows off the world and its inhabitants in stunning 3D. Whilst many of the characters are simply cameos, the simple gameplay, competent fighting mechanic and range of challenges are actually pretty fun. Fans of the show will hear many of the same jokes from the TV series, whilst more fairweather viewers will enjoy the new content. Finn and Jake Investigations may not win any awards, but Adventure Time fans will not be disappointed.

Just Dance Disney Party 2 – Limited

We are big fans of the Just Dance games in our house, but even for us, we found that the Disney Party 2 playlist very niche. All the songs are from the ‘teen-focused’ TV shows and movies including The Descendants, Austin & Alley, Violetta, Teen Beach 1 & 2 and Zapped to name a few. You won’t find any of the classic Disney movies on here, so be sure you are up to date on all of your Disney channel shows.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan – Terrible

The original Ninja Turtles games were some of the best-licensed games on the market but sadly, this is not the case for Mutants in Manhattan. Whilst the graphics look good, the frantic fighting, lack of any couch co-op and repetitive levels make this one to avoid. Having four poorly controlled team members fill the screen, players just see a mess of limbs and flips that draws players out of the action and into a state of disappointment.

Goosebumps: The Game – Retro

This movie tie-in game acts as a prequel to the events of the film and sees the player fend off the monsters from the books. However, if you are expecting an action-packed rollercoaster, think again. Goosebumps is an inventory-based point and click adventure game. Whilst many will find this slow, the writing is actually really good and fans of the books will get a few references and in-jokes. The puzzles are generally passable with a few head-scratchers thrown in for good measure. The game can be completed in around seven hours and I actually found myself enjoying this much more than I thought I would.

The Lego Games – Good Clean Fun

Whether you are battling super villains in Marvel Super Heroes, Avengers or Batman, or simply exploring hidden temples or lost worlds in Indiana Jones or Jurassic Park, the Lego games are always fun to play. Travellers Tales have consistently created enjoyable games that can be played by both young and old. The comedy mixes both slapstick and in-jokes and the wealth of content available means games can be as long as you want them to be. Whilst the bundle sets such as Star Wars and Harry Potter do offer longer single-player campaigns, there is still fun to be had in The Hobbit and Batman.

Special Mentions: The Over 12’s

The games below have an age rating of 12 and above, so are not advisable for younger children due to cartoon violence. However, for older children, the following licensed games are also on Xbox One

Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite – Ugly Fun

The 30 strong character roster in Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite feature some of the best-known figures from both universes including The Hulk, Spiderman, Iron Man, Chun-Li, Mega Man and Dante. The visual style has been updated sinceMarvel vs. Capcom 3 and whilst it looks better overall, the characters seem uglier than previous iterations. However, the fighting is fast and furious and the tag team battles and the addition of the Infinity Stones mean battles are still frantic and fun.

Dragonball Xenoverse 2 – Decent

Fans of the Dragonball series will not be disappointed with Xenoverse 2. The game has some solid fighting mechanics, a vast hub world to explore and a pretty decent character creation section. Couple that with lots to find and secrets to uncover and you have a fun game that improves on its predecessor. The visuals fit nicely with the show and the SFX feels deep and crunchy despite a rather annoying hub world tune. Overall, its fun of action with hours of gameplay to enjoy.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 – Deep

This RPG dungeon crawler improves on the first game with additional characters, improved graphics and the removal of the unnecessary dialogue system. The story is more in line with the cinematic universe after the success of all the recent Marvel movies. Basically, after a group of young superheroes ended up causing death and destruction in a suburban area, the government try to make superheroes register their identity. Some heroes, such as Ironman is ‘for’ the move, whilst others such as Captain America are ‘against’ it. A secret war ensues and the games follow various missions taken from the comics. This is all explained in the first couple of missions, so players do not need to be fans of the comic books first. The game looks great and there is plenty of button mashing combat and exploration to your players busy for weeks.

Ghostbusters – Lacks Spirit

Ghostbusters is yet another licensed game trying to cash in on a mobile release. However, apart from a ‘Slimer’ cameo and a couple of the terror dogs from the original movie, there is very little to connect this game to the Ghostbusters universe. The main characters are different, the weapons are different and it’s not very funny. On the good side, however, is the fact that it is couch co-op and pretty easy to complete, making it an ok game for kids, but not worth the full price tag.

The legend of Korra – Empty

The legend of Korra is a light button-bashing beat-em-up that looks great but has its issues. The cel-shaded look and smooth animations tie in well with the series. However, the tired story, finickety counter controls do lower the overall quality of the game. Fans of the series may enjoy the bending mechanics and seeing the locations from the show, however, many of the other main characters have fleeting moments and barely engage with the hero. For the price, this isn’t too bad of a game, but due to the multitude of missed opportunities and limited enemy variation but doesn’t hit the big leagues.

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Yooka Laylee

Starting with an obvious one, it’s Yooka Laylee. I have to admit that I was originally a skeptic. The original Kickstarter footage looked bright and colourful but the levels were sparse and I was worried that it wouldn’t feel like the Banjo Kazooie beater we had hoped. However, after a good few plays, I can safely say that it had a well-considered level structure, colourful characters to interact with, and solid controls. With only a week to release, I have definitely been swayed.

The Adventure Pals

What started as a popular Flash game has been reinvented, rebuilt and reimagined for consoles. Colourful cartoon graphics, off the wall characters, and easy to pick up and play gameplay makes this a sure fire hit in my household. The crazy story, flying giraffe and light RPG elements make it the perfect games for young and old and I have no mouth that this is a contender for my top Xbox One games for Children 2017.

Brawlout

The Super Smash Brothers come to Xbox One in the form of Brawlout. Beautifully animated characters battle it out in multi-tiered arenas. Each of the players I managed to see had vastly different combat styles from grapplers to dive kickers. The low-poly 3D environments all presented different layouts changing how you approach the match. Furious four player action that was great fun with friends.

Battle Chasers: Night War

Battlechasers mixes classic JRPG combat with action-packed dungeon crawling all wrapped up in stylish cartoon visuals. Battlechasers boast randomly generating dungeons with various difficulty levels. After raising over $850,000 this looks pretty special and once the 2D animated cutscenes by Powerhouse Animation Studios are in, this has the potential to be an epic adventure.

Figment

I was a huge fan of Back To Bed on Steam with its surreal levels and humorous puzzles. When I saw Figment running on the big screen, it was like looking at beautiful concept work lovingly brought to life. Bedtime Digital is planning to take us on another mind-bending adventure and explores feelings and emotions in a wonderfully colourful world of floating apples, trumpet flowers and windmills.

Little Nightmares

EGX wasn’t short of eerie games. Little Nightmares follows the escape of Six, a yellow coated girl attempting to escape the Maw, an over-sized and creepy place full of troll-like cooks and a janitor who looks like Mr. Tickle after spending too long in Silent Hill. the harrowingly beautiful game had me grinding meat to create a string of sausages to swing on. Whilst I only had 10 minutes of game time, the nightmares will stay with me for a lot longer.

Town of Light

Another dark and creepy game, this time by LKA. The Town of Light is a psychological adventure told in the first person. The story is set in a real place in Italy that has been meticulously reconstructed for this game. Through the exploration and interaction with the environment, you learn more about the history of the main character through her confused viewpoint. It’s also got a creepy doll in as well just to mess with your head.

World To The West

World to the West is set in the same world as Teslagrad. I was surprised to become so engrossed so quickly and after 20 minutes or so I had to be tapped out in order to let others have a play. I later returned to with wonderful top down adventure eager to explore the various stories and mechanics on offer. World to the West looks to have various intertwining narratives all weaved together with exploration, puzzles and fighting. Definitely, one to watch.

Aaero

Speed through stunning, stylised environments tracing ribbons of light, releasing the energy in the music. Battle strange enemies and fight massively epic bosses battles all driven by an incredible heart-pounding soundtrack. There is currently nothing like this out on Xbox One and it will make a fantastic addition to the catalogue.

Away – Journey to the Unexpected

Away: Journey to the Unexpected is a colourful first-person adventure game that combines action, negotiation and rogue-lite elements. The most unusual aspect of this one was the mix of 2D characters and 3D gameplay. The cartoon style is reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons and in a weirdly wonderful way, it all works really well.

The Sexy Brutal

Groundhog Day meets Cluedo in this puzzle-and-adventure game featuring intrigue, murder and the (quite possibly) occult! You play the elderly priest Lafcadio Boone who is stuck in a time loop whilst guests of the Marquis Masked Ball are all murdered around the mansion. Roam around the house, solve the mystery and maybe, just maybe you can escape the never-ending cycle. Fantastic concept, amazing visuals and great fun to play.

Snake Pass

Whilst I loved the visual style, colourful characters and overall concept of Snake Pass, I really wanted a couple of hours with the game to truly think like a snake. The unique control scheme meant this game was hard to pick up with only a few minutes of play time but I could sense its potential and I was eager to play more.

Rime

Rime is a third-person adventure game by Tequila Works with an eye-blistering colour palette, a serene and peaceful soundtrack and an unusual shouting mechanic. The game involves a boy who is washed ashore a strange island and is searching for someway to escape. The visuals are stunning and with a fully working day and night cycle, it promises different experiences depending on the time of day. Whilst the game looks like an open world, most of the game I played seemed to have a define push towards a certain path. However, this did not detract from the overall enjoyment.

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The team at Playrise Digital was formed by an elite team that had worked on some of my favourite racing games of all times, including Wipeout, Blur and Project Gotham Racing. In 2013, they released Table Top Racing on iOS to a positive reception, as people yearned for a modern day Micro Machines. Whilst it didn’t win any major awards, it was a step in the right direction.

Table Top Racing World Tour on the Xbox One is the most complete version of this game, encompassing all of the extras and DLC that hindered the earlier versions on Steam and PS4. The eye-popping graphics are crisp and clear with a vibrant colour palette all running at 1080p, 60hz. The stubby little toy cars look the part and include close facsimiles of camper vans, VW beetles, Porsches, pick up trucks and Chargers. There are 16 fully tuneable miniaturised racing cars to choose from and 32 different tracks to race on. However, these tracks are variations of around eight central tracks and with 140 events to work through they will get repetitive in the second half of the game.

As players race their way through the events they accumulate riches to unlock and upgrade their cars. There is also around 540 stars to collect across the various races. These are unlocked by racing through the comprehensive ‘Championship Mode’ and a multitude of ‘Special Events’. Game types include the classic race, battle mode, fastest lap and hot pursuit to keep you interested. For the older hardcore gamer, the short laps and repetitive tracks with begin to grate after a while, but for younger, more casual players, the commonality will give a certain level of comfort. The power-ups in TTR World Tour are the usual fare of weaponry found in most cart racers. Missiles, bombs and oil slicks all feature and whilst they have made some attempt to make these more toy-themed, such as battery acid instead of oil, cherry bombs instead of mines and toy-looking missiles, there was definitely a missed opportunity here to be more creative.

