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Spectrobes

(2007, Video Games - Role Playing Games, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Pokemon wannabe gets boring fast.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    You are the hero trying to defeat evil.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Anime fighting, but it isn't graphic.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Spectrobes was written by Anise Hollingshead

Parents need to know that this role-playing game involves fighting in a bloodless manner, as well as excavating fossils. It introduces a new form of play on the DS because each game comes with collectible cards. Kids place a card on top of the DS screen to unlock new material by sticking the stylus through holes in the card.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how this game presents a story of good versus evil. Since evil is attacking, the game requires you to defend yourself. Does that make fighting seem more noble or justified? What do you like about this game? How could you make it better?
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More on Spectrobes

What’s the Story?

In this role-playing game (RPG), players help Rallen and Jeena, two young Planetary Patrol officers, protect their world from attack by the evil Krawl. They do so by finding, training, and growing Spectrobes, otherworldly creatures who are good at battling the Krawl. A Spectrobe is also able to detect other dormant Spectrobes hidden under the ground in fossil form.

Using an awakened Spectrobe, you scan an area and, if there are items underground, help the Spectrobe excavate using the stylus and blowing into the microphone. To shake things up a bit, players occasionally visit the ship and unload the items. Periodically, you will need to battle the Krawl. Two Spectrobes fight in a team along with Rallen.

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Is It Any Good?

There are seemingly neat features in SPECTROBES, such as the multiplayer mode for battles and the downloadable content available through Wi-fi, but to unlock these features, players must spend a large amount of time excavating in order to find the requisite cubes. The game does introduce a cool, new feature to the DS: adding content by using collectible cards. Kids place an enclosed card on top of the DS screen to unlock new material by sticking the stylus through holes in the card.

It becomes apparent early on that this seemingly exciting game is anything but. Too much time is spent finding items hidden in the ground in very repetitive gameplay. The worlds are plain with not much to see except grass and rocks; Rallen and Jeena don't have much expression and their conversation is limited. Spectrobes tries to be a different sort of RPG, but its repetitive gameplay and simple battle mode kills kids' interest.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 03/12/2007, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Everyone)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    5y

    4ty5

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

    ok for 7+

    ok

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title off for age 5 and give it 2.0

    honestly.....it's just boring, even for small children

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