Tools for this page
Print

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

(2009, Video Games - Puzzle, Rated E)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Innovative platform/puzzle hybrid with great visual style.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Players take on the role of a plucky, good-natured professor who fights both monsters and humans as he quests for a legendary magical suit. He's not exactly a role model for socially acceptable behavior (he's a little smarmy when dealing with others), but he never engages in any activities one might regard as bad or evil.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Mr. Hatsworth uses weapons including a sword and a blunderbuss to attack goofy looking, googly-eyed monsters as well as the occasional human bad guy. Hits are depicted with flashes of light, and some creatures become wide-eyed and let out brief yelps of pain when struck.
  • 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 Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure was written by Chad Sapieha

Parents need to know that this game features mild violence. Our dapper gentleman gets into plenty of fights with monsters and humans, but nothing particularly nasty ever happens. Mr. Hatsworth does use a blunderbuss and a rapier, but defeated enemies simply disappear in a flash of light with a look of shock on their faces. It's also worth noting that while the puzzle portion of the game is fairly simple, the platforming areas offer a level of challenge that likely won't be suitable for younger players and for that reason we have set the age appropriateness at age 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 some of the interesting characters found in the game, particularly the titular protagonist, a bearded, bowler-hat wearing British professor who utters phrases like "good show!" and comes off as a bit haughty. What do you think of using such stereotypes for comical effect? You can also discuss the game's innovative melding of puzzle and platform play. Do these two types of games feel compatible? Did you find one more compelling than the other?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

What’s the Story?

HENRY HATSWORTH IN THE PUZZLING ADVENTURE has players taking control of a British professor who, in action-packed Indiana Jones style, quests for a magical -- and rather dapper -- suit. He runs into plenty of monsters along the way, which he does battle with using weapons including a blunderbuss and a sword. Defeated monsters fall to the bottom screen and become pieces in a match-three block-swapping puzzle that constantly creeps up towards the DS's top display. Should the monster blocks reach the top of the screen before being cleared, they'll reappear in the platform part of the game and try to attack the professor. Close

Is It Any Good?

The manner in which Henry Hatsworth melds the seemingly disparate genres of puzzle and platform gaming is nothing if not innovative. Play is shockingly seamless; all it takes is a single button tap to switch from the platform adventure to the puzzle game below. Moreover, the puzzle controls are mapped to the same buttons as the platform controls, so there's no need to pull out the stylus when it comes time to start swapping blocks (though the option does exist for those who prefer using the DS's touch screen). You can work on the puzzle until the timer runs out, clearing monsters and earning power-ups, or hop back up to the top screen and pick up the platform adventure exactly where you left off. Note, the platform puzzles can get very challenging toward the end of the game.

This fast-paced action is enhanced by fun and original artistic design. Our titular hero dons distinctive apparel and accessories -- including a bowler hat, a pith helmet, and a monocle -- and regularly utters identifiable Britishisms such as "quite so" and "good show." He and his equally idiosyncratic nemeses travel across lush and colorful backgrounds ranging from rainforests to graveyards to undersea worlds. An eclectic score that quickly and effortlessly moves from jungle beats to powerful orchestral movements to Scooby-Doo-style haunted house melodies -- acts as the icing on this creative and undeniably unique little handheld adventure.

Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 3/17/2009, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Cartoon Violence)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    My 8 year old and I both enjoyed the game alot!

    The game was originally purchased for my 6 year old as a birthday gift. It was too hard for him after the first few levels so he passed it to our 8 year old until he was older. My older child really enjoyed using the puzzle to super charge the attacks on the top screen. It took a little bit to understand how to flop the blocks of the puzzle. (It feels much different than other match 3 games.) Once we figured it out it was addicting. This is a game worth buying!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0

    cool

    i like this, it sounds cool even though i never played it b4

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name