Thankfully, the handling and gameplay are heaps of fun. Your initial run through the amateur events feels fast enough to get you used to the controls, and once you have fully upgraded a car, or moved onto the pro circuits, the game gets much faster and much more difficult. My biggest issue with the game, however, was the lack of an overhead camera view. Table Top Racers was always going to be compared to Micro Machines, so it would have been nice to strum the strings of nostalgia by playing the game from above. Thankfully, I won’t have to wait long for this nostalgic hit, as Micro Machines World Series is also coming out this year.

Table Top Racing World Tour can be extended by going online and racing eight other players in a battle to become the ultimate table top racer. The inclusion of all the DLC is particularly good for this, as it means that all players have the same cars and tracks. The Xbox One version also brings voice support should you want to mention players family after winning a race.

For the budget price, the game looks, sounds and plays great, however, the repetitive tracks will put off some hardcore gamers after a few hours. The various game types do try and keep things interesting, yet the weapons could have been more creative. I can see this being a staple for younger players as its fun, quick and easy to get into. However, I might just have to turn off voice comms before letting my kids play it online. Sterling work from Playrise Digital and I look forward to the definitive third installment that will address a handful of minor complaints. For only £15 on the Xbox Store, this is a welcome addition to the Xbox One’s already fantastic racing lineup.

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After an accident in the factory in which some blue and red paint mixed with the robot mixture, these two sentient robots set about moving from room to room in order to leave the factory. The game is set around four stages, each having various levels per stage. Each stage has increasingly difficult puzzles that include pressing buttons, using boxes and pressing weighted switches. Test areas within the game introduce the player to new skills in a safe environment.

This game is built for two players and couch co-op as each challenge is designed to be solved by using both characters. Shift Happens can also easily be enjoyed in one player as a flick of the lower left thumbstick changes the players control over to the other character.

Whilst I really enjoyed playing this alone, the most fun was either playing with my children or simply letting both my children play together. This has to be one of the best games for young children I have seen on the Xbox in a while. There is no guns, death, scary characters or licensed character. Children simply work together to push buttons and trip switches. At the end of each level, there is a funny dance, complete with falling confetti you can jump around in. It’s good clean fun for children.

As there is no real perma-death, players who drown or get squashed simply turn into a puddle of goo with eyes that can be easily revived using the shoulder buttons.

Whilst many of hardcore gamers will find the first couple of stage overly simplistic, it is pitched perfectly for kids aged five to eleven.

Overall, I found Shift Happens a sweet game that is functionally sound, aesthetically inoffensive and really fun to play. This is sure to make it onto my list of children’s games on the Xbox One 2017 as it’s good, clean fun for adults and children alike and encourages co-operative play and working together.

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The Basics

Pokemon Go is a location based collection game in which a player created character walks around a stylised Google Map looking for pocket monsters or ‘Pokemon’. The launch version has 142 creatures to collect and they are collected by flicking balls at them. Pokemon can appear anywhere, but the algorithm favours built up urban areas, over rural wide open spaces. Certain types, such as Water Pokemon appear near bodies of water such as rivers and lakes.

As the games favours explorers, you need to be prepared to put in some legwork to be the ultimate Pokemon hunter. Social media is awash with people who have been ‘tricked’ in to exercise thanks to the game.

Pokeballs and Throwing

When your phone vibrates it means a Pokemon is near by. If you tap the offending creature, the game used uses augmented reality (using the phone camera) to layer a Pokemon in the real world view. Players start with 100 Pokeballs and these are flicked at creatures to capture them. As the game progresses, the creatures are able to dodge them and escape from them forcing you to use up more balls. Once collected they can be found in you Pokedex.

Pokestops

A Pokestop is map location where players can stock up of items such as Pokeballs and Eggs. Pokestops tend to be landmarks and places or interest such as nature reserves and historical signs. When you are close enough, players can tap the location and spin the image to receive a selection of spoils.

Pokestops can be good motivators for children as you can walk from stop to stop or you may even find one in a place you visit often. In many towns, the local church is a Pokestop so if you are having trouble motivating the kids on a Sunday morning, having a Pokestop at church could help peak their interest.

Items

There are various items available to budding young trainers that include items that produce, lure and heal Pokemon.

Balls

There are three types of ball, standard, great and ultra. Each type has a higher chance of capturing and securing Pokemon.

Eggs

There are two types of egg, the standard egg can be found at Pokestops and require you to put them in an incubator and walk 2km, 5km or 10km in order to hatch them. The longer the walk, the rarer the Pokemon. Lucky Eggs double your experience points (XP) for half an hour so they are best saved for when you are in a Pokemon heavy area.

Potions

The four types of potions include standard, super, ultra and max. Each of which, replenish the health of battle worn Pokemon (see gym section for information on battles). There is also a selection of ‘revive’ potions which awaken fainted Pokemon if they lose a battle.

Lures

If you do not fancy trekking into a built up area there are two ways you can get the Pokemon to come to you. Firstly you can use incense to attract Pokemon to your current location for 30 minutes, and secondly to can attach a lure to a Pokestop to attach Pokemon to that location so that you and anyone near can can the attracted creatures.

Outside of these items there are Razz berries that help you catch difficult Pokemon and different types of incubator meaning you can hatch more than one Pokemon at a time.

Strategies for Maximizing Items and Resources

In Pokemon Go, items and resources can be hard to come by. Here are a few strategies to help you get the most out of your resources:

• Stock up on Pokeballs at Pokestops. Pokeballs are essential to catching Pokemon, so be sure to visit Pokestops regularly to stock up on them. You can also use Lures and Incense to attract Pokemon to you.
• Use Lucky Eggs wisely. Lucky Eggs double your XP for 30 minutes, so be sure to use them in areas with a lot of Pokemon to maximize your XP gains.
• Hatch eggs while you walk. Eggs require you to walk a certain distance to hatch, so be sure to keep your app open while you walk to maximize your progress.
• Save your potions and revives for gym battles. Potions and revives can be hard to come by, so be sure to save them for when you really need them.

The Gyms

Gyms are essentially battle grounds and can contain around 10 trainers. Basically, you need to defeat three to take enter the gym. There is a ‘prestige wheel’ that reduces after each battle but I want to keep it simple. By being one of the trainers you get the two most precious commodities in the game, Pokemon Gold and Stardust which acts as in-game currency and power up material. Gyms are usually held by elites with powerful Pokemon but you can leave at any time to gain valuable experience points that will help at a later date. Players can take six Pokemon into a gym and one in, you leave your most powerful to guard your position. Battles can be done with friends and three people can take a Gym at the same time.

How to Build a Strong Pokemon Roster

Building a strong Pokemon roster is essential to succeeding in Pokemon Go. Here are a few tips to help you build a powerful team:

• Focus on catching Pokemon with high CP (combat power). CP is an indicator of a Pokemon’s strength, so be sure to catch Pokemon with high CP to build a strong roster.
• Evolve your Pokemon. Evolving your Pokemon can increase their CP and make them stronger in battles.
• Use Stardust and Candy to power up your Pokemon. Stardust and Candy can be used to increase a Pokemon’s CP, making them even stronger in battles.
• Build a diverse team. Try to build a team with a variety of Pokemon types to cover all your bases in battles.

The Perils

You may have already heard in the news that people have walked off cliffs, walked into mugging traps and generally endangered themselves as a result of playing. The three main issues are addiction, negligence and endangerment. It’s easy to get addicted so ensure that children take regular breaks. Having your head in your phone can result in walking into roads, stopping in roads to catch Pokemon and a slew of other problems. Teach your children to look up and use the vibration setting to feel for Pokemon over starring. Finally, players need to be careful that they do not go anywhere dangerous such as dark allies, building sites or even in open water to catch Pokemon. It sounds crazy but it happens.

Tips for Playing Pokemon Go Safely

While Pokemon Go is a fun and engaging game, it’s important to remember that it’s just a game. Players need to take certain precautions to ensure their safety while playing. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while catching Pokemon:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don’t play the game while walking, biking, or driving. Always be aware of what’s going on around you, and don’t take unnecessary risks to catch Pokemon.
• Be cautious of strangers. While Pokemon Go is a great way to meet new people, it’s important to remember that not everyone is who they seem. Avoid meeting strangers in secluded areas, and always meet in a public, well-lit location.
• Play with friends. Not only is it more fun to play with friends, but it’s also safer. You’ll have someone to watch your back and help you out if you need it.
• Stay hydrated. Pokemon Go can be a lot of walking, so be sure to bring water with you to stay hydrated.

Trading

Trading is a feature that allows players to trade Pokémon with other players. It can be done in-person or remotely with friends, and it requires both players to be at least level 10 and within 100 meters of each other. Trading can be an effective way to fill gaps in your Pokédex or to obtain Pokémon with high IVs (Individual Values) that are difficult to catch.

Research Tasks

Research tasks are objectives that players can complete to earn rewards such as items, experience points, and encounter opportunities with rare Pokémon. They are divided into two categories: Field Research and Special Research. Field Research tasks can be obtained by spinning PokéStops, while Special Research tasks are typically given by Professor Willow.

Events

Pokémon Go hosts regular events that offer players the chance to catch exclusive Pokémon, earn extra rewards, and participate in unique gameplay experiences. Some events are global, while others are location-specific. Some examples of events include Community Day, which features a specific Pokémon and special bonuses, and Raid Weekends, which offer an increased chance of encountering and catching rare Raid Bosses.

Raid Battles

Raid Battles are cooperative battles in which players team up to defeat a powerful Pokémon called a Raid Boss. Raid Battles take place at Gyms, and they require a Raid Pass to participate. Raid Passes can be obtained by spinning a Photo Disc at a Gym, and players can earn one free Raid Pass per day. Raid Battles are a great way to catch rare Pokémon and earn rewards such as Rare Candies, Golden Razz Berries, and TMs (Technical Machines).

Friends

The Friends feature allows players to connect with each other in the game and exchange gifts, increase Friendship levels, and participate in special research tasks. By increasing Friendship levels, players can unlock bonuses such as increased attack power in Raid Battles and reduced Stardust costs for trading Pokémon.

Quick Tips:

• Don’t get attached you early Pokemon
• If you have multiple Pokemon of the same type, use the ‘transfer’ button to transfer its power (candy) to your strongest version.
• Don’t ‘Power Up’ early on as stardust is precious
• In the settings menu you can switch it to battery-saver mode to conserve power.
• Turn off sound effect and music if you are jogging to listen to your music instead
• If you are heading out, turn off WiFi and sometimes 4G on your phone in order to stay logged in. When the game needs to jump from 3G to 4G or WiFi it can lose connection.

