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Video Games

How Multiplayer Works in Animal Crossing New Horizons

by Stephen Duetzmann February 20, 2020

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is being released on March, 20, 2020. One of the features that players are bound to be excited about is the multiplayer. There is just something about teaming up with your your friends and running around a village in Animal Crossing and it looks like New Horizons is going to give players some great options.

There are two different ways to play with other people. Take a look below to see how they work.

One Switch

Each Nintendo Switch can have a single Animal Crossing: New Horizons deserted island. Each account can have a different island resident with their own home. Up to four of those players can play on the island simultaneously (with separate joy-cons and controllers) using the local multiplayer option.

This is accomplished by one of the players starting Animal Crossing, accessing their NookPhone and “calling” the other players who live on the island. The player who does the calling is the Leader and everyone else is a follower. The leader controls the camera, and can access menus while the followers have to stay on the same screen as the leader. This seems limiting, but it is very easy to change who the leader is using the NookPhone menus.

Up to Eight Switches

Up to eight people can play Animal Crossing: New Horizons using separate Switches. This can be done locally using the Local Play options or Online.

Players access this option by visiting their deserted island’s airport and talking to the Dodo bird. He will give you multiple options for opening up your island to visitors. One of those is a Dodo Code which is essentially a password that anyone can enter in order to join your game. Alternatively you can invite players who you are connected with on Nintendo Switch.

It is worth mentioning that you can designate other players as either Friends or Best Friends. This system existed in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Making someone a Friend prevents them from using the shovel or the axe tools on your island. If they are Best Friends, then they CAN use those tools. Be sure to explain this difference to your kids to avoid trolling or innocent accidents.

What do you think? Were these descriptions helpful? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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February 20, 2020 0 comment

Video Games

30XX Announced!

by Stephen Duetzmann February 19, 2020

written by Stephen Duetzmann

Batterystaple Games, the developers behind the Mega Man X inspired 20XX, have a new game on the horizon. 30XX is poised to take the series to new heights on PC and consoles in 2021. It will make its first appears at PAX East 2020.

30XX builds on the foundation laid by 20XX with new features that include a new art style, new game mechanics, and new combat options for both Nina and Ace.

The “hi-bit” art style is from Glauber Kotaki who was responsible for the gorgeous art in Rogue Legacy and Chasm. These are games that evoke the look and feel of 16-bit era without the limitations on color and detail.

30XX will also include new gameplay mechanics to help keep things interesting. “Memoria” is an in game currency that you collect during your runs. You can spend it on skill boosts, to get a glimpse at the challenges coming later in the stage, or to alter the stage itself! This sounds like a great way to reward players for making multiple runs and could help players recover from a bad start to keep a run going longer.

Nina and Ace are back for more adventure, but this time they will have separate move sets to make the experience of playing as each character distinct. Nina also has a new “power fusion” system that lets her combine the different powers she gets from beating level guardians. Ace will, instead, have a set of “techniques” that he can use to build interesting combos that will help him deal more damage and explore the different stages.

2021 is pretty far away, but I think it will be worth the wait!

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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February 19, 2020 0 comment

Video Games

The Original Nintendo Switch Vs. The Switch Lite

by Stephen Duetzmann February 18, 2020

written by Stephen Duetzmann

Nintendo has done it again. They have iterated on one of their devices and created confusion among parents. We’re going to break down the differences and similarities between the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite.

The Games

We’ll start with the most significant point. There are no games that are exclusive to either the original Switch or the Switch Lite. You don’t have to scrutinize labels on this one. They all work.

The Dock

The biggest selling feature for the Nintendo Switch at launch was the docking technology. Each Switch that was sold included a dock that you could use to have the Switch… well… switch from handheld console (like the 3DS) to a home console (like the PS4).

The Nintendo Switch Lite does not include a dock, and, in fact, it can’t be connected to a television at all. It is a handheld only console. That does mean that it is less flexible that the original Switch.

The Controllers

The original Switch came with a pair of Joy-Con controllers. They can be removed from the sides of the Switch and used as a pair of controllers or combined with a Joy-Con grip into a single controller.

The Switch Lite is an all in one device. There are no detachable controllers. Instead, they are permanently built into the side of the machine. The Lite is compatible with devices like the Switch Pro controller in the event that you wanted to use them. This is key for games like 1, 2, Switch (a party game).

Size

The original Switch is a larger device than the Switch Lite. It measures in at 4 inches tall and 9.4 inches long. It also has a 6.2-inch screen. The Lite, on the other hand, is 3.6 inches tall and 8.2 inches long.

