Parents' Guide to Frostborn: Coop Survival

This clever premise for an title is held back because gamers face a number of unclear elements when they start this role-playing adventure game. They're dropped into Frostborn: Coop Survival after viewing just a few informational screens, without much instruction on what to do, which can feel overwhelming. An auto mode option may be able to provide some thoughts on how to proceed, and the app offers guidance by doling out short-term tasks, such as finding three logs and limestone to craft a hatchet. But there's still some trial and error involved -- for example, players will need to figure out the hand icon, one of several on the screen, to pick logs, limestone, and other things up. It'll also take time for them to understand what some of the items they gather and make will be used for because the game doesn't provide a clear view of their ultimate goal -- or even, in some instances, their next steps.

In general, players work their way around walls, zombies, and other obstacles, traveling between their camp, district, and other areas to complete tasks or store and utilize items they find. They may need to unlock blueprints, for instance, and locate materials to build structures. Much of the work is practical -- creating stronger weapons and walls to keep threats out -- but some revolve around violence. Players fight off zombies and other threats, including other players, who can attack and steal what your belongings. And there are some glitches to deal with: Your connection can suddenly drop, for example, causing you to start a portion of the experience over, and conversations you're instructed to have with game characters may feature an illogical "Purchase unavailable. Please, try again later" message. The developer may be working out some kinks from the most recent update -- even so, without more detailed instructions and a better sense of what the entire game entails, the app may be a little too complicated for some gamers to fully dive in and enjoy playing it.