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The first question for my kids was “Does it have any games?” And my first port of call was the Mac App Store. Over the years I have got a few good ones and many bad ones and if you are avoiding getting a Steam account here is a great roundup of great games for children on the Apple Mac App Store.

Hogworld: Gnart’s Adventure

By Snow Castle

This short but lovely adventure game sees the lovable hog-bunny named Gnart trek across the landscape to get to the dentist. On the way, he must overcome his fears and make new friends. The game is under half an hour long but children will love the ability to play it, beat it, and then play it again.

Planet Horse

By Focus Home Interactive

Like many young children, my daughters love horses. Until they have a horse of their own horse games such as ‘Planet Horse’ gives them seven different breeds to choose from, train, and explore the world with. There are three different game types that include Show Jumping, Cross Country and Fantastic Rides. The graphics are perfectly passable and the game is surprisingly enjoyable.

The LEGO Star Wars Saga

By LucasArts

Most of the Lego game franchises can be found on the Mac store including Lego Superheroes and The Lego Movie, however, the Lego Star Wars saga is the funniest and the best value for money as it includes content from all six movies.

Happy Street

By Godzilab

In Happy Street, your children can build a cartoon-style village with a variety of places, such as the peaceful forest where you can fish, sculpt, craft and cook. You will discover a living world full of funny and customizable characters and eventually, you can create a hotel to invite your friends to stay in. The Mac version doesn’t have as many options as its tablet counterpart but it’s still great fun.

Cars 2

By Disney

My children love driving games at the arcade and whilst they are generally more fun with a steering wheel, they do enjoy Cars 2 thanks to its forgiving difficulty level and fantastic sense of fun. There are 30 cars to play with and there are plenty of power-up and mini-missions to keep it interesting.

Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey

By Disney

Having two daughters means Disney princesses feature heavily in my house. This was the perfect game to introduce them to three-dimensional keyboard control. Players can interact with Disney princesses including Cinderella, Ariel, snow White and Jasmine as they explore four enchanted Princess worlds, helping the princesses restore order to their kingdoms. The enemies are relatively harmless and when blasted with magic explode into butterflies. It’s simple enough to do the basics and there are harder settings, additional objectives and unlockables for more advanced players.

My First Trainz Set

By N3V Games

My nephew is fascinated with trains, so to keep my ‘cool uncle’ crown I got ‘My first Trainz set’ from N3V Games. This is a scaled down (literally) version of their hugely sophisticated Trainz train simulator. This virtual model train kit.l allows children to drive trains, build tracks and play with their creations. In total there are nine different trains to drive, four rooms to explore and so much fun to be had.

Mickey Mouse and the Castle of Illusion

By Disney

In this epic remake of the retro classic Mickey Mouse must travel through the Castle of Illusion, and it’s haunted grounds, to find Minnie Mouse, who has been kidnapped by the wicked witch Mizrabel. I remember loving this backing in the 1990’s when I played it on the Sega Megadrive and despite its thoroughly updated gameplay, graphics and challenges it is still infuriatingly hard.

Rayman Origins

By Feral Interactive

Sadly you won’t find Mario or Sonic on the Mac App Store but you can enjoy the crazy antics of Rayman. In this classic 2D platforming action game Rayman swings through jungles, rides geysers, and more as he seeks to rescue the Glade of Dreams from nightmarish monsters. This is funnier than you might expect and the forgiving control scheme means younger players enjoy parts of it and older children can explore the more difficult parts.

Toki Tori

By Two Tribes BV

Toki Tori was one of the first games launched on the Mac App Store back in 2011 and it stands the test of time. The gameplay in Toki Tori is a blend of two genres. While it looks like a platform game, it’s a puzzle game by heart. Children will have to look and plan ahead carefully while using a variety of items, such as the Telewarp, Freeze-o-Matic, and InstantRock to name but a few. The slow but rewarding gameplay and cute visuals make this one of daughters favourite game.

What are your favourite games on the Apple Mac App Store, do you prefer it to steam and what improvements would you like to see. Let me know and I will update this list with new titles as I discover them.

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Hosted by FamilyGamerTV (http://www.youtube.com/familygamertv), the gaming festival will be an integral part of Kidtropolis; the biggest UK consumer event for ‘all things kids and families’. 

YouTube’s leading UK family gaming outlet (8 million views/month), FamilyGamerTV will be at the heart of Kidtropolis, providing a hub for all the latest games, tech, apps and toys to life products presented by YouTuber and Journalist, Andy Robertson.

Alongside gaming festival exhibitors, the family gaming hub will offer children the opportunity to ‘Become a YouTuber’ with Andy and star in a video. Parents can seek gaming advice and test out games in a Parent’s gaming zone. An Educational zone will enable children to seek career advice for getting into the gaming industry. Additionally, consumers can also tune in to FamilyGamerTV broadcasting highlights of Kidtropolis each day and exclusive looks at the best games.

Kidtropolis is designed to engage children and families with brands and products through play, immersive activities and experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. It will house a spectrum of products from toys to fashion all the way through to science and gaming; all the things that form essential parts of children’s and family lifestyles.

Simon Pilling Managing Director of Kidtropolis said

“Kidtropolis is going to be fantastic and I can’t wait for the doors to open. I’m a kid at heart, but I’m also a parent and I can be sure that within the Family Gaming Festival, the content my children will be exposed to will be appropriate but still very exciting. I’m delighted to be working with Andy.”

Gemma Gallagher Director of Brand Relations said:

“There is a need for a gaming festival for families in the UK and Kidtropolis is the perfect place to host it. Gaming and toys to life products play significant roles in family life and we’re thrilled to be able to offer this unique experience to brands and consumers in the UK. FamilyGamerTV is a hugely successful and well respected YouTube channel and Andy Robertson will bring enormous value to the show”

Andy Robertson, Director of FamilyGamer YouTube channels said

“Families have been crying out for a dedicated video game festival for years. Catering for both children and parents, this is a unique opportunity to engage this huge audience of gamers.The Family Gaming Festival at Kidtropolis will be breakthrough space for families to experience amazing games, get expert advice and discover how to get more from the games they play.”

To get involved in the Family Gaming festival, contact simon@kidtropolis.co.uk or Andy Robertson editor@FamilyGamer.TV.

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Well, here’s my list of Xbox One games for Children that came out in 2016:

Avengers Assemble

If you were a fan of Lego Marvel Super Heroes, then this spiritual sequel takes stories from the Avengers films as well as others including the Captain America and Thor movies. Armed with new content Lego is using their tried and tested format, to create a fun action platformer, jam-packed with all the superheroes and villains you know and love, and even a few you might not have heard of.

Yooka Laylee

Look familiar? Well, that’s because Yooka Laylee is made by the creative minds behind Banjo Kazooie and the Donkey Kong games. The game is a 3D puzzle platformer, very much in the style of Banjo Kazooie. Using an array of special moves like Yooka’s tongue grapple and Laylee’s tactical sonar blast, players will explore a vast world. The game was fully funded on Kickstarter back in June 2015 and we expect to see the game at the end of 2016.

Mighty No. 9

Another spiritual successor here. Mighty No. 9 by Comcept very closely resembles Keiji Inafune’s most successful work, Mega Man, in both gameplay and character design. This 2D run and gun platformer see’s Beck, a robot who must battle through his fellow ‘mighty number’ robots who have been taken over by a computer virus. Concept has recently partnered with Deep Silver in order to distribute a retail version of the game.

Unraveled

Unravel introduces Yarny, a new, lovable and endearing character made from a single thread of yarn, that slowly unravels as you move. Inspired by the unique and breath-taking environments of Northern Scandinavia, Unravel is a visually stunning, physics-based puzzle platformer. This larger than life adventure looks to be a huge hit in 2016.

Plants vs Zombies GW2

There is shooting in this one so this one is up to you. The first game was a huge hit that was both fun to play and technically well built. The weapons and fighting are all over the top so you will be shooting corn and running around as a superhero zombie. So whether you are turning people into goats or hulking mechs, this is a great introduction for older children into a multiplayer first-person shooter.

A Boy and His Blob

This re-release of a re-release is arriving on Xbox One in January. The original game was out on the NEW back in 1989. The first remake was on the Wii back in 2009 and gained a number of 8 and 9’s in the gaming press. Now this lovingly creating puzzle adventure oozes charm and character and is good clean fun.

Rocket League

Rocket powered cars all chasing an oversized ball trying to get it in a goal shouldn’t work, but it does. Rocket League has been out on PS4 and PC for a while and has become a phenomenon. The game is fast-paced fun and takes place in an array of colourful arenas. Cars can jump and do tricks and come in all shapes and sizes. The Xbox One version comes with a Halo inspired warthog and a Gears of War armadillo. Very cool!

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is the fourth adventure for Shantae and was funded on Kickstarter back in 201. This is the first of the games to be made specifically for high definition gaming. I played the Pirates Curse on Wii U and had loads of fun, so I expect this to be just as much fun. Shantae is a 2D side-scrolling platform game in which Shantae can hit enemies with her hair and use her genie powers to change into a plethora of different animals from tower climbing monkeys to deep diving crabs.

Space Dust Racers

Intergalactic party racing mayhem! Space Dust Racers is a vehicular party game for up to 16 players. Race cartoon aliens on exotic planets, using weapon powerups and fast reflexes to knock out your opponents. Adventure alone, battle friends and family on the couch, or compete online. I have read that players can use their mobile phones as extra controllers but this has not been confirmed for the Xbox One versions. This does use a number of weapons so may only be suitable for older children.

Track Mania Turbo

Track Mania Turbo is a fast-paced, arcade racer with simple controls and more content than you can shake a stick at. The game features procedurally generated tracks, in addition to an extensive track builder, so you can challenge friends to over 200 tracks or play the mountain of user-created content. The game was originally due out in November 2015 but was delayed in order to make further refinements.

This list just scratches the surface of games coming out for children in 2016, but if you know of any that you are looking forward to then add it to the comments below.

Please subscribe to my channel and give it a thumbs up if you found it useful and I will be back with another video very soon.

The post 10 Great Kids Games From 2016 on Xbox One appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Top 20 Xbox One Games For Children

Lego Dimensions

Released in October 2015, this toys to life game enjoyed instant success thanks in part it it being a fun game but also thanks to the sheer amount of licences included. Players can get figures and playsets that cover Batman, Lord of the Rings, Back To The Future, Scooby Doo, Doctor Who, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park to name a few. They also have Lego owned properties such as Ninjago and the Lego Movie characters to players have lots of choice. The game itself allows you to build, drive, fly and explore on your own or with friends. Lego has taken a fantastic leap from blocks to pixels is this ever growing platform.