The numbers don’t paint the full picture regarding the size comparison though. The Switch Lite is also significantly lighter.

The Cost

The original Nintendo Switch costs $299.99 and includes a dock, 2 Joy-Cons, and a Joy-Con Grip.

The Nintendo Switch Life, on the other hand, will set you back $199.99.

Which one should I buy?

This is a tough decision, but it is ultimately going to come down to how you imagine your family using it.

If you don’t think that there will ever be a circumstance where you will want to put the Switch in a dock and play the games on the TV, then the original Switch is likely overkill. There is no reason to spend an additional $100 for a fancy charging dock for your Switch.

However, if you think that the opposite is true, even to a relatively small degree, then you will need to determine if it is worth that additional $100 charge for the ability to use it on the TV.

What do you think? Which would you want to buy? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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February 18, 2020 0 comment

Video Games

Hokko Life Is Animal Crossing on PC and It Looks Great!

by Stephen Duetzmann February 13, 2020

written by Stephen Duetzmann

A minute-ish long trailer and a press kit are the only things we have that explain the upcoming Steam Early Access game Hokko Life. That’s fine though. We’re excited anyway.

Hokko Life is a community sim like Animal Crossing that will be released on Steam Early Access sometime in 2020. It features a focus on creativity and expression that is only going to get better as the game progresses through Open Access.

Game Features

Below are some of the core mechanics that have been announced so far. It’s going into Early Access though, so the sky really is the limit.

CRAFT

“Head to the forest or the abandoned mine to chop; mine, and dig for resources. Take what you’ve collected back to town and craft them into materials you can use in your own designs.”

It feels like every game has a crafting system nowadays, but that is because crafting is a great way to keep people engaged. It also makes exploring the map more entertaining as you never know what interesting resources you might find. I’m interested to see how deep the crafting system progresses as we move towards a full release.

DESIGN

“Gather your materials and head into the workshop to put your own spin on every item in the game. Use the design table to build your own furniture, combining different shapes and materials in a simple but powerful editor.”

The design feature is one of the most exciting bits of Hokko Life. Animal Crossing has design options too, but this is a PC game so I can imagine that there will be some very cool options. I can’t wait to build an Engaged Family Gaming themed house in my village!

PAINT

“Pop on your overall, get out those brushes and throw some colour down. You can design wallpaper, flooring and even T-Shirts for you and the villagers to wear. Get everyone in town wearing your own unique designs!”

I’m excited about the painting tools as well. It will be very interesting to see what kids come up with.

BUILD & DECORATE

“Enlist the help of the resident builder and start expanding the town. Place buildings wherever you like and get them ready for new villagers to move to town. Customize these new homes inside and out; choose designs and place furniture to make a home your new friends will love.”

Town building is one of my favorite game mechanics. I LOVE moving buildings around and lining up beautiful streets. The options shown in the trailer look great!

FARM

“Turn any plot of land into a place to grow vegetables and other plants, use your green fingers to grow and sell the best produce.”

I have to admit that i’m a little cooler on farming games than I am on some of the other mechanics in Hokko Life. I always end up stressing out about how inefficient I am being (even if I’m doing well). This has caused me to restart after three game days in Stardew Valley more times than I am comfortable putting in writing.

FISH

“Spend a quiet morning at the various fishing spots around the world of Hokko and build your fishing collection. Fish have unique habits, so you’ll need to vary your approach, with each catch providing it’s own challenge when you reel in.”

I’ve spent a lot of time fishing in video games over the years. So much time, in fact, that you might think that I would enjoy it in real life. I don’t! But, that won’t stop me from enjoying the fishing here. This is going to be less about the mechanics, and more about obsessively collecting all of the different fish in the game.

BUG HUNT

“Fluttering and scuttling about the world of Hokko you’ll find a whole range of insects for you to catch and build your collection with; keep an eye out, you never know what might be hiding in that bush!”

The bug hunting mechanics will, similarly to fishing, be all about collecting a wide array of bugs available during different seasons. This will likely be very similar to the bug hunting in Animal Crossing, but that’s more than OK.

The Trailer!

What do you think? Are you picking this one up? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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February 13, 2020 0 comment

Video Games

Family Video Game Review – Concrete Genie

by Guest Writer February 12, 2020

written by Guest Writer

Written by Mike Melkonian of CardboardConsole.com

Concrete Genie is currently available for PlayStation 4 and is playable on PSVR.

