Meet The Robinsons offers lots of puzzle solving and fun adventure play (aimed at a young audience).
Meet The Robinsons
Publisher: Buena Vista Games
Platform(s): Game Boy Advance, Game Cube, Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox 360
Rating: E – Everyone 10+
Game type: Action
*** 1/2 (out of 5)
What’s the premise?
Use your wits, guile and some really neat-o gadgets to help Wilbur Robinson save the future from some sinister bad guys in this adventure that runs parallel to the plot of the new Disney film.
This game is most similar to…?
Jak & Daxter.
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
This one’s great fare for littler ones — there’s lots of puzzle solving and fun adventure play, with a minimum of rough stuff (just a little robot disassembling).
One player or more?
The whole Robinson clan is in the game (including Carl the robot and Uncle Art, voiced by Adam West and Harlan Williams, respectively), but you can only play Wilbur and just by yourself.
What’s missing?
As an accompanying piece to a Disney flick, this game is aimed at a younger audience and as a result it’s a tad simple for experienced gamers. Different challenge levels might’ve been nice.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Just have fun. The puzzles are simple and the action isn’t exactly death-defyingly exciting, so just enjoy the adventure.
And in the end?
It may not be the toughest test you’ll ever face, but Meet The Robinsons is still a pretty good time for a wide range of gamers.
The multiplayer modes are the best part of Armored Core 4.
Armored Core 4
Publisher: Sega
Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Rating: T — Teen
Game type: Action
***
What’s the premise?
Climb into the cockpit of the Earth’s mightiest robot weapons and engage in over 30 missions to help make the world’s cities safe.
This game is most similar to…?
MechWarrior.
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
There’s no blood and guts, but the robot-on-robot violence is still probably more than any youngsters should see.
One player or more?
The multiplayer modes are the best part of this game. You can go head-to-head with a split screen or take on up to seven other heavily armed competitors online.
What’s missing?
A challenge. There are tons of missions to choose from, but few are truly tough to beat. If not for the multiplayer modes, this game would be over far too fast.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Ummmm… blow up the bad guys and don’t get hit? It’s really not that hard. Really.
And in the end?
Unless you’re a franchise loyalist or are looking for a game to breeze through, it’s probably just a renter.
jonathan.kuehlein@metronews.ca