• Does include cartoon violence

Skylanders Superchargers

My last list included the previous games ‘Swapforce’ and ‘Trap Team’ which are both fun games in their own right. Superchargers adds 20 vehicles to the mix so you can fly, drive or dive around the Skylands. Each of the vehicles have additional ‘superchargers’ modifications and the best thing is that all previous Skylander figures work with it.

• Does include cartoon violence

Rare Replay

Whilst this might seem one for the dads, I added this because some of the games in Rare Replay are not only great for introducing players to gaming (due to their simplistic control systems) but are also really fun. Viva Pinata sees you building a garden and breeding sweet-inspired animals, Banjo Kazooie is an inspired platformer, Grabbed By The Ghoulies has been lovingly updated for the release and Kameo is a beautiful Legend of Zelda clone. Some games might not be appropriate such as ‘Perfect Dark Zero’ which is a James Bond inspired first person shooter and Conkers Bad Fur Day may look sweet and innocent but contains bad language, drinking and smoking.

• Not all of the 30 titles are suitable

Terraria

Terraria is as sweet as it is addictive. This retro inspired 16 bit adventure game has all the mining, crafting and adventure of Minecraft adventure mode all packaged in a 2D environment meaning their is one less dimension to worry about. Terrains are randomly generated so you can have countless adventures and build and explore to your hearts content. Whilst there are cartoon monsters and skeletons to slay the violence is limited to them breaking into pieces. However, bunnies to roam the forest and weirdly you can behead them by accident.

*Some pixel art rabbit beheading

Disney Infinity 3.0

Disney Infinity 2 was also on my list last year and I couldn’t be more excited about Star Wars being added to the mix. Disney Infinity 3.0 builds on the success of the previous iteration and improves it on every level. The single player Star Wars campaigns offer about six hours of gameplay each and the toy box mode make building your own levels easier than ever. Now Disney Infinity can use figures from the movies, Marvel Superheroes and Star Wars Characters, this title certainly has stepped up its game.

• Game contains shooting and lightsaber battles

Castle Crashers

An evil wizard take your kingdom’s power crystal and all the princesses. It’s your job as a knight to fight through hordes of colourful and often crazy enemies to save these damsels. Gore can be turned off in the settings menu and four players can play at the same time making this a great game to share with the family. The Xbox One version is fully remastered at 1080p and 60fps so it looks and plays beautifully. The game also contains all previous DLC levels and a new board game mode. It might be violent but it is fun.

*Lots of cartoon violence

Super Toy Cars

It was a tough choice between Super Toy Cars and Beach Buggy Racing as both are fun racing games for children. However, Super Toy Cars is better for children as you race around tracks made up of toys, food and household items. There are tonnes of cars and customisations available as well as a four player local multiplayer. Whilst Beach Buggy Racing has more cartoon style ‘big-headed’ racers similar to Mario Kart, and an impressive career mode, Super Toy Cars has multiple camera modes which mean you can play in both classic ‘behind the car’ mode or a zoomed out top down view for a more ‘Micro-Machines’ experience.

Ori And The Blind Forest

The best word to describe Ori and The Blind Forest is simply ‘wow’. The game is beautiful, the story is enchanting and the gameplay is a joy. However, (and it’s a big however), after the first five minutes the ‘mother’ character dies and after you finally pull yourself together (I cried) you are tasked with saving the forest. Ori is the prime candidate for ‘games as an art form’ as the storytelling and visuals are spell-bounding despite it dealing with the difficult truth that nothing lasts forever. Whilst this is not suited to smaller children, I think many older children would have an ‘emotional experience’ with this game which is very rare in mainstream gaming.

• Mother dies in the start (not violently)

Kinect Focused:

The kinect is great when you have small children as it frees them from having to use the complicated 16 button controller, which is often too big for their hands. However, when Microsoft decided to drop the Kinect Sensor with many console bundles, the take up has been much slower. This has meant that less game developers make games for it. If you have kids though, it’s great for getting them up and moving. Here is a few Kinect games ideally suited to children.

Fruit Ninja Kinect 2

My children love chopping fruit, dodging shuriken and leaping around the living room like ninjas. This fun little game is great for short bursts and enjoys various game modes including Zen mode which is devoid of bombs. The game supports two players and introduces ‘festival modes’ which sees players dodging lights or avoiding throwing stars

Just Dance 2016  (Just Dance® Disney Party 2)

The Just Dance games are some of the most played in my house. Just Dance 2016 has 43 tracks out of the box (including the little Mermaid and Grease) as well as access to Just Dance Unlimited which is another 150+ tracks (for a small monthly subscription). Dancers have various routines to enjoy and include variations for groups, on stage and even chair dancing. With over 200 songs at your fingertips this is the most complete Just Dance to date.  There is also Just Dance Disney Party 2 out on Xbox One for those who are fans of the Disney TV shows such as The Descendants, Liv & Maddie and Violetta, but don’t expect any of the classic movie tracks, this one is strictly Disney Channel content.

Squid Hero / Boom Ball Combo

OK, so this is two games in one but they come in a bundle so I included them together. Both Squid Hero and Boom Ball feel ‘made-for-kinect’ and are a lot of fun for children and adults alike. Boom Ball was the first to come out and is an ‘Arkanoid meets tennis’ game where you use you hands (which are represented as white hands on screen) to bat a ball against blocks, trees and creatures in order to clear the level of blocks. Squid Hero see players as an alien Squid who is tidying up a river after a crash landing on Earth. Players reach for smaller blocks of debris and throw them again larger blocks to smash them up. Both games are good clean fun and do offer quite a workout for the player

Shape Up

The ultimate workout game on the Xbox One has to be Shape Up which literally puts you in the game and makes your digital doppelgänger take part of an array of virtual exercises. Players will be doing real world press ups, whilst their digital version does the same except with elephants on his back. There is a range of exercises, each hidden amongst crazy minigames. This really does make exercising fun.

Rabbids Invasion

Rabbids Invasion is an interactive TV show game in which you watch a 3D cartoon of those rascally rabbids get up to all sorts of antics. Think white minions with bunny ears. Throughout the show, there are opportunities to play mini games from simple spotting games (first one to point at a this fish) to running on the spot games to help the characters with their mission. Completing each task earns points which are totalled up at the end of the show. Multiple player can play simultaneously and it’s easy to drop in and out of the game at any point. A really unique title that’s both fun to watch and fun to play.

Zoo Tycoon

This is a classic that was on my previous list but well worth mentioning again in the Kinect section as feeding the animals using Kinect is fantastic and something my children like to go back to again and again.

Classics

The following classics list do overlap with the previous video and are for first time viewers. If you are looking for games for your children these older games are great and not to be overlooked.

Minecraft

Minecraft is probably the reason your children have an Xbox One. This highly addictive creation tool allows players to build their own world, share it with friends or take part in their own adventure. There is a reason why over 70 million copies of this game has been sold, it’s fantastic and allows your children to be creative in a near limitless digital world. Xbox One is the best platform to own it on as Microsoft now own Minecraft so it will be the first place to get the latest updates.

• The adventure mode has zombies and skeletons

Lego Marvel Super Heroes

This cute, funny and entertaining game has over 150 superheroes to play with and whilst some mission may seem repetitive for hardcore gamers I think children will find it pleasant and a lot of fun to play. Spiderman swings, Iron Man flies and Hulk smashes, what more could you want.

• Some cartoon violence

Trials Fusion

Trials Fusion is an futuristic extreme motorbiking game, in which players use learning and balancing skills to race to the end of a level as fast of possible. The game has huge jumps, loop the loops and plenty of unnecessary explosions. The ragdoll physics of the rider means the crashes (which happen very often) are pretty funny for the first 100 times. After playing through the career mode and unlocking the two and four wheel bikes the game is extended by an easy to use ‘course creator’ as well as a vast library of community created tracks.

Max And The Curse of Brotherhood

Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a brilliant 2D platforming game that sees young Max try and save his little brother from a strange world, after using a spell he found on the internet to banish him from his bedroom. The characters are really sweet and it looks beautiful. The violence from Max is minimal but there are a number of difficult puzzle elements that might need an experienced gamer to work through.

Non Violent Games

Many of the story driven games mentioned [in this video] do have cartoon violence, monsters and player death. I know my wife would prefer our children’s games to be less violent. Out of the ones already covered, Just Dance, Shape Up, Viva Pinata, and Super Toy Cars do not contain violence. The building section of Disney Infinity and Minecraft also can also avoid this is the creator chooses it. The following two titles do not include any violence or ‘death’ state.

Submerged

Submerged is set in a beautifully realised post-apocalyptic world submerged in water. The story begins with an escaping brother and sister who happen upon a long dead metropolis. You play Miku, the older sister, tasked with helping your injured brother Taku. Armed with a map, telescope, and fishing boat, this third person platforming adventure has no fighting and no failure state. It’s beautiful, serene and easy to play but may be suitable for ages six and above.

Beyond Eyes

Beyond Eyes tells the story of a 10 year old girl called Rae who was blinded as a toddler. In the game Rae must face her anxiety and goes on a journey to find her only friend (her cat) surrounded by an unseen world full of life waiting to be revealed. This is a slow yet beautiful game that stirs emotions and enables players to empathise with the protagonist.

The post Xbox One Games For Children 2015/16 appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

This feeling was not a drug induced coma but the culmination of playing Disney’s Fantasia for the past 4 hours. The game had been sitting in my library for some time, after it was reduced by 50% in a sale. I got it primarily for my two girls but our initial attempt at playing was marred. Trying to learn how to play a new game whilst trying to teach two toddlers how to play it was a step too far. Sometimes I think that ‘too many players spoil the Kinect game’ to borrow from the old wives tale. Playing alone was much easier and I managed to sail through the tutorial levels and meet the grand wizard Yen Sid.

In Fantasia, you are a young apprentice wizard looking to master the art of music and movement. By following on-screen stars and particular prompts you act as a god-like conductor making magic on the screen as the music plays. Miss a queue and silence ensues. The music ranges from classical to prog rock to modern pop and you will find yourself waving along to the likes of Tchaikovsky, The Police, Queen and even Lady Gaga. Each piece varies in difficulty.

Once you ‘get it’, the game is deeply satisfying and it’s easy to feel the magic in every swipe and gesture. However, it’s probably best played in short bursts unless you were eager to lose your ‘bingo wings’ as it can be quite a workout. The moves vary from simple swipes to more complex ‘grab and move’ gestures includes three dimensional puzzle boxes that need to be twisted and unlocked.

