Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Reptile fighter with realistic dinos and mild violence.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D pits dinosaurs against each other in one-on-one combat. The creatures look real and animate naturally, but the violence is moderate; despite being bitten and tail-whipped, they show no sign of blood. It’s clearly designed to appeal to kids who are passionate about these powerful reptiles. Players can also unlock “fun facts” that provide more information about the animals they see. Parents need to remember that Nintendo is warning parents not to allow kids age six and under to view the graphics in 3D because that viewing "may cause vision damage." The Nintendo 3DS offers parents the ability to lock out the use of 3D graphics in the system's Parental Controls.

  • This game is designed to appeal to dinosaur-loving kids, thanks to its accurate physical depictions of dinosaurs. Raw animal aggression plays a role, too.
  • The only characters in the game are mute, aggressive dinosaurs. Players take on the role of one of these creatures, engaging in combat with other dinosaurs.
  • The controls for dodging and attacking are tight and responsive, and once you get a handle on the rhythm of each battle, they become fairly easy.
  • Dinosaurs ram, tail whip, and bite, knocking each other down and over ledges. Their death is implied upon defeat, though players see no blood or physical injuries.

What's it about?

COMBAT OF GIANTS: DINOSAURS 3D tells of the story of good dinosaurs battling the most powerful of predators and his minions. Players select a dinosaur from one of four groups -- defenders, chargers, predators, and hunters -- and begin lumbering through jungles and deserts looking for one-on-one battles. These fights see the huge reptiles taking turns attacking and dodging until one of them falls over, life meter depleted, or is pushed off a cliff. As the game progresses players collect equipment, such as armor plating, claws, and tails, that are used to improve their dino's battle prowess, as well as bones that can unlock fun facts about some of the game's creatures. Players can also trade items via local WiFi connections, or have them battle each other automatically and without guidance in StreetPass mode.


Is it any good?

 

Kids who love dinosaurs will probably love this game, which is a showcase for the 3DS’ graphical power. The creatures here look terrific, lumbering and prancing around with great realism. The battles only serve to enhance the realism, foregoing over-the-top moves in favor of semi-realistic looking tail strikes and horn-filled headbutts. Dino fans will also appreciate the factoids they unlock while playing.

That said, the action tends toward monotony. Our dinos wander along extremely linear paths until they bump into an enemy. Once you do find a fight, all players need do to win is pay attention to onscreen instructions and watch their enemies for simple cues. After you've developed a feel for the battle's rhythm, the action becomes easy and repetitious. Upgrades and special costumes add a bit of spice, but this one is best left in the hands of those for whom it was intended: kids who are crazy about giant lizards.

Online interaction: Players can trade dinosaur items with friends in local WiFi mode. Two players' dinosaurs can automatically battle each other or exchange gifts in StreetPass mode. No communication is involved, and no personal information is exchanged.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about other ways to learn more about dinosaurs. Does your local science center offer dinosaur camps? Will your teachers permit special dinosaur projects? Have you looked for books on dinosaurs at your local library?

  • How did you like using the 3D effect? Did it make the dinosaurs seem more real? Did your eyes feel any strain?


This review was written by Chad Sapieha

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This review was written by Chad Sapieha
Platforms:Nintendo 3DS
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Fighting
Developer:UbiSoft
Release date:March 27, 2011
Price:$39.99
ESRB rating:E10+ for Mild Fantasy Violence

This review was written by Chad Sapieha

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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