In a gaming landscape filled with epic AAA blockbusters, it’s refreshing to see a smaller, experimental game come out of Sony’s Worldwide Studios. Players take on the role of Ash, a young artist living in the now deserted town of Denska, and must use the power of his imagination, as well as a magic paint brush, to restore his hometown to its former glory.

Developed by the small team at PixelOpus, Concrete Genie follows in the tradition of games like Flower and Journey to create a unique and artistic experience that, while not challenging in the way a satisfying game typically should be, provides the player with a solid six hours of eye candy, therapeutic play, and deeply thematic moments of self reflection.

Gameplay

Concrete Genie combines elements from various genres to create a one of a kind single player campaign, but is at its core an environmental puzzle game. Players must paint “genies” (which can be customized to the players liking) on the walls of Denska, and use their unique properties to progress past various obstacles (for example, fire genies can burn down wooden crates blocking Ash’s way, electric genies can power generators needed to operate machines, etc).

There is also quite a bit of platforming in the game, and the animations of Ash scaling the various walls and environments of Denska look strikingly similar to Nathan Drake’s animations in the Uncharted series, to the point where I think PixelOpus is intentionally trolling their fellow Sony studio, Naughty Dog. The game also provides quite the scavenger hunt for all of the missing pages in Ash’s sketch book, and this collectathon will keep players engaged long after the main story is over.

Critiques

Even though this is a game aimed a younger audience, the developers could have provided a *little* more challenge. Players who have ANY experience with games will find Concrete Genie a breeze to get through, and while I understand this may have been an intentional choice, some more difficult side/optional content would have been appreciated.

Is it okay for kids? Absolutely! I think anyone between the ages of 6 and 12 will likely enjoy this game, and I strongly suggest that people play Concrete Genie as a family activity. There are so many themes for a kid to relate to, including some relatively heavy subject matters such as divorce and parental fighting, that it may be helpful for parents to play along and explain the meaning of certain interactions to their kids when it’s needed.

Conclusion

While the simplistic gameplay holds it back a bit, there is no denying the sheer amount of heart that went into crafting this product. It is a truly beautiful game, and at an affordable price, I would say Concrete Genie is a must buy for any PS4 owners with kids, and even those without.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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February 12, 2020 0 comment

Parent Resources Video Games

A Parent’s Guide to Pokemon Home

by Stephen Duetzmann February 4, 2020

written by Stephen Duetzmann

The Pokémon Company has finally revealed the details for Pokémon Home. It will launch in February 2020 on iOS, Android, and on Nintendo Switch.

The Pitch

Pokémon Home is a subscription service that acts as a replacement to Pokémon Bank. The service is both a mobile and switch app. The core purpose of the service is to allow players to start the Pokémon they have captured or bred in various Pokémon games in the cloud and upload them into compatible games.

How Does it Work?

Subscribers can connect their Pokémon Home account to a Nintendo account. Once that is complete then they will be able to connect to compatible games and services to transfer Pokémon into their “home.” They can then transfer those Pokémon from their “home” into compatible games.

The games that Pokémon Home can currently connect to are:

Pokémon Sword

Pokémon Shield

Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu

Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee

Pokémon Home cannot currently connect to Pokémon Go, but that functionality will be added in the future.

Pokémon Home can also connect to Pokémon Bank. This is the only way for players to bring their Pokémon from Pokémon games on the 3DS and earlier into Home.

Features

Trading

Pokémon Home serves another purpose aside from acting as cloud storage for your Pokémon collection. It allows you to trade your Pokémon to help fill out your Pokedex through a bunch of different methods.

Wonder Box

Wondertrading in Pokémon is the act of offering up a Pokémon from your collection in exchange for a random Pokémon that someone else has offered up using the same feature. This is one of my favorite features in Pokémon games because I am always surprised at the interesting things that people are willing to give away. A lot of times I will end up receiving Pokémon that competitive players have been bred that don’t have perfect stats. This is great for casual fans who aren’t concerned with stats and just want to build a collection.

The free version of Pokémon Home allows you to Wondertrade one Pokémon at a time. The premium version bumps that number up to three.

GTS

The Global Trade System (GTS) allows you to offer up one of your Pokémon and list it online requesting to trade it for another specific Pokémon. This is a good way to build your collection if you are looking to catch ‘em all, because you can put up duplicates of rare Pokémon you own to trade specific Pokémon that you need to complete your collection.

The free version of Pokémon Home allows you to put one Pokémon at a time into the GTS. The premium version bumps that number up to three.