Whilst the main ‘performances’ are conducted on a starry background for clarity, your adventure spans various different regions. These regions are called

• The Reef
• The Neighborhood
• The Hollow
• The Haven
• The Press
• The Shadows
• The Cosmos

There is a lose narrative to follow, that sees a malevolent force known as ‘the noise’ threaten the different regions and with the grand wizard — missing, it is up to you and a fellow apprentice ‘scout’ to save the day. You will tickle tortoises and spin sea horses as the various regions have interactive levels allowing you to play with the environments.

For those not looking for a story there is a simple points game where you simply choose a song and go for the perfect performance.

The game is not for everyone and you have to put in the time in order to get the most from it. I am a fan of Kinect games and in this field, Fantasia is extremely polished. The overall theme and feel is in line with Fantasia’s style and messages. I remember the original Fantasia and it made classical music more accessible to me as the sorceress apprentice, the planets and the dance of the sugar plum fairy meant nothing to me before seeing the movie. Fantasia on Xbox One tries hard to make Classical Music accessible to the digital generation and I applaud it for that.

Sadly, the dark shadow of DLC looms over Fantasia as there are lots of additional tracks available (18+) for download (For a price). However, as this is the first outing for the series I think they should have bundled more with the game as the arm waving levels do not feel as ‘choreographed’ as say the Guitar Hero music. In that, each finger note has to be in the right place at the right time and you get various difficulty. In Fantasia, it is probably just as difficult but it’s just swipes on a screen so there is more room for ‘interpretation’.

Overall, Fantasia does give players a sense of magic and it definitely gets you moving. Once you Break through the tutorial levels there is lots of fun to be had. Sadly there is an over reliance of pop music and too much offered as DLC. Harmonix could have easily bundled in 30 more well known ‘out of copyright’ classical classics to beef up the set list.

Ultimately, I was really hesitant to play this game and I don’t think I am alone. However, the concept works and the game mixes magic with music to create a unique experience. Children may enjoy it more than adults but Disney fans will not be disappointed.

The post Review: Fantasia Music Evolved | Xbox One appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

A similar feature grabbed me in Zoo Tycoon as it boasted the ability to feed and play with the animals you look after. Not only that, but you interacted with them using the Kinect controller reaching down for virtual fruit, pressing up a high five to virtual glass and grabbing the handles of virtual water cannons. All of the interactions work really well and whilst hardcore gamers will tire of the novelty after a while, children will continue to enjoy it for months. However, the ground level Zoo simulation is just a small part of the game. In the third person view players can not only interact with the animals but also call and drive animal themed buggies around the park. Whilst this seems a little light in features, Achievements can earned by running and driving round your Zoo. This side of the game, however is merely an inspection tool that allows you to bask in the Zoo you have created. The real game is played in the top down view as you research, promote and build your Zoo.

For the more serious gamer Zoo Tycoon offers a strategic park management simulator as you carefully balance the finances researching animals, breeding animals, selling them and releasing them into the wild. When not caring for the animal population you need to focus on your facilities building new enclosures, filling them with feeding and playing stations and repairing them. Ultimately you have to keep all the bars in the green which means keeping everyone happy. Players can choose to take on set challenges in pre-built Zoos, build their own from scratch where money is no object or play using a set starting budget. In all the modes you have a fame level as as your Zoo’s fame level increases you unlock more animals and enclosures.

Zoo Tycoon does have its fun elements and watching you Zoo grow and thrive really is a joy but some aspects are more cumbersome. As you can only research one thing at a time you might find yourself waiting around for research to be completed or worst accidentally cancel it when you start researching something else. Also, some of the species are so similar you might find yourself with five types of Gazelle when really you wanted a better mix of the more exciting animals. My final snag would be that the people who walk around your park cannot be hit by your buggy and simply ‘jerk’ out of the way with little consideration made on animating them. However, these issues are easily overlooked as you wash bears, high five tigers take photo after photo of your tenants.

Zoo Tycoon is also a force for good in the real world as well as the more virtual animals you release into the wild the more money Microsoft will donate to animal charities so there is no excuse to keep on playing.

Overall, Zoo Tycoon is one of the strongest launch titles on the Xbox One as the graphics are fantastic with realistic animals and an array of well thought out animations. The simplified controls work well on the controller and my family and I have had no real issues with the Kinect controls. It can get a little boring when waiting around for cash or research to be completed, but you can use this time picking up virtual poo in order to gain that much loved achievement of picking up 1000 pieces of poo. Thanks to the animal interactions and the third person view this game will also appeal to younger children and educates them about different animals. Zoo Tycoon has been well designed as it has both pick-up-and-play elements as well as longer term aspects meaning you can keep coming back again and again as you become the ultimate Zoo Tycoon.

The post Review: Zoo Tycoon | Xbox One [Video] appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

When it comes to video games, one of the largest demographics for the content remains young children. With the bright colors, sound effects and integrated play, children of all ages, especially young ones, are on the receiving end of countless advertisements. However, this does not mean that a child should play a video game. As a parent, you have the final say in if a child should play the game or if you need to leave it on the shelf at the store or off the download list. If you are up in the air about the game, there are a few different specifications and aspects you need to consider, before opting into the game or not.

Learning Options

Some video games promote healthy learning. From mathematics to problem-solving, some games truly do have exceptional capabilities when it comes to children. Not only does the content help entertain a child, but it allows them to grown mentally as well. You need to read the product description regarding the game in order to determine if this is going to offer learning specifics with the game, or if your child is just going to go completely numb and unresponsive to your requests. The last thing you want to do is develop a child who has a short attention span and is unable to concentrate on other information, simply because you placed a color tablet or video game system in front of their face.

Rating

All video games for children and adults have a rating that tells you as a parent what is going to be involved in the game. This works in a similar manner to the rating of movies and television programming. It is going to show the recommended age of the participant and what is found inside the game, including violence, language, sexual content and anything else that might be of interest to you. You need to know what your child is going to be viewing and prevent them from interacting with material that is not going to be desirable to them.

Development

Young children are going to develop skills far faster than older children. This means the younger a child is, the better off they are doing something not associated with games. So, instead of allowing them to play a game it might be better to take them outside, have them play a sport, give them colored pencils and a piece of paper to draw on, or anything else. These other aspects are going to help the child develop their brains, while video games are going to just keep them busy and possibly hinder their development. As a parent, this is up to you and you need to determine if it works for you and your child or not.

When it comes to the video games and what your child does, you have the final say. You need to stay educated on what your child plays and if they should play the game or if they should spend their time doing something else.

The post Should I Buy Video Games For My Kid? appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

 Gazzili Puzzles

The beauty of this app is that it strengthens concentration, dexterity and problem-solving skills, as well as hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Children put puzzles together as they are taken on a multi-sensory adventure. Once an activity is completed, they are led to their next one — each including music, interactive animations and surprise features.

Picme Moviebook

Based on the award-wining children’s TV show, this app allows your child to become a cartoon and star in her own movie, alongside her favorite PICME characters. There are four touch-driven animations on every page, auto-read capabilities and in-book activities. All this is delivered through fun songs and bright colors in a learning environment that makes kids and parents happy.

Bartlebys Book of Button

Let’s start with the accolades. This app has been named one of Apple’s 2011 Best App: #1 Book App iPhone, #3 Book App iPad and has received the Children’s Technology Award and Kirkus Star. And if that’s not enough, kids love it, too. Bartleby is back in this sequel, where we see him travel to find more buttons at the bottom of the sea. Every page is a puzzle that needs to be solved, and solving it means buttons need to be pushed and knobs need to be turned — keeping your child involved throughout this oceanic adventure. As an added bonus, your child will receive collectable stickers as he works his way through the storybook.

Tot Yoga

We all know yoga is great for your body and your mind, so why not get them started early? With this app, your child’s image is mirrored onto the screen as she learns 13 relaxing poses. It’s narrated by a four year old who also allows the children to take control — something they love — at various parts of the learning process. This has benefits for mom and dad too, as exercise and stress-reduction help to improve the parent-toddler relationship.

Paint

Does a coloring session without the mess sound appealing? Now kids can create their artwork on-screen with this simple drawing app that allows you to save the images to your iPhone photos! They’ll love seeing their doodles on the big screen, and you’ll love not having to clean up after your little artist.

These are some of the most popular games and apps, but with the untapped potential of airplay mirroring, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Every year they get more realistic and interactive, and continue to find ways to mesh fun and learning for the toddler set. So keep your eyes peeled, and next time the playground equipment isn’t keeping your toddler entertained, download an app that will.

Other Great Airplay Related Articles:

• 5 of the Best Airplay Enabled Games
• The Best of the Rest – Airplay Enabled Games
• Obscure Airplay Enabled Games
• Duel Screen Airplay Games

The post Airplay Enabled Games and Apps for Toddlers appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Add variety and fun to your child’s math learning with the help of some fun online math games for kids. Here are three of the best math games for kids, arranged in no particular order:

Math Games at Manga High

From basic number games to algebra, shapes, data games, and more, Manga High is a goldmine of fun and cool math games that make learning math concepts a super exciting process. There are loads of short, free math games that you can try your hands on. If they are the right fit for your kid’s needs, go ahead and create a school account to enjoy the full length versions. The games are impressive and informative – just mouse over them to know which math skill is being employed by it.

Math Games at Math Blaster

Your search for the best place to find all sorts of fun and engaging math games ends at Math Blaster. The cool space theme aside, this site is brimming with online math games, worksheets, and activities that make learning math an experience in itself. Try switching the computer off when your kids are playing Math Blaster. In retrospect, please DON’T try switching off the computer when they are playing Math Blaster. Remember, you have been warned.

Math Games at Helping With Math

The math games at this site are brilliant resources for parents and teachers looking to help kids chisel their math skills. However, this site is only for kids in third grade and above. Helpingwithmath.com is full of fun multiplication games, flash cards, number lines, worksheets, tables and charts and other useful math resources and printables. Definitely give this site a go!

The post 3 Online Games to Sharpen Your Child’s Math Skills appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

The Arrival

When I finally took delivery of my shiny white Galaxy Tab from Argos I couldn’t have been more excited. A second tablet in the house meant I could build games for Android tablets, stop stealing the family iPad for work and have another computer for my young girls. This final point means that the girls have individual screens in the car allowing them to watch different movies and play different games…  meaning more peace for me.

The weight feels slightly lighter than the iPad and the screen has a silky smooth finish that is a joy to caress. The front mounted speakers look to be ideal for gaming and definitely gives it the impression that it is an entertainment system first and foremost. I soon set about downloading all my games, apps and entertainment, that were divided into ‘games for toddlers’, ‘games for me’, ‘essential apps’ and finally movies and music. My first day downloads consisted of:

Android Games For Toddlers

My top choices for toddler games for Android was a mix of both paid and free games:

Cbeebies Playtime (free):

A well rounded and well made game with four game types to keep the girls occupied. This is a great starter app that is lots of fun, but with all the characters CBeebies has on their roster, I would like to see updates that extend the app further to include people like Charlie and Lola, Mr Maker and Old Jacks Boat.

