 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
- Xbox 360
- Price: $15
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Lightly violent side-scroller with great art, clever design.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a downloadable side-scrolling action game. Players navigate a flying saucer through a series of hostile sci-fi environments, avoiding spiky, explosive, floating alien creatures while using a variety of tools and weapons to find new ways forward. Violence is frequent but mild, with players shooting and disintegrating mindlessly aggressive enemies. Parents should know that this game supports up to four players in online play with open communication, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend for pre-teens.
What's it about?
Players take the helm of versatile flying saucer in INSANELY TWISTED SHADOW PLANET, a downloadable side-scrolling action game available for Xbox 360. Presented with an enormous maze of twisting caverns filled with exotic looking and aggressive aliens, players glide through the caves collecting and using tools and weapons -- including a scanner, a grabber, a laser, and a shield -- to clear new paths and defend from attacks. The overarching design is vaguely reminiscent of classic Metroid games, which see players taking note of specific barriers in the maze and then coming back to them once they have the required tool or weapon. A multiplayer mode allows up to four players to work together locally or online as they flee an enormous beast.
Is it any good?
Its striking name may conjure up notions of terribly scary things, but Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is actually a pretty safe bet for most ages. Its highly stylized visual design is filled with spiky silhouettes and glowing red explosives, but the action is far removed from anything in the real world and nothing about the game -- not even its gliding, darting aliens -- is particularly spooky.
Instead, what we’ve been given is a cleverly crafted and finely tuned side-scrolling adventure game that encourages players to explore and experiment as they work their way through labyrinthine environments. The excitement felt when finding new weapons and tools is tangible, and while some sequences will test players’ reflexes an abundance of checkpoints ensures that players are unlikely to grow too frustrated. It’s a standout title in the Xbox 360’s library of downloadable games.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about using tools to solve real-life problems. How have you used tools to build things or overcome an obstacle?
Families can also discuss art in games. Do you ever feel inspired by the artwork in the games you play? Have you ever attempted to emulate art in games?
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AGE
Decent game somewhat lacking in content
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is, artistically, an excellent game with decent, gameplay, primarily puzzle based with a spot of action. It's as if Tim Burton directed Asteroids. Overall, there isn't much objectionable content, a spot of violence, though it's rather low in impact, more like Asteroids or Galaga than anything else.
The game is, however, lacking in content, and while the story is simple, it seems too simple.
Also, there was one minigame that involves guiding a rocket through a maze. It can be a bit... Frustrating.
Overall, though, the game is pretty decent, though it's probably worth trying before buying.
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Microsoft Studios |
| Price: | $15 |
| ESRB rating: | E for Mild Fantasy Violence |
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