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Bookworm Adventures: Vol. 2

(2009, Computer Software - Puzzle, Rated NR, Play it on: Windows)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Word games + combat combine to create fresh sequel.

In this game kids can:   battle others, be creative, kill non-humans (without blood), strategize, whack cartoon characters

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    This game is quite easy to pick up.
  • Educational value:

    This puzzle game has educational component since it is all about learning new words to spell.

     

     

  • Online interaction:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    The game encourages players to spell long and sophisticated words.

     

  • Role models:

    Aside from the combat, which some parents might not like, this game is about mastering the literary world through book reading and spelling.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    While cartoon-like and without blood or gore, this game has a little bookworm named Lex fight against fictional enemies from the literary world. Players do not do the fighting but watch the combat unfold after spelling a word.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Bookworm Adventures: Vol. 2 was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know this casual game combines word puzzles with combat. While kids don't direct the combat -- it just happens on the top of the screen after they spell words -- it's about as tame as a Saturday morning cartoons. Younger kids might not be able to spell the long or tough words that Lex the Bookworm needs to defeat the enemies and thus we have set the age of this game at around 10.

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 whether it was a good idea or not for PopCap to charge for bonus story packs. That is, unlike the first game that was a complete collection of books, this sequel ships with only three books and players will have to pay to download new ones in order to get new content. Great idea or greedy?
Did this review help you decide?
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More on Bookworm Adventures: Vol. 2

What’s the Story?

In case you haven't played the original Bookworm Adventures, this clever word game challenges players to create words by clicking on a 4x4 grid of randomly-placed letters. Not unlike Scrabble, you might scan the available letters and see that you can spell, say, R-A-D-I-O or D-I-A-R-Y. The better the word you create (longer or using more valuable letters, such as V or Z), the more damage our hero Lex can do. You see, PopCap Games' sequel, BOOKWORM ADVENTURES VOLUME 2, also successfully fuses a word game with a combat mechanic that takes place at the top of the screen. Our hapless hero, a little green bookworm named Lex, faces off against enemies in a turn-based fighting game, and depending on the strength of the word you create will knock red hearts from the enemy until it has been defeated. Lex fights against 130 different monsters, animals, and other fictional foes from famous books in the library. Close

Is It Any Good?

Bookworm Adventures Volume 2 ships with three 10-chapter books -- "Fractured Fairytales," "The Monkey King," and "Astounding Planet" -- plus additional books can be downloaded from time to time for a small fee. As with its predecessor, special potions, treasures, and other items give Lex temporary offensive or defensive abilities, plus he can "level up" over time to make him stronger (not unlike a role-playing game). The sequel also adds special wild card rainbow tiles, new treasures to find, and enjoyable literary companions who help you along the way (including Mother Goose and a Cheshire Cat) There are also mini-games and side quests to keep things fresh. If you liked the original, you'll love this sequel! Plus, newcomers who enjoy a challenging word game with a combat twist will also fall for this game's charm. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 7/28/2009, price $19.95, not online enabled
ESRB rating: NR

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 2.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    very fun for my brother age 8, I don't like it but very educational

    I don't really like it because it is it very boring, even though it is educational.

  2. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    like it. very good.

  3. I rate this title off and give it 0.0

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