Talking Tom, Talking Ben and Talking Ginger (free)

The girls love those crazy animals and happily jabber to them for minutes on end. The Ginger the Cat game also has a really useful toothbrush timer that my girls use daily. Sadly, they don’t measure up to their iPad counterparts as they glitchy and less responsive.

Puzzingo (free)

Puzzingo is a basic drag and drop puzzle game that uses silhouettes instead of jigsaw pieces making it much easier for toddlers. Its also crammed full of sound FX and mini games meaning it will keep them busy on long car journeys. It’s worth paying the extra to unlock additional puzzles as this one keeps the girls busy for hours (whilst being educational of course).

Pet Spa (free)

Grooming cute little animals takes time and despite its simple gameplay and limited appeal, Lucy, my eldest enjoys washing, clipping and dressing up various animals and showing me the finished critter.

Princess Jigsaw (free)

I was a bit dubious at first as it doesn’t look like a licenced product but I thought I’d give it a try and whilst it works ok, I don’t see it lasting.

Peppa Pig Goes On Holiday (Paid)

A selection of mini games around a holiday/vacation theme that the girls pointed to and requested… Obviously I caved within minutes. Whilst the app is solid and the games are fun, I can’t help but think that at £2.99/$4.99 they could have bundled in a few of the other titles as well.

Android Games For Me

I wanted a mix of pick-up-and-play games and some more long term games so I opted for the following:

Rayman Jungle Run (paid)

After enjoying Rayman legends and hearing good things about this simple runner I was eager to test out my new hardware of this speedy platformer. I was not disappointed, as the game is simple, smooth and fun. Each stage is beautifully crafted for a seamless running experience and the areas are geared around teaching you new skills. The music is fun and bouncy, however, with only three different tracks I can see this getting repetitive. The Samsung renders it amazingly and it runs with no lag or load times.

Asphalt 8 (paid)

A hefty 1.3GB download but pushes my new Tablet to the maximum. With a detailed career mode and plenty of unlockables I had hoped this game would last the foreseeable future. A week in and I am 10 tracks in and still thoroughly enjoying it. Sadly, I am still in the original car as the decent cars cost a huge amount of in game cash (encouraging you to buy supercar packs for real money).

Temple Run 2 (free)

This addictive swipe-fest greatly improves on the original and on a 10.1 inch screen it looks fantastic. The game runs smoothly and is ideal for a quick romp through the jungle. Out of all the games I initially downloaded, I have played this the least due to it lack of any real story or progression elements.

Jane Wilde (free)

This Zombieville USA style run-and-gun game has a great art style and plenty of weapons to keep any ‘older’ gamer happy. Obviously targeting a male audience (due to her large assets) this games is a simple pick-up-and-play title that is easy to dip in and out off when you have a spare minute or two.

Grand Theft Auto 3 (paid)

The 10th anniversary edition of the game that spawned one of the biggest franchises in gaming history. This game has monopolised most of my time as it is as addictive as the original.  The controls might be a little ‘shonkier’ which can get you into trouble in the sections you need some degree of accuracy, but for the most part, the game is very similar to its playstation counterpart.

Some confusion

Being new to the Android scene I did experience some confusion between the Samsung store and the Google store as I want games and movies but was presented with options from both with no clear difference as to the benefits of one or the other (Wreck it Ralph was £9.99 on both stores). Although iPad is a gated community it does benefit by everything being simple.

Its SO big!

Over the past week I have become precious about by new gadget and I am astonished by the possibilities. Knowing that it will be used by my rambunctious children as well as myself (and the fact my iPad is cracked and always ‘sticky’) I went for 3 years gadget cover to keep it good condition. I have subsequently got a cover and added a 64gb SD card increasing its storage. Now it has a wealth of music, movies, games, and a mass of apps to connect me with friends, shop online and work. I still have lots of personalisation to do and I probably will remove a few of the standard apps, once I figure out if I need them or not. Overall though, it has been a pleasurable experience and I look forward to playing, reviewing and making new games for my new device and at nearly half the price of a new iPad 3 I can see it swaying a lot of people in the future.

The post My New Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

The iPad showed both the industry and families that simple games that appeal to toddlers and young children is a growing market and despite Leapfrog’s best attempt to address this audience, the iPad is dominating the market. Other more affordable tablets are being released everyday in order to appeal to this growing younger market.

I ran a story a few months back looking at toddler friendly games. There I struggled to find many and had to settle for Fireworks HD and Aquarium HD as these had limited controls and no real goal. Either way, my girls love them and it was their first introduction to the Xbox 360 controller. The Kinect is better for small children, which is why I am so excited about the possibilities of the Xbox One. With this in mind I wanted to look at the current ‘known’ games for children on the upcoming Xbox One:

Jump Links To:

• 2014 Xbox One Games For Kids
• Upcoming Games For Children on Xbox One
• Kinect Focused Games
• Non Violent Games

Xbox Games For Children 2015

The following list was compiled at the end of 2015 to highlight the best games 2015 had to offer on the xbox One.

Lego Dimensions

Released in October 2015, this toys to life game enjoyed instant success thanks in part it it being a fun game but also thanks to the sheer amount of licences included. Players can get figures and playsets that cover Batman, Lord of the Rings, Back To The Future, Scooby Doo, Doctor Who, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park to name a few. They also have Lego owned properties such as Ninjago and the Lego Movie characters to players have lots of choice. The game itself allows you to build, drive, fly and explore on your own or with friends. Lego has taken a fantastic leap from blocks to pixels is this ever growing platform.

• Does include cartoon violence

Skylanders Superchargers

My 2014 list included the previous games ‘Swapforce’ and ‘Trap Team’ which are both fun games in their own right. Superchargers adds 20 vehicles to the mix so you can fly, drive or dive around the Skylands. Each of the vehicles have additional ‘superchargers’ modifications and the best thing is that all previous Skylanders figures work with it.

* Does include cartoon violence

Rare Replay

Whilst this might seem one for the dads, I added this because some of the games in Rare Replay are not only great for introducing players to gaming (due to their simplistic control systems) but are also really fun. Viva Pinata sees you building a garden and breeding sweet-inspired animals, Banjo Kazooie is an inspired platformer, Grabbed By The Ghoulies has been lovingly updated for the release and Kameo is a beautiful Legend of Zelda clone. Some games might not be appropriate such as ‘Perfect Dark Zero’ which is a James Bond inspired first person shooter and Conkers Bad Fur Day may look sweet and innocent but contains bad language, drinking and smoking.

* Not all of the 30 titles are suitable

Terraria

Terraria is as sweet as it is addictive. This retro inspired 16 bit adventure game has all the mining, crafting and adventure of Minecraft adventure mode all packaged in a 2D environment meaning their is one less dimension to worry about. Terrains are randomly generated so you can have countless adventures and build and explore to your hearts content. Whilst there are cartoon monsters and skeletons to slay the violence is limited to them breaking into pieces. However, bunnies to roam the forest and weirdly you can behead them by accident.

* Some pixel art rabbit beheading

Disney Infinity 3.0

Disney Infinity 2 was also on my 2014 list and I couldn’t be more excited about Star Wars being added to the mix. Disney Infinity 3.0 builds on the success of the previous iteration and improves it on every level. The single player Star Wars campaigns offer about six hours of gameplay each and the toy box mode make building your own levels easier than ever. Now Disney Infinity can use figures from the movies, Marvel Superheroes and Star Wars Characters, this title certainly has stepped up its game.

*Game contains shooting and lightsaber battles

Castle Crashers HD

An evil wizard take your kingdom’s power crystal and all the princesses. It’s your job as a knight to fight through hordes of colourful and often crazy enemies to save these damsels. Gore can be turned off in the settings menu and four players can play at the same time making this a great game to share with the family. The Xbox One version is fully remastered at 1080p and 60fps so it looks and plays beautifully. The game also contains all previous DLC levels and a new board game mode. It might be violent but it is fun.

*Lots of cartoon violence

Super Toy Cars

It was a tough choice between Super Toy Cars and Beach Buggy Racing as both are fun racing games for children. However, Super Toy Cars is better for children as you race around tracks made up of toys, food and household items. There are tonnes of cars and customisations available as well as a four player local multiplayer. Whilst Beach Buggy Racing has more cartoon style ‘big-headed’ racers similar to Mario Kart, and an impressive career mode, Super Toy Cars has multiple camera modes which mean you can play in both classic ‘behind the car’ mode or a zoomed out top down view for a more ‘Micro-Machines’ experience.

Ori And The Blind Forest

The best word to describe Ori and The Blind Forest is simply ‘wow’. The game is beautiful, the story is enchanting and the gameplay is a joy. However, (and it’s a big however), after the first five minutes the ‘mother’ character dies and after you finally pull yourself together (I cried) you are tasked with saving the forest. Ori is the prime candidate for ‘games as an art form’ as the storytelling and visuals are spell-bounding despite it dealing with the difficult truth that nothing lasts forever. Whilst this is not suited to smaller children, I think many older children would have an ‘emotional experience’ with this game which is very rare in mainstream gaming.

• Mother dies in the start (not violently)

2014 Games For Children

The following are still fantastic children games on the Xbox One, however these came out in the early part of the console’s lifecycle.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (Xbox One)

The Lego brand games of recent times have never failed to disappoint. The are all pretty solid games with an over arching sense of fun. Although they are becoming all too frequent, don’t let that fact stop you if you haven’t played one in a while. This one promises more superheroes than you can shake a magical hammer at boasting over 100 marvel characters. These games work on so many levels that young children can get just as much fun out of it as parents. Also, the two player co-op means that if your children are struggling on a level or puzzle, it’s easy for you to jump in and play without disrupting your child’s enjoyment.

* There is some violence in this game

Minecraft (Xbox One)

Minecraft is the Lego of the digital generation and just as addictive. You and the family can lose hours building castles and shaping the world around you. Up to four players can player simultaneously and you can jump into others games quickly and easily. The best thing is that there are no quests or end to the game, only creatively and some very simple rules.

* At night, creepers come out and some violence is shown

Just Dance 2014/15 (Xbox One)

The latest iteration of this popular dance game has over 40 tracks to choose from and has Ubisoft extremely excited due to the advanced movement tracking capabilities of the Kinect 2. This will be the first game to be able to track six players at one time means the children could have an entire dance party in the living room. So get your camcorders ready as hilarity is highly likely.

* This does include a ‘battle’ mode which does have a competitive nature.

