Parents' Guide to Figment: Journey Into the Mind

Players walk on elevated lily pads, press buttons to activate outdoor elevators, and interact with numerous other creative, intricate elements in this adventure-based story app. The plot of Figment: Journey Into the Mind involves a character named Dusty on a quest to get his stolen scrapbook back -- and calm the unease that's plagued the mind lately. Players use an on-screen navigational tool to direct Dusty from area to area, as he completes a series of tasks, such as finding a battery to power a walkway made of pencils to extend across two structures. Endorphins, which look like small bubbles, appear after some tasks are completed, which players collect to help improve Dusty's health, shown as a green bar in the corner of the screen. Endurance neurons, green bubbles they'll occasionally find hanging from a tree, can also be knocked down with their sword to enhance their health.

Although you aren't directly told what to do next, figuring out what you need to do or find isn't too hard. The area you roam in is generally somewhat constrained, which should help avoid any frustratingly long detours. You also don't have to worry about dying frequently, unless you get stuck trying to win one of the battles they'll face against tentacle-like creatures that pop up from the ground. Even if Dusty does die due to his health reserves running out, players don't have to repeat the entire game section -- just the immediate portion they'd played. They won't find many clues, and the dialogue is fairly brief in points, but the stunning design can really reel them in. The detailed graphics make it easy to forget the overarching theme at points -- but there's merit in that, too. If parents can help kids make the connection between stress, endorphins, balance, and other elements of a healthy, calm mind, Figment: Journey Into the Mind will serve as much more than just a visually impressive virtual world-based game.