American Girl Kit: Mystery Challenge! (E)

Doll-based mysteries aren't interactive enough.

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Common Sense rates it
2
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details
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Genre: Video Games - Role Playing Games
  • Release Date: 06/30/2008
  • Platform(s): Nintendo DS
  • Online Enabled: No
  • ESRB Rating: E
  • Price: $29.99

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a game based on the American Girl doll Kit Kittredge. While there are both a movie and book about this doll, this Nintendo DS game doesn't relive either version. This is a game about solving a series of mysteries, but unfortunately, it doesn't allow players much interaction in the process of being a sleuth.

Families can talk about which of the six mysteries they liked best. What was the Great Depression? What did Kit's family do to get out of their financial difficulties? Do any of your relatives remember what it was like to live during the Depression?

Message

Social Behavior:

Kit tries to help others by solving mysteries.

Consumerism:

This game is based on the American Girl dolls franchise, and the Kit Kittredge doll.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Educational Value:

Some logic required in some of the gameplay.

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jinny Gudmundsen

AMERICAN GIRL KIT: MYSTERY CHALLENGE!, a video game played on the Nintendo DS, offers fans of the American Girl doll, Kit Kittredge, an opportunity to help her solve six mysteries. By controlling Kit's movements around her house, yard, and neighborhood, she can look for clues and talk to people to collect evidence. In one of the mysteries, Kit uncovers who left the chicken coop open so that some of the chickens escaped. In another, she finds some missing pearls.

Unfortunately, the gameplay is awkward. You move Kit by using the DS multi-directional controller, but to talk to someone, you must pick up the DS stylus to tap a person on screen. There are other actions that require you to put down the stylus and use the "A" button.

Is it any good?

2
On the plus side, this is a game that requires children to read. And it automatically keeps track of testimony and physical clues you find. You must use logic to solve the mysteries because you have to charge someone and support your claim with three pieces of evidence.

But the negatives are plenty with the most glaring problem that you have no interactivity when talking to others. The narrative just rolls along without any input from you. And all this moving around with little of no interactivity gets boring quickly

How to play

  • Playability: Easy. But with too little interactivity.
  • Reading Required: None
  • Graphics: Good, but camera angles can get messed up and you can't see.
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/30/08 by camytza25 Kid contributor, age 13

I laughed

the game is super!!!

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Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/30/08 by camytza25 Kid contributor, age 13

I laughed

the game is super!!!
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