Parents need to know that this adventure game is completely innocuous. There is no sexuality, no profanity, and, aside from one somewhat tense scene in which a bomb may or may not explode (if it does, players will hear a boom sound and see a picture of flames filling the screen), no violence. What’s more, heroes Frank and Joe are smart, likeable, and driven to unravel mysteries -- fine role models for kids, who will learn about historical places and figures as they travel with the Hardy brothers as they travel about Europe. That said, it’s best suited for slightly older children, if only because it can be difficult to figure out what to do and where to go next. A level of patience and tenacity is required, as well as good reading skills.
Educational value:Players learn facts about real landmarks, such as Notre Dame, and historical people, including Russia’s royal Romanov family.
Positive messages:This is a game about using brains rather than brawn. Rather than getting into fights and making enemies, the brothers talk to people, look for clues pertinent to their case, and solve puzzles.
Positive role models:Joe and Frank Hardy are good boys, clever puzzle solvers, and smart investigators. They sometimes snoop where they probably shouldn’t and get into dangerous situations, as when they’re forced to try to diffuse a bomb, but only out of a desire to crack the case.
Ease of play:A quick and simple tutorial broken into five categories explains the game’s basic mechanics. It provides a good introduction to world exploration and interacting with objects, but it can be difficult to figure out what to do and where to go next once inside the game proper.
Violence:In one puzzle, if players fail to diffuse a bomb properly they’ll hear a boom sound and see a picture of flames.
Sex:The boys talk about having the opportunity to meet girls and lightly flirt with some of those they encounter by complimenting their appearance.