Fantasia: Music Evolved (Xbox One)

If you prefer you music by the likes of Vivalidi instead of One Direction then its worth exploring Fantasia. This game mixes motion controlled conducting with the exploration of a 3D world. Players can search and manipulate a colorful world filled with creatures that you can interact with before launching into either classical or modern tracks. With over 30 tracks and a ‘remix’ mode we are looking forward to seeing Harmonix’s vision of music games on the Xbox One.

Kinect Sports Rivals (Xbox One)

This one has me most excited, not only because of the calibre of the studio behind it (Rare) but also because it seems to be inclusive to children. Every player can create their own superstar avatar and compete in a range of events from rock climbing to jet skiing. This has the making of being a real family crowd-pleaser and if the game manages to balance children versus adults then this will be A LOT of fun.

*The rock climbing does show players pulling other players from the wall and falling to the ground

Zoo Tycoon (Xbox One)

Zoo Tycoon mixes the strategy and thought of a simulation with an interactive third person zookeeper mode meaning you can not only build a living breathing Zoo but also see it come to life at the ground level. Whilst children might find it difficult to manage the building and running of the Zoo, they are sure to enjoy see the 100+ animals available, feeding them, washing then and giving them toys to play with. As the game can be controlled by both the controller and Kinect, it means that parent an child can work together to create a Zoo that can be shared and enjoyed by others.

Skylanders SWAP Force (Xbox One)

The SWAP Force are a group of Skylanders who protected the volcano that supplied magic to the Skylands. However, a surprise eruption blasted them apart and gave them the ability to swap powers and body parts. The game is a third person cartoon adventure where you mix and match your players to complete a series of fetch quests. What is different about this is that you need to put physical/real world toys on a power pad in order for them to show up in the game. This game is dangerous and yet so good. It is dangerous because it wants you to buys physical toys in order to get the most out of it. As you quest you will find yourself winning weapons and items of clothing for team members you don’t yet own as well as shown an advert for said team member in-game making children turn around and ask mummy and daddy to buy them. It is a really clever idea and annoying at the same time but before long you will find you have shelves of these figures around your house. At the same time, the game is a lot of fun and it is nice that toy figures still exist even if they now have digital counterparts.

*Cartoon violence throughout

Skylanders TRAP Team (Xbox One)

Due out in October, this sequel to SWAP Force sees you being able to collect and control the villains of the series as well as use all your previous Skylanders. However, TRAP Team goes further than SWAP Force in that instead of just putting characters into the game from the physical world you can now pull the villains out and ‘trap’ them in the all new power pad. Once you defeat an enemy, the game shows the enemy being sucked out of the screen and there voice comes out of the power pad giving the illusion that you have them trapped.

*Cartoon violence throughout

Shape Up (Xbox One)

Shape up mixes crazy mini games with exercise as players compete in a series of mad cap activities from push ups with heavy virtual objects on your back to squat thrusting to the moon. The game uses real-time green screening to put you directly into the game so you can see your likeness run, jump, thrust and push your way to victory, Whilst this game does look like fun, I would be interested in seeing the lag time between the real you and your digital version.

Disney Infinity 2.0 (Xbox One)

After Skylanders earned over a billion dollars, Disney was soon looking for a way to leverage its own wealth of characters. As such, they created Disney Infinity which is a virtual toy box where real world toys can be used to unlock characters and games in the game. Play sets can also be bought that include additional in-game worlds and a story driven quest. Xbox One will see version 2.0 arrive in September and all the characters from the original can be used in the toybox (however playsets do not work). Version 2.0 will also see the addition Marvel characters being added. So Elsa from Frozen can play along side Spiderman battling pirates. I am really excited about this one but at £10-15 per character it is going to be an expensive hobby.

*Characters do have the ability to shoot weapons at enemies (however it is up to the gamer to play that game type)

Max: The Curse of Brotherhood (Xbox One)

This game was a surprise when it appeared on the Xbox Marketplace and an even bigger surprise when it was given away free for two months as part of Microsoft’s Games With Gold initiative. Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a 2D platforming game that sees young Max try and save his little brother from a strange world, after using a spell he found on the internet to banish him from his bedroom. The characters are really sweet and it looks beautiful. The violence from Max is minimal but there are a number of difficult puzzle elements that might need an experience gamer to work through. However, the game is a joy to play and some of the action sequences are truly epic.

* Monsters chase Max but Max and after one hit it fades to black.

Child of Light (Xbox One)

This game is worth getting just for the visuals as it is a stunning piece of art where you play a fairy-like girl who floats around the levels solving puzzles and battling monsters. However, the battles are fought in a classic RPG style so neither player or enemy actually touch, only display an animation when hit etc. The combat system is simple and well thought out and although there are monsters in it, the hand painted art style softens their effect greatly.

* Some monsters and battle animations

The LEGO Movie Videogame (Xbox One)

This game follows Emmett on his quest to save they world with a myriad of over 90 random characters including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Green Ninja, Gandalf, Shakespeare, Cleopatra and many more. If you are a huge fan of the movie then this could be a lot of fun, however, the gaming press has suggested that the games graphics are not up to par with other Lego games and it does suffer from some glitches.

[UPDATE: January 2015]

Rabbids Invasion (Xbox One)

Originally from a Rayman game, the Rabbids have now got their own show on Nickelodeon. This show is one of the first of it’s kind as it invites viewers to use a iPad to interact with the show. This game is the self contained version of that show. Players use Kinect to take part in a series of mini games that move the TV show along. The graphics are Pixar quality and and it can be quite funny but you might find that there is more standing and watching than active gameplay.

*Some cartoon violence

Boom Ball For Kinect (Xbox One)

Boom Ball For Kinect is a harmless full body Kinect game that see players hitting virtual balls towards a wall with the aims destroying all the blocks. It looks and feels low budget but it costs less than some high end mobile games so could be worth a go for Kinect fans.

*Explosions

Monopoly (Xbox One)

The classic board game has come to the next generation with all new 3D graphics and various new game types. Whilst the classic game might be suitable for older children, younger children will enjoy the My Little Pony DLC or the ‘My Monopoly’ that allows players to create custom boards meaning you can add places relevant to your Children. Once created you might find you children buying up the Grandparents house and charging rent to all those who set foot in there.

Chariot (Xbox One)

Whilst the premise of the game is a little strange (moving the coffin of a dead king), the game itself is quite sweet as the Prince and Princess must work together to get the ‘Chariot’ to the end of the level. The visuals are sweet and it might be one of those games that brothers and sisters might interesting as it challenges them to cooperate together in order to complete the game.

*Ghost character in the beginning

Nutjitsu (Xbox One)

Nutjitsu is basically a Pac Man game where a Ninja Squirrel walks around a level collecting acorns whilst avoiding foxes. There is no fighting but additional power ups can be earned throughout the game such as bombs (giving it a Bomber Man style appeal) but overall the game is pretty harmless. The graphics are nothing to write home about and they retain their original Windows 8 styling but this 2D top down game would make a great introduction to gaming for those looking to get used to twin stick controls.

*Bombs in later levels

Kinect Focused:

The kinect is great when you have small children as it frees them from having to use the complicated 16 button controller, which is often too big for their hands. However, when Microsoft decided to drop the Kinect Sensor with many console bundles, the take up has been much slower. This has meant that less game developers make games for it. If you have kids though, it’s great for getting them up and moving. Here is a few Kinect games ideally suited to children.

Fruit Ninja Kinect 2

My children love chopping fruit, dodging shuriken and leaping around the living room like ninjas. This fun little game is great for short bursts and enjoys various game modes including Zen mode which is devoid of bombs. The game supports two players and introduces ‘festival modes’ which sees players dodging lights or avoiding throwing stars

Just Dance 2016  (Just Dance® Disney Party 2)

The Just Dance games are some of the most played in my house. Just Dance 2016 has 43 tracks out of the box (including the little Mermaid and Grease) as well as access to Just Dance Unlimited which is another 150+ tracks (for a small monthly subscription). Dancers have various routines to enjoy and include variations for groups, on stage and even chair dancing. With over 200 songs at your fingertips this is the most complete Just Dance to date.  There is also Just Dance Disney Party 2 out on Xbox One for those who are fans of the Disney TV shows such as The Descendants, Liv & Maddie and Violetta, but don’t expect any of the classic movie tracks, this one is strictly Disney Channel content.

Squid Hero / Boom Ball Combo

OK, so this is two games in one but they come in a bundle so I included them together. Both Squid Hero and Boom Ball feel ‘made-for-kinect’ and are a lot of fun for children and adults alike. Boom Ball was the first to come out and is an ‘Arkanoid meets tennis’ game where you use you hands (which are represented as white hands on screen) to bat a ball against blocks, trees and creatures in order to clear the level of blocks. Squid Hero see players as an alien Squid who is tidying up a river after a crash landing on Earth. Players reach for smaller blocks of debris and throw them again larger blocks to smash them up. Both games are good clean fun and do offer quite a workout for the player

Shape Up

The ultimate workout game on the Xbox One has to be Shape Up which literally puts you in the game and makes your digital doppelganger take part of an array of virtual exercises. Players will be doing real world press ups, whilst their digital version does the same except with elephants on his back. There is a range of exercises, each hidden amongst crazy minigames. This really does make exercising fun.

Rabbids Invasion

Rabbids Invasion is an interactive TV show game in which you watch a 3D cartoon of those rascally rabbids get up to all sorts of antics. Think white minions with bunny ears. Throughout the show, there are opportunities to play mini games from simple spotting games (first one to point at a this fish) to running on the spot games to help the characters with their mission. Completing each task earns points which are totalled up at the end of the show. Multiple player can play simultaneously and it’s easy to drop in and out of the game at any point. A really unique title that’s both fun to watch and fun to play.

Zoo Tycoon

This is a classic that was on my previous list but well worth mentioning again in the Kinect section as feeding the animals using Kinect is fantastic and something my children like to go back to again and again.

Non Violent Games

Many of the story driven games mentioned [in this video] do have cartoon violence, monsters and player death. I know my wife would prefer our children’s games to be less violent. Out of the ones already covered, Just Dance, Shape Up, Viva Pinata, and Super Toy Cars do not contain violence. The building section of Disney Infinity and Minecraft also can also avoid this is the creator chooses it. The following two titles do not include any violence or ‘death’ state but may only suite those gamers aged seven and above.

Submerged

Submerged is set in a beautifully realised post-apocalyptic world submerged in water. The story begins with an escaping brother and sister who happen upon a long dead metropolis. You play Miku, the older sister, tasked with helping your injured brother Taku. Armed with a map, telescope, and fishing boat, this third person platforming adventure has no fighting and no failure state. It’s beautiful, serene and easy to play but may be suitable for ages six and above.

