Dark Meadow

Review

Common Sense Media says

Spooky, violent, with plenty of eye candy; older teens only.
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

Not yet rated

Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Dark Meadow is an action-horror game that uses one of the best graphics engines available on iOS devices, making it very realistic and potentially frightening. The game is also full of violent battles with various demons who spit poison and slash at the player with their talons. Players fight back with a crossbow, sword, and other weapons in what can be bloody fights. The app lets players take a shortcut to acquiring better weapons by offering in-app purchases of the game's gold, but this is not required. Users can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.

  • Ease of use3
    The game drops players in without any instructions -- though it does link to a web-based guide that takes you out of the game. Tutorials are provided as you progress, however, and figuring out movement doesn't take long even without help. 
  • Violence4
    There are pervasive horror themes throughout the game and plenty of violence. Players use tools such as a crossbow and sword to combat demons as they explore, with blood spattering from the demons when hit. When defeated, they dissolve into a body-shaped black puddle. 
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism3
    Players can buy in-game gold via in-app purchase to upgrade their weapons. (This is not required, though, as players find gold as they explore the mansion.) 
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety4
    Minor privacy concerns. Players can opt in to Apple’s Game Center to track scores and achievements, and for some games, challenge friends. Players can send and receive friend requests using an email address or Game Center nickname, revealing the first and last name associated with each party’s Apple ID and, in the case of email requests, the sender’s email address. With iOS 5, players can opt to have a private or public profile, which can include a photo. With a public profile, your real name is visible to all other players, and Game Center will recommend you to other players using your real name. With a private profile, only your friends can see your real name, and Game Center will not recommend you to other players.
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Is it any good?

 

While there's no question that DARK MEADOW is much too violent and scary for young players, those looking for a good scare and decent action could do a lot worse. Using the same graphics engine as the hit Infinity Blade, the game looks fantastic and features detailed, creepy monsters. What makes the game really stand out, though, is its story. More so than most games in the App Store, this game is as much about plot as it is action, with well-written and well-acted voice segments from your largely unseen in-game ally. Better still, the game doesn't repeat itself in that script. 

The game's not without faults, though. When you die, you're sent back to the beginning (with your stats and items intact), but if you've progressed through several areas, that's more than a bit frustrating. And the battles are generally the same, and get old after a bit. The concerns are minor, though. Fans of action and horror games both are bound to find plenty to like here. 

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This review was written by Chris Morris
Adult
December 3, 2011
AGE
18
 
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This review was written by Chris Morris
Category:Action Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:$5.99
Size:811.00 MB
Publisher:Phosphor Games Studio, LLC
Version:1.0.1
Release date:October 6, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.1.3 or later
This review was written by Chris Morris

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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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