Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun but familiar action/strategy game with in-game chat.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Star Wars: Commander - Worlds in Conflict
What's It About?
Players may fight the Empire or the Rebels frequently in STAR WARS: COMMANDER - WORLDS IN CONFLICT, but, ultimately, resource management is critical. You'll spend your in-game cash on items such as turrets, troops, and credit miners. From there, you'll attack enemy camps or follow a story mode pitting you against familiar enemies from the films. When real-world enemies destroy your village, you're able to watch a replay of the battle to observe their tactics and shore up defenses for the next attack. (It's also worth noting that even if your village is destroyed in battle, all major buildings remain undamaged from your perspective, though you'll need to rearm traps.) Kids will quickly be able to join a squad, which will enable in-game chat with the squad members. Though no one is personally identifiable, chat is unmoderated.
Is It Any Good?
Although it's loaded with Star Wars references and nostalgia, you can't help but get a Clash of Clans vibe from this strategic, resource-management title. That's hardly a bad thing, since that game is one of the most successful apps around, but there don't seem to be a lot of immediately unique qualities to Commander, other than its well-known universe.
Still, that universe adds a lot. The ability to play as either the Empire or the Rebels is a fun twist -- and you'll get a thrill when familiar characters from the film briefly appear. The single-player campaign seems a bit longer, too, letting players practice and figure out tactics without suffering frustrating defeats. It's a slow, methodical game, which makes it less than ideal for younger players, but for fans of traditional strategy games, there's plenty to like here -- assuming they didn't get their fill of Clash of Clans gameplay already. It's also important to talk to your kids about online privacy and safety before they get too far into the game: Though the in-game chat is mostly play-related and is text-only, it would be easy to offer up personal information or feel pressured to do so by other players.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about online privacy and safety, especially when using the chat feature.
Set expectations for in-app purchases before downloading the game.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Pricing structure : Free (You can buy crystals via in-app purchases ranging from $4.99 to $99.99.)
- Release date : August 21, 2014
- Genre : Strategy Games
- Publisher : LucasArts
- Version : 2.0.2
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 6.0 or later
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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