Room Trade

Another of Pokémon Home’s great features is Room Trading. You can use the apps to create rooms that nearby friends can join to trade their Pokémon. Anyone can join a Room, but only Premium Subscribers can create one.

Friend Trade

Friend Trade is a feature that allows you to trade Pokémon with players who you have become friends with on the service.

Other Features

Trading isn’t all though. There are several other useful features in Pokémon Home to consider.

National Pokédex

Any Pokémon you bring into Pokémon Home will be registered to your National Pokedex. This will bring you one step closer to catching them all!

Mystery Gifts

Mystery gifts are a big part of the Pokémon experience. The Pokémon Company regularly distributes them as part of events and sometimes just for fun. The Pokémon home service lets you redeem the gift codes you find without having to get out your Switch. There will even be Mystery Gifts that exclusive to Pokémon Home.

Judge Pokémon

Premium subscribers have access to the Judge function. This is a tool that lets you carefully examine your Pokémon to determine how strong they are. This is a must for competitive players who are looking to build the perfect team.

How Much Does it Cost?

There are three purchase options for the Premium Subscription.

1 month (30 days) – $2.99
3 months (90 days) – $4.99
12 months (365 days) – $15.99

Advice

The free version of Pokémon Home is a no brainer for anyone with more than one Pokémon game. It adds limited functionality to your games for no charge.

The premium version of the service is a tougher nut to crack. You need to evaluate your activity level and your enthusiasm for Pokémon to determine if it is worth it. I think the biggest question is if you have Pokémon in the Pokémon bank. If you do, then the premium service is the only way to access them and bring them forward.

Do you have a question we didn’t address here? Leave your question in the comments and we will reply and add to the guide!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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Other Guides

There are a ton of other premium video game services out there so we wrote guides for all of them. Take a look below:

A Parent’s Guide to EA Origins Access

A Parent’s Guide to EA Access

A Parent’s Guide to the Xbox Game Pass

A Parent’s Guide to PlayStation Now

A Parent’s Guide to PlayStation Plus

A Parent’s Guide to Nintendo Switch Online

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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February 4, 2020 0 comment

Video Games

8 Great Games for Your Nintendo Switch Under $20!

by Stephen Duetzmann January 15, 2020

written by Stephen Duetzmann

So. You have a Nintendo Switch. You’ve got all the important games: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart Deluxe, etc. Here are some suggestions for more games to play that won’t break the bank!

Fortnite

Warner Bros Fortnite: Deep Freeze Bundle - Nintendo Switch

Price: $65.99

(FYI Fortnite is a free to play game which is why I’m including it for under $20. The above bundle is actually $30 and includes a bunch of different stuff.)

It’s really impossible to talk about inexpensive games on the Nintendo Switch without addressing the fortress sized elephant in the room. Fortnite is free. And it is everywhere. Chances are very good that your kid has been bugging you to play Fortnite for a while if they aren’t playing it already. The Switch is a great place to play it.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

Price: Out of stock

Stardew Valley is a farming simulator with a LOT of extras. There is a dungeon with randomly generated floors full of loot and an abandoned community center that you rebuild through offerings to tiny beings that live there. Fishing is just about the best part of the game with a simple yet challenging minigame. Like many other games in the genre, you can court citizens in town and spend whole seasons looking for a specific item. This is a great game to get lost in and is a steal at $19.99 on the Switch.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

Price: $14.99

Hollow Knight is a side-scrolling action platformer, with many items to find and powers to unlock. This game easily can take 40-50 hours to complete with the expansive map and numerous bosses. You take on the role of a mask-wearing beetle (I’m not entirely sure what he is) wielding a nail to take out the foes that are encroaching your town.

This is a very difficult game, but there is a lot of content here to keep you coming back. Completing challenges is a big part of the draw here and there is a LOT of content to explore.

The Messenger

The Messenger - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

Price: $19.99

Simply put… The Messenger is a modern response to the Ninja Gaiden series from the NES era. Sabotage Studio is a team full of people who love that game and have gone out of their way to show their reverence in game form.

It isn’t an easy game, but the experience is well worth the effort. The soundtrack alone is worth spending time with the game. But, exploring the different levels AND playing with the time travel mechanics are rewarding.

This is definitely a game that needs to be on your radar.

Wizard of Legend

Wizard of Legend - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

Price: $15.99

Wizard of Legend is an amazing cooperative combat game. It is also the best Avatar: The Last Airbender game ever made. You play as a wizard who use various elemental spells to travel through mazes and battle monsters. This is a challenging game for sure, but dying is part of the fun!