Beyond Eyes

Beyond Eyes tells the story of a 10 year old girl called Rae who was blinded as a toddler. In the game Rae must face her anxiety and goes on a journey to find her only friend (her cat) surrounded by an unseen world full of life waiting to be revealed. This is a slow yet beautiful game that stirs emotions and enables players to empathise with the protagonist.

2016 and Beyond:

Kingdom Hearts 3 (Xbox One)

Kingdom Hearts 3 is the third game in the loved RPG franchise and features an older Sora who sets off on an epic adventure with Mickey, Donald and the awesome Goofy through a slew of new and classic Disney worlds. This game has all the ingredients of a child friendly game, classic Disney characters with a strong RPG calibre behind it. The previous games were great but the second one did get decidedly harder, so I hope that the latest game has address that balance and has re-focused on the children that hope to play it. The visuals look stunning and if the story is anything like the previous games then we are in for a delight.

* This does have shadow creatures and enemies in which will need to be fought

Lego Marvel Avengers

The Avengers game brings together over 100 new and returning characters in this epic game that span various films that not only include the avengers movies but also the Thor, Captain America and Iron Man movies. Due for a February release I wonder whether this will have any Lego Dimensions cross over content.

The post Xbox One Games for Children appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Here, we look at the top 3 recent kids’ games based on movies:

School of Dragons

The first movie of the How to Train Your Dragon series was a mega success. And if the hype surrounding its next installment due in 2014 is anything to go by, DreamWorks looks all set for yet another homerun. In the interim between the two releases, a game based on the movie was released by DreamWorks in collaboration with JumpStart, another leading educational games company. Called School of Dragons, this dragon game mixes dragons with science and, surprisingly, manages to pull it off too! As gamers customize their Viking avatars, hatch their dragons, and progress through gameplay, different characters from the movie like Hiccup, Astrid, Stoick, Gobber, and others make crucial appearances. While some video games stick to the movie to the T, others make a departure from the plot and invent something new. School of Dragons is one game that manages to walk the tightrope between the two extremes and comes up with something that is educating as well as entertaining. Quite something for a game that has been in existence for just a couple of months!

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Theoretically speaking, Tintin makes for the perfect video game character – a wildly popular redhead who globetrots looking for treasure. He also puts in some smart detective work, a few fistfights and has a cute canine companion for good measure. But is the video game version of the titular character based on the Spielberg-directed movie of the same name as good as it sounds on paper? It is! While reactions to the game have been mixed, there are a lot of positives to take home from this Ubisoft-published game. If stylized graphics, oodles of charm, classy 2D puzzle-platforming, and intelligent gameplay are your thing, this movie tie-in game is definitely worth playing. The game is based on the plot of the movie. Throughout the game, Tintin runs around underground chambers and corridors of a ship, jumps off walls, and sneaks through snaking passages. Alas! We get to see very little of Snowy in the game.

Madagascar Games in JumpStart

JumpStart, in association with DreamWorks Animation, has a range of mini-games and missions for young lovers of the latest Madagascar installment. While this isn’t a standalone game, there’s an entire area dedicated to all the main characters of the movie, making it a joyride for budding gamers. From jigsaw puzzles of the major characters to hide n’ seek games and more, there is a whole lot that young gamers can do with their favorite Madagascar characters. Rico’s Ka-boom!!! and Hide N Seek with Mort are by far the cutest among the mad MAD things you can do at JumpStart. If missions or quests are more your thing, head over to the Penguin HQ. You can also hop on the Zoo train for some more fun.

It is fascinating to see your favorite characters from movies like How to Train Your Dragon, Tintin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rambo, etc., transform and take up their video game avatars with such aplomb. And the fact that some of these games allow you to be those very movie characters makes them all the more appealing to us gamers!
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The post Top 3 Recent Kids’ Games Based on Movies appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Vices and Virtues of Video Games – Looking at Both Sides of the Coin

Video games rouse hot debates and amidst all the frenzy, it is easy to overlook the positives that these games bring into our lives. In fact, there are many (and I personally know some of them) who would consider using ‘video games and ‘positive’ in the same sentence blasphemous. But that is only one side of the coin. However preposterous it might seem to some, the fact is that there is a good side to online games – one that you and I can see if we are willing to scratch the surface.

I am someone who is willing to see the positive side of video games. In fact, in my opinion, they are the modern-day storytellers!

What Makes Video Games Great Storytellers

One of the essentials of a good storyteller is his ability to make an instant connection with his listeners. It is also the biggest challenge he faces. Likewise, for any video game to be a success, it is important to strike that all-essential instant connection with its players. And as is the case with most popular ones, they always seem to get this aspect down pat. Video games have revolutionized user connectivity by letting them be more than just passive spectators. The video game story develops depending on the actions of the player. The choice he makes and the ones he doesn’t shape up the story and make it all the more engaging for the players.

This brings me to the next most obvious thing – the interactive nature of video games. Many old mediums of storytelling lack this dimension. For example, a great storybook can be a lot of things but it cannot interact with its readers. Games, however, allow us the opportunity to actively participate and even alter the discourse of the story to suit us.

When it comes to a good story, opinions differ. Gender, race, culture, etc. – all play a role in determining what is considered a good story. Irrespective of all these differences, a good story is always imaginative. Whether it is an out-and-out fantasy or a slice-of-life story, what separates a good story from a not-so-good one is imagination. And as far as video games are concerned, there is no dearth of it. This is why it surprises me when I hear parents complain that video games kill imagination in kids! Video games and other online games for kids are both visual and auditory stimulants, urging us to push the envelope and give free rein to our imagination and creativity.

I would have to agree that video games are no alternative to going out and playing. But if a good story or a little nudge to creativity is what you are looking for, then look no further!

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LittleBigPlanet

LittleBigPlanet is a great game, move, jump grab objects manipulate the world in any way you desire. This physics-based game is truly remarkable. The whole family can enjoy this game on the PS3. Many puzzles and just fun multiplayer can truly help develop your child’s personality.

Carnival Island

Use the Playstation Move in this amazing game! Be at a Carnival! Enjoy up to 35 great and classic carnival games. Ring tossing, earning prizes, enjoy carnival rides from your living room. Kids will simply adore the customization abilities that enables them to make their own unique fun house mirror with photo cutouts!

Sing Star Dance

This game is not just about singing, it’s a great game about dancing. By utilizing the Playstation Move controller you can simply dance and show off your great moves. A maximum of four players can dance at the same time. Your child can dance and show great moves and possibly even upload them on sing star dance for others to see. Playstation customer service monitors these very carefully so no inappropriate videos are uploaded.

Eyepet & Friends

Eyepet is back, and now with a friend! Your child will have to manage owning a virtual pet and nurture it, it is simply a unique simulation game. This video game for children can truly help your child’s mental ability to grow.

Hasbro Family game night 3

Hasbro Family game night is a unique game in which the family comes together for exciting mini games. It is a collection of classic, all board games found in a digital manner. You can interact with your child and help him develop his qualities.

Start the Party

This is also another great game that utilizes the Playstation Move. This game has multiple minigames that include a great deal of interaction! Players may have to splat bugs, pick up objects and place them and much more. It is a great game to enjoy with the family as well.

Sing It

An amazing party game, Sing it has features that include duets and head-to-head sing-offs. Not only is this a fun game but players can learn how to sing from here due to the amazing singing tutorials and lessons provided in the game. Even more features include that players are able to see themselves sing and also have the song recorded in high quality. Playstation customer service also monitors this game’s activities.

These are some of the truly amazing games that can help your child’s mental and physical as well as social skills to develop greatly. It can also improve the parent-child bond as these games also have a good sense of interaction and multiplayer features which enable you to help your child develop as well.

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A study in 2011 by a marketing research firm found more than 90 percent of American kids between the ages of two and 17 play video games—a nine percent increase from 2009. The study also showed that significantly more toddlers—children between the ages of two and five—are playing video games now than two years prior. This age group’s interest and time spent playing video games increased by 17 percent—nearly twice the overall growth of the entire study population.

Proponents of toddlers playing video games point out the use of fine motor skills, balance, vocabulary and occasionally spatial reasoning during certain games can only help improve the abilities of young children. Additionally, instructing children in technology at an early age and helping them become fluent in modern tech products will help them adapt and learn as they get older.

The variety of educational programs available to children of all ages is yet another reason video games can be beneficial to toddlers. By helping children learn their colors, alphabet, words, numbers and other basics before they enter the school system, video games can give them a head start.

However, just how helpful using technology, and specifically video games, is under debate. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen use for babies and toddlers, as the organization claims that there are no discernable learning benefits from educational video games.  Research (and the AAP) suggest that babies and toddlers may not derive a boost in learning from educational programming and media devices. Several studies suggest that children under the age of two lack the cognitive ability to understand the moving images on a screen, much less understand the cause-and-effect of video games.

As toddlers up to four years of age are still exploring their world with their developing senses, touching, tasting, feeling, and smelling are the ideal ways for them to learn about their surroundings. Face-to-face interaction and speaking with them to encourage conversation is considered the best way to stimulate their minds. However, for toddlers over the age of two or three, video games can help supplement their education.

How to pick video games for toddlers

Picking the appropriate games for your toddler is key. With the wide variety of educational video games for children available, choose one that suits your toddler’s age, attention span, and interest. Here are some suggested tips on finding the right video game.

• The Leap Frog series is made up of primarily developmental and educational games, for a wide range of ages. Family-friendly and popular, you are likely to find something suitable for your child in this series

• Seseamestreet.org has a section on computer games for kids and is a solid resource for recommendations.

• Another excellent site for detailed information on video games for young children is commonsensemedia.org.

• Multi-player games are excellent for lessons in taking turns and being a good sport

• Look for games that focus on memory and pattern recognition and hand-eye coordination. These games don’t have to be strictly educational, such as puzzles or dress up games, which appeal to the imagination. You can play these games while your toddler gives you direction.

• Stick with games that are rate Early Childhood (EC) or Everyone (E).

Maximize the benefits

Some tips on how to get the most out of the time your toddler spends on video games:

• Limit game time. As noted through research, face-to-face and hands-on play is the best way for young children to learn and experience the world. While educational video games are an excellent supplemental learning tool, it should not take the place of physical exploration. The AAP recommends a maximum of two hours of screen time a day, which includes watching television.

• Make it a family affair. Video games can be an excellent way to bond with your toddler. It is an activity that you can share with your child while teaching them about turn-taking and good sportsmanship. Some games include physical activity which is a great way to work exercise into your day for both you and your child.

Video games can teach, but they are not a substitute for life experience. An excellent way to learn basics like letters and numbers, video gaming can help your child improve in life skills. Ultimately, video games are just another tool in an arsenal of ways to explore the world.

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