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Parents' Guide to

Guardian Tales

By Chris Morris, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Fun throwback tale with lots to do but little handholding.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free Role-Playing Games
Guardian Tales Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Guardian Tales Screen #1
  • Guardian Tales Screen #2
  • Guardian Tales Screen #3

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 1 parent review

Steven J.
Steven J. Adult
March 27, 2021
age 11+

Complex but unique mobile game

A common complaint that I've had with most of these mobile RPG games is that they all look the same (just auto through stages with cheap 3D chibi graphics) which make most of them boring. This, pixel-based mobile game, is innovative as it lets you explore more into the stages, instead of just being limited to just fighting waves and waves of enemies over and over. There's no auto unlike most of these mobile games. The game starts out easy but gets complex because especially in World 5 (the Chinese World) and onward you can die in only a few hits, and some of these enemies can shoot tons of bullets. There's controller support. The only thing you might notice that within the dialogue that there is some language like "damn" and so on, and some suggestively dressed characters (Dancing Archer Tinia). The game is filled with pop-culture references, as the worlds are styled like Kingdom Hearts (each world has a unique them and aren't direct from each other), including a Harry Potter world. So, if you're wanting a unique mobile game, I'd check this out.
See all 1 parent review

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What’s It About?

As with many Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs), there's a basic storyline at work in GUARDIAN TALES. You're a new knight who survives a battle where the princess is captured by aliens, so you follow them to try to rescue her. Along the way, you'll encounter plenty of side quests and meet quirky people. Your job is to rise from a humble beginning and become the savior of the land. After you clear the first world, though, you'll also find a strategy element layered onto the game, where you can build your own town, adding things like a bakery, a cafe, and more to keep other characters happy. And each map includes a side quest or two that let you build up your in-game currency and start summoning heroes and weapons.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (2 ):

This game embraces nostalgia warmly, but it doesn't help you figure out what you're doing or what your next moves should be from one section to the next. Using old-school graphics and a heavy dose of humor (and nods to other games), Guardian Tales seems welcoming to players even if its interface is a bit complicated and it doesn't have an especially strong tutorial. Beneath that seemingly casual first layer, though, is a game that ultimately demands the player's attention. There's a lot going on, but it's introduced at a slow enough pace that it's not instantly overwhelming. And whether you like the hack-and-slash style of older games, the town building, the hero summoning, or some other element, there's bound to be something for almost everyone.

The fact that there's so much going on isn't a criticism, though. It's admirable. Guardian Tales offers an astounding amount of diversity and gameplay for a free-to-play game. The price for that is a heavy-handed push for in-app purchases (which is hardly unheard of these days) and a confusing currency system that will take some time to wrap your head around. Neither are deal-breakers. It's a game that never takes itself too seriously, but it isn't loaded with fluff. If you're an RPG fan -- especially a JRPG fan -- Guardian Tales is a great escape.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about responsibility. How far would you go to protect someone you love or care for?

  • Do you stick to the task at hand or allow yourself to be distracted by other things that vie for your attention?

App Details

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