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FreakyCreatures (http://www.freakycreatures.com)

common sense media says

Buy collectibles and play online; kind of violent.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that in order to play properly on this site, kids need to purchase actual toy action figures (which retail for about $20). They are sold in pairs and are packaged with a USB flash drive to be plugged into a computer. The flash drive is loaded with a few virtual characters and "body parts" for altering them. Once online, characters can fight each other in a quest to see who can be the biggest and baddest. This stands out as one of the few virtual toys that can be played not only online but also via cell phones and other mobile devices. Parents should note that these toys are being marketed not just to tween gamers but also to teens and adults, so kids could be communicating with and battling against much older gamers.

Educational value: There's some reading involved, mainly fictional tales of these alien creatures and their environments. Strategy can be learned through the creation of different creatures and by learning how they stand up in various battles.
Positive messages: The site is all about conflict, with creatures and different creature groups battling for supremacy.
Violence: The entire site centers around creatures battling each other. Creatures use hammers and swords and breathe fire at each other during matches. When a creature is hit, it reacts to the blow or catches on fire. But there's no blood or gore, and little suffering is involved.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: In the spirit of Webkinz, this site bridges the gap between virtual games and real-life products. To create creatures, you begin by buying action figures, which include a USB flash drive that comes loaded with virtual creature parts. You then use these parts to build your freaky creature online. Action figures and trading cards are tied to online play, so the more you buy, the better your online creatures will be.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how the Internet has changed the way toys are made. Does a toy need to have an online component to make it appeal to today's kids? Are these toys a good alternative to Webkinz for boys? Do the characters have to fight in order to appeal to boys? What other activities would you like to see your online characters do besides battle with each other?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The timing seemed right for a testosterone-fueled interactive toy. The girls have had this market cornered for a while with cute stuffed toys that can be logged in online. But instead of decorating your pooch's pad or accessorizing your kitten's wardrobe, FreakyCreatures.com allows boys (and probably some girls as well) to play mad scientist and build virtual creatures. Once you've got your beast made, the next step is to pit it against another creature to see who has the right stuff.

The atmosphere of FreakyCreatures.com is lighthearted, straight from a comic book. So although the main theme is fighting, creatures and their environments are kept purely in the realm of fantasy. It's hard to say whether this will turn off older boys accustomed to the virtual reality worlds of the Xbox and PS3. Having a well-rounded Web site full of mini games, forums, and interactivity should keep players of all ages interested, at least until the next virtual toy leaps onto the market.

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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