Might Gunvolt Burst

Mighty Gunvolt Burst

Mighty Number 9 was a pretty big disappointment. I know our house had high expectations that it would help fill in the gaps that Mega Man’s absence left behind. All was not lost though. Mighty Gunvolt Burst is a crossover game that includes Both Beck from Mighty Number 9, but also the hero from Azure Striker Gunvolt. This is a simple, inexpensive game that delivers on all of the promises that Mighty Number 9 made.

Picross S / Picross S2

Picross S Link

Picross S2 Link

Picross is a great puzzle game for people who are on the go. It is easy to pick up and learn, but hard to master. Picross S1 is a steal for the price and you can get both S1 and S2 for under $20. If you are a fan of puzzle games I would recommend that you get this game!

Yoku’s Island Express

Link

In Yoku’s Island Express, you play Yoku, a dung beetle and the new postmaster to the island Mokumana. During your platforming journey, you will meet many colorful settings and characters. But there is a catch, unlike most platformers, your main character can’t jump. Instead, you traverse the world using pinball-like paddles to get around. Yoku has a fairly short campaign, clocking in around 6 hours.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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January 15, 2020 0 comment

Parent Resources Video Games

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 – Subscription Gaming Services

by Stephen Duetzmann November 25, 2019

written by Stephen Duetzmann

People buy a lot of games. That can make it incredibly challenging for those of us that want to buy cool games for the gamers in our lives. Fortunately, every console (including PC) has a subscription subscription service. These make “practical” gifts that will always be appreciated.

These services can all be purchased for various lengths of time to accommodate your budget. You don’t even need to worry about whether they are subscribed or not. `You can purchase a subscription card for them and the time will be added to the end of their existing subscription!

Take a look at the options below to see what you might need!

PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus is a subscription service for PlayStation that is required in order to play online multiplayer games over the PlayStation Network. The service also includes periodic discounts on digital purchases through the PlayStation Network. It also includes a suite of free PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation VR games that are available for free each month.

(We wrote a parent’s guide for PlayStation Plus. Take a look here for a full explanation!)

PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now (PSNow) is a Netflix-esque streaming service for PlayStation 4 and PC. Subscribers have unlimited access to stream a collection of PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 games over the internet on their PlayStation 4 console or PC.

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is a service that allows unlimited downloads of a wide range of games on the Xbox One for a relatively low monthly fee.

We wrote a parent’s guide to Xbox Game Pass. Take a look here for a full explanation!)

Xbox Live Gold

Xbox Live Gold is a subscription service for Xbox that is required in order to play online multiplayer games over Xbox Live. The service also includes periodic discounts on digital purchases through the Xbox Marketplace. It also includes a suite of free Xbox One and Xbox 360 games that are available for free each month.

(We wrote a parent’s guide to this service. Take a look here for a full explanation!)

EA Access

EA Access is an Xbox One exclusive subscription service run by Electronic Arts that gives subscribers early access to EA games, discounts on digital purchases, and access to the “EA Vault.”

(We wrote a parent’s guide to this service. Take a look here for a full explanation!)

EA Origins Access

Origins Access is a PC subscription service run by Electronic Arts that gives subscribers early access to EA games, discounts on digital purchases, and access to the “Origins Vault.”

(We wrote a parent’s guide to this service. Take a look here for a full explanation!)

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch online is a service that allows online multiplayer for Nintendo Switch games as well as cloud saves, and a suite of NES games.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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November 25, 2019 0 comment

Video Games

Family Video Game Review – Ring Fit Adventure

by Jeffrey Walker November 7, 2019

written by Jeffrey Walker

Ring Fit Adventure is the next accessory and game that Nintendo has released to help gamers become comfortable with fitness. In this game, you are your own avatar trying to defeat the evil body builder Dragaux. The method of beating this bad guy? Your own perseverance and fitness techniques! Along with the main game, you will also receive a leg strap and a ring-con in the box. Both are essential to playing this game. Your left joy-con goes into the leg strap and it measures your leg movements.

The game asks you to squat, get down on the ground and do leg lifts, and even run upstairs and through murky swamps using high knees. While using the leg con, I found that it kept slipping while wearing it over my workout shorts, but if I put it directly on my skin, it would not slip. The right joy-con goes into the ring-con accessory. It is essentially a pilates ring that you can attach a joy-con to. You can squeeze it and pull it to pull off certain actions and attacks in the game. Overall, both the leg strap and ring-con are working together to make your workout complete.

