Dragon, Fly!

Review

Common Sense Media says

Tiny Wings clone uses rhythm, physics to captivate.
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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Learning2
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Dragon, Fly! is a fun arcade game in the vein of Tiny Wings, in which kids use physics and rhythm to advance. Baby dragon is too small to fly, but eager to venture out of the nest. Players must help the baby escape from dragon Mum by touching the screen to cascade down hills and gain momentum, then releasing to glide into the air with ease. Players begin in the first realm with peasant status and a five-second lead ahead of Mum, then advance to squire status with a 10-second lead in realm 4. Players gain points by "swooshing" well (easily following the curves of the hills), igniting fire mode (by creating three consecutive swooshes) and collecting diamonds.

  • Ease of use4
    Operating this game is very simple. However, figuring out the timing of when to touch the screen and release (to send the dragon flying and pass advancing levels) can be difficult.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism1
    The full version has no ads, and all levels are unlocked. In the free version of the app, small ads pop up at the end of each game. Because the ads are targeted at adults, the content may not be appropriate for young kids. In both versions, players can use real money to buy diamonds for purchasing potions; they can also earn diamonds through gameplay.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety4
    Mostly private. Players can create usernames so that their scores are tracked and compared to other players across the globe, but this is optional.
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What kids can learn

2

Kids can learn about motion and momentum guiding the just-hatched dragon over hill and dale to collect diamonds and potions and escape the mama dragon. Kids must watch the motion of the dragon and decide when best to descend and when to release to match the contour of the "realm." It might be a better message if the dragon was leading mom on an adventure rather than flying away. If mama catches you, back to the nest! Dragon, Fly! is a cute app with a little physics learning and a slightly misguided narrative.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading
  • Math
  • Science
    momentum, motion
  • Social Studies
  • Arts
  • Hobbies
Skills
  • Emotional Development
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
See more details

What's it about?

Kids tap and hold the right side of the screen to advance the dragon at the top of hills but must release just before the bottom to maximize "swoosh." Momentum can help kids drag on the ground snatching up diamonds and potions without stopping completely or getting caught by the mama dragon. Kids can apply enhancement potions with earned or purchased diamonds, and it's possible to disable billing in the settings.

 

Is it any good?

 

DRAGON, FLY! is a captivating game that will quickly hypnotize its player. Part of the addiction to this game lies in the simplicity of playing it -- like Tiny Wings or Angry Birds, passing each realm consists of touching and releasing the screen at precise, accurate moments. Realms are made up of different colored hills and backdrops that change daily. Some days the hills are filled with flowers, and other days pumpkins or mushrooms will magically appear. The game offers players a relaxing calmness when rhythmically soaring through the sky with ease, but quickly gains intensity when Mum catches up to bring baby back to the nest. Players will definitely want to try, try again.

This review of Dragon, Fly! was written by

What kids can learn

2

Kids can learn about motion and momentum guiding the just-hatched dragon over hill and dale to collect diamonds and potions and escape the mama dragon. Kids must watch the motion of the dragon and decide when best to descend and when to release to match the contour of the "realm." It might be a better message if the dragon was leading mom on an adventure rather than flying away. If mama catches you, back to the nest! Dragon, Fly! is a cute app with a little physics learning and a slightly misguided narrative.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading:
  • Math:
  • Science: momentum, motion
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: decision-making, investigation, prediction
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction:
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication:
  • Collaboration:
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

Kids tap and hold the right side of the screen to advance the dragon at the top of hills but must release just before the bottom to maximize "swoosh." Momentum can help kids drag on the ground snatching up diamonds and potions without stopping completely or getting caught by the mama dragon. Kids can apply enhancement potions with earned or purchased diamonds, and it's possible to disable billing in the settings.

 

How kids will learn

Tutorial slides and a practice game help new users get the hang of it. The little dragon makes coasting, soaring, and "swooshing" joyful and -- when touch down isn't quite right -- a bit slow and bumpy. Kids will enjoy moving through levels and ranks (peasant and squire are the first two), earning head starts, and using enhancement potions. Kids can see individual and global scores (and country, city, and postal code if GPS enabled).

How parents can help

  • Allow kids to do a lot of swinging at the playground (soaring is joyful!). Older kids can learn how to (safely) jump off.
  • Experiment with toy vehicles on track sets with vertical slope.
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Category:Arcade Games
Platforms:Android
Price:Free-$1.99
Size:3.20 MB
Publisher:Four Pixels
Version:2.3
Release date:September 22, 2011
Minimum software requirements:Android 1.6 and up
This review of Dragon, Fly! was written by

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