That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene - E

Disney's Raven uses psychic power to sleuth.

Publisher: Buena Vista Games Category/Genre: Video Games - Girl Video Games Platform: Nintendo DS Price: $29.00 Online Enabled: No Graphics: Average graphics for the DS. Playability: Easy gameplay for young players. Reading Level: Light Release Date: 11/02/2006 ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this game is based on the Disney TV show That's So Raven. The character of Raven is a psychic who has "visions" that reveal clues to the mystery, but this is a very small part of the game and isn't interactive.

Families can talk about how Raven is a portrayed as being a clairvoyant teen. What do you think it would be like to be psychic? Would you want to be able to see the future, past, or other unknown things? Is this game similar to the TV show? If you weren't familiar with the show, would this game still be fun?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Anise Hollingshead

Raven, the star of the hit Disney TV show That's So Raven, makes her debut on the Nintendo DS in THAT'S SO RAVEN: PSYCHIC ON THE SCENE. It seems that someone is trying to sabotage the local community theater and Raven decides to enlist the help of her friends to expose the culprit.

This game is designed as a point-and-click adventure, similar to traditional 3rd-person game on the PC. Raven travels to several locations to talk to characters and collect objects as clues. She uses these objects to accomplish certain tasks and collect items for other characters who can help her out. These tasks aren't a huge challenge for tween players.

Mini-games and activities have been cleverly incorporated into the adventure. Many times Raven will need a disguise to enter into a forbidden area, and once she's collected the necessary clothing items, she can enter a dressing room and change her outfit. This dressing room can also be used to change her general appearance, which is player-directed. Tweens will get a kick out of designing an outfit for Raven that she wears in the game. You can also buy fashion accessories and new tunes with money Raven earns in the game.

The other mini-games are simple and mostly arcade-style, but they are well designed and offer solid gameplay. Kids will find a dancing game, Squish-A-Bug (like Wac-a-Mole with bugs you can squish when they match), Crazy Cook (using the DS stylus in a manner similar to Cooking Mama), Feed the Mob (where you rush around to satisfy diners' orders), and Super Seamstress (an unusual variation of a "connect the dots" game).

That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene is a well designed game that has a lot of entertainment value. The intriguing adventure, coupled with the fun activities and mini-games, ensure a good time the first time around and also lots of replay value with the mini-games. Two of the mini-games can be played with a friend.

The only drawbacks: the game may be too easy for some kids, and some parents may object to the psychic-power angle.

For other fun Nintendo DS games, check out Yoshi's Island and New Super Mario Bros. For another good tween girl mystery, try Barbie Diaries: High School Mystery for the PC.

Reviewed: 01/27/2007

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence
Language The word "dang" is used.
Message
	Social Behavior Raven solves a mystery and helps people.
	Commercialism Based on the Disney show That's So Raven.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Players must use logic to solve the mystery.