Ring Fit Adventure is the next accessory and game that Nintendo has released to help gamers become comfortable with fitness.

The Good

After using this game for a few days, I can definitely say that my limbs are hurting. That is the sign that the workout regime is doing what they say it’s supposed to do. During the campaign you will face different colored monsters. Each color is based off of a different type of workout. This works out well so that you are not completely focusing on one type of workouts. For instance, I did not care for the yoga stretches, but if I came across a green enemy I did them so that I could get an advantage. Each time you turn on the game, your workout starts with stretching and at the end of each play session you do a cool down stretch. The joy-con on the ring-con can even read your heartbeat by using the IR sensor in the right joy-con. There are also a variety of mini games that you can play. During the campaign you can play them at certain spots in your adventure to earn experience. You can also play them with your friends and family to have a fun time and try to beat each other’s scores. There is also a mode that allows you to get reps in without the television being turned on.

The Bad

The story of Ring Fit Adventure is not captivating at all. It’s your typical the big bad boss stole these important items and now we must go and find them. The main reason you should pick up and play this game is not because of the story. You should play this game to help you become healthier. Also, your avatar is really generic. It would be nice to pick a different body shape with the avatar and to change it as I’ll hopefully be using this game for a while. Just like any exercise routine, if you get out of the habit of using it, these items will start collecting dust like all the Wii Fit Boards around the world.

Is this alright for children?

This is a tough question to answer. My 3-year-old daughter was doing the exercises right next to me, but she did not pick up the ring-con or use the leg strap. I do not think the leg strap would stay on tiny legs very well. The ring-con is also hard to squeeze tightly, which may make it hard for some kids to progress in the story.

Conclusion

Ring Fit Adventure – Nintendo Switch

Price: Check on Amazon

Ring Fit Adventure tries to break the mold of fitness games by adding an RPG experience while working out. Just like any fitness game, it will only be worthwhile if you continue to keep up with your exercises. This game is exactly what I need to help me to work out and become healthier. This dad gives it a big thumbs up! Now I’m going to crash out on my couch because my legs hurt too much.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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November 7, 2019 0 comment

Video Games

Is Grand Theft Auto V Ok For Kids?

by Stephen Duetzmann August 5, 2019

written by Stephen Duetzmann

Grand Theft Auto V was developed by Rockstar Games and published by Take 2 Interactive on September 17, 2013. It was originally released on the PS3 and Xbox 360, but it has since been ported to the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. There are even rumors of an upcoming port to the Nintendo Switch (although those rumors have yet to be substantiated).

GTAV is easily one of the most popular games on Earth and it is infamously M-rated for violence, sexual content, etc. Even when you consider its legendary place as a mature game I STILL get questions about whether or not people should let their kids play.

So, without further delay, here is my answer to the question: Is Grand Theft Auto V ok for kids?

First, I want to refer folks to the ESRB. They rate is as M for Mature and have given it the following rating summary:

In this open-world action game, players assume the role of three criminals whose storylines intersect within the fictional city of Los Santos. Players can switch between each character to follow his storyline, completing missions which often include criminal activities (e.g., stealing cars, executing heists, assassinating targets). Players use pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles, and explosives to kill various enemies (e.g., rival gang members); players also have the ability to shoot non-adversary civilians, though this may negatively affect players’ progress as a penalty system triggers a broad police search. Blood-splatter effects occur frequently, and the game contains rare depictions of dismemberment. In one sequence, players are directed to use various instruments and means (e.g., pipe wrench, tooth removal, electrocution) to extract information from a character; the sequence is intense and prolonged, and it involves some player interaction (i.e., responding to on-screen prompts). The game includes depictions of sexual material/activity: implied fellatio and masturbation; various sex acts that the player’s character procures from a prostitute—while no nudity is depicted in these sequences, various sexual moaning sounds can be heard. Nudity is present, however, primarily in two settings: a topless lap dance in a strip club and a location that includes male cult members with exposed genitalia in a non-sexual context. Within the game, TV programs and radio ads contain instances of mature humor: myriad sex jokes; depictions of raw sewage and feces on a worker’s body; a brief instance of necrophilia (no nudity is depicted). Some sequences within the larger game allow players to use narcotics (e.g., smoking from a bong, lighting a marijuana joint); cocaine use is also depicted. Players’ character can, at various times, consume alcohol and drive while under the influence. The words “f**k,” “c*nt,” and “n**ger” can be heard in the dialogue.

As you can see, GTAV is full of content that is inappropriate for kids.

To put my answer another way: