Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Bindel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
New adventure a bit scarier, still fun, but less satisfying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Lifeline 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
In LIFELINE 2 an orphaned mage seeking to avenge her parents' deaths and find her brother pulls the reader into the story, making you an active character who literally determines her fate. Arika has to gather three magical artifacts before she can defeat those who killed her parents, and the player helps her do that. Just as in the original Lifeline..., players actively participate in choosing what the main character does as the story plays out in real time. Once completed, it can be replayed from the beginning or from specific points in the story.
Is It Any Good?
This immersive story frightens and inspires as it delights with geek-culture references galore, but fans of the original may love it a bit less. The writing is witty, if imperfect, with some bland repetition: The debate over whether or not to use magic to transport is pretty much the same every time Arika asks for advice. Also, response choices aren't delivered verbatim, so it sometimes feels as though a user's intended response isn't what's actually delivered. The conversations last a bit longer than in the original, but not all the decisions seem to make as much of an impact. Those that do, though, are doozies, but being able to replay in fast mode makes backtracking less frustrating. Though the mechanic is still compelling, the character is sympathetic, and the story is engaging, the small changes from the original don't feel like improvements.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they would do if someone contacted them through their phone. Indulge in the fantasy of the story, but you also may want to mention the real-world issues of digital safety.
Kids who enjoy the magical element of the game might like books based on similar stories, so you can recommend a few titles.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : September 29, 2015
- Genre : Adventure Games
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Publisher : 3 Minute Games, LLC
- Version : 1.3
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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