Star Wars - Heroes Path
By Lisa Caplan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Turn-based strategy game teases brain; could drain wallet.
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Star Wars - Heroes Path
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What’s It About?
Players uncover the plot of Star Wars Chapter IV: A New Hope retold in comic-book-style cut scenes in STAR WARS - HEROES PATH as they make their way through the game levels. Players move through six environments, alternating turns on a game board with storm troopers and other enemies. Playing as various characters from the movie, kids move toward the level's end goal, pick up items, and avoid enemies who can shoot them. The game awards up to three stars per level based on Yoda's criteria -- Reach the Goal, Defeat All Enemies, Don't Skip a Turn, and the like. Kids need to earn a set number of stars -- not simply finish every level -- to unlock successive chapters, but they can try as many times as necessary. As levels progress, they involve contraptions such as gates and trapdoors, increasing the challenge. Yoda also gives hints, and each character has a special ability, but you only get five hints for free and limited power: If you want more, you have to pay for it. The chapters involving Han Solo and Obi-Wan are available for purchase, but kids can't earn them.
Is It Any Good?
Stellar graphics and clever strategy gaming make this game appealing, but the endless pushes for the user to spend real money get old quickly. The controls are as simple as the rules, but there's still enough variation between the puzzles to keep players engaged, and the challenge increases as levels progress. Because the objectives for each level sometimes conflict, kids will have to try out several strategies to get all three stars. The biggest frustration, however, is the need for hints and special powers: If the goals were attainable without them, the purchases would be optional. As it is, a kid can't know the objectives without having hints available, and hints cost money even in the paid version. If parents won't pay $10 for unlimited hints, kids are bound to get frustrated. If the paid title had fewer in-app purchases, it would be much easier to love it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about being a savvy consumer. What, if any, in-app purchases are fair, and which are simply cash grabs with no added value? What are your rules about in-app purchases?
Talk about the idea of branding and franchise. Why do companies make so many products with a Star Wars theme?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading: reading
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: deduction, logic, solving puzzles, strategy, Emotional Development: persevering
- Pricing structure: Free (The game is currently free but usually costs $3.99.)
- Release date: October 17, 2015
- Category: Strategy Games
- Topics: Adventures, Space and Aliens
- Publisher: Disney
- Version: 2.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 7.0 or later
- Last updated: February 22, 2021
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