It's definitely a fun game to play. Some of the puzzles that have to be solved to move the story forward are a bit tricky for a 5 year old, though. I am a bit uncomfortable with some of the fighting that is required, but overall it's OK. I like the messages that it sends about teamwork and the problem solving that needs to take place to move on to different levels.
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Ben 10: Alien Force
(2008, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E10+)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Nice sci-fi idea, but hampered by bad controls.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Language:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Ben 10: Alien Force was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Parents need to know that, because of the poorly designed controls, kids may become quickly frustrated by the game. In terms of violence, there is fist fighting, and the aliens have wild weapons and powers. You play as a hero who saves the world, so it is an empowering game.
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 many video games are based on TV shows or movies. Is this a good thing? Did playing this game make you want to watch the TV show? Or did you choose this game because you are already a fan of the show? Did it live up to your expectations? Which of Ben's helpful aliens would you be in real life?
More on Ben 10: Alien Force
What’s the Story?
In late 2005, Ben 10 began as a sci-fi animated program on the Cartoon Network. BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE is a video game based on the lastest series, Alien Force, which began earlier this year and features the plucky Ben Tennyson, a kid with a special watch that lets him transform into various aliens to help save the world. In this game, Ben's grandfather is missing just as the creepy Highbreed marauders plot to take over the world. To defeat these evil doers, Ben teams up with his pals and dials up five alien forces from his handy Omnitrix.
You'll begin as two aliens and add some special powers quickly in the initial amusement park level. Helpful aliens can be summoned via the Wii remote D-pad. You move forward and around via the nunchuk. And you can fight via button-pressing or by shaking the Wii remote. Pressing the "A" button with another Wii remote allows for a pal to jump in and fight in coop mode at any time.
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Is It Any Good?
Almost everything about Alien Force seems great -- except for the game controls. The story is cool and hip, as is the dialog. The artwork, although slightly jaggy due to the Wii's lack of processing power, is top notch. The voice acting is also top shelf: it never seems like actors aren't into their roles. And the idea of shape-shifting into various aliens is a good one that's full of thunder and fireworks when you transform.
But when it comes down to game mechanics, Alien Force is a mess. You can't move the camera around at all. So when you want to judge distance in jumping, say, to a platform in the water, it's really difficult. Even though it's a 3-D game, you have no depth perception. So you end up dead in the water. Also, when you try to run then jump, sometimes the controls only allow you to run. If you're jumping over water or fire, you might be doomed if the controls screw up. Even though the game's levels are short, this really could have been a terrific buy … if they had taken a few more months to get the controls in line. As it stands, this one's for true fans only.
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Publisher’s Details
Released on 10/28/2008, price $39.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Cartoon Violence)
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Cartoon Violence)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Aliens beware!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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For Your Family
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