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Tiny Monsters
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Free
- Simulation Games
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Tiny Monsters is a simulation game nearly identical to DragonVale, with slow gameplay and tempting in-app purchases to speed things up. The purpose of the game is to hatch, raise, and breed monsters. Players use the game's currency of coins, diamonds, and food to build new habitats and farms, purchase monster eggs, feed monsters, decorate the monster mountain, and make space for new buildings. The game requires patience, as it takes time to earn coins and there is a wait-time while buildings are constructed. It's fun, but the app's kid-friendly graphics and monster theme are at odds with its terms of service and privacy policy, which require players to be at least 13 years old. This discrepancy in ages is noteworthy, since the design of the game is tailored for a much younger audience -- and younger kids certainly will want to play. Note: In-app purchases can speed up gameplay, but watch out -- the prices for diamonds, coins, and food go as high as $99.99.
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What's it about?
In Tiny Monsters, players get a monster mountain on which to breed, care for, and raise cute, cartoony monsters. Players spend and earn coins and diamonds as they complete various tasks such as building habitats, clearing trees and rocks to make room for new buildings, and breeding and raising different types of monsters. Players earn experience points to help them advance to higher levels and unlock new monsters, habitats, and quests.
Is it any good?
TINY MONSTERS is a bit slow at first, which makes in-app purchases all the more appealing. However, once players have a few monsters and habitats, the monster mountain starts earning coins more quickly, giving players more play options.
A great feature of Tiny Monsters is that it's not connected to game networks and social media, though this could change with future updates. As it is, kids can play Tiny Monsters safely if parents disable in-app purchasing for their device.
Talk to your kids about ...
Talk to kids about in-app purchases and establish some guidelines to follow.
Incorporate budgeting and arithmetic practice into everyday situations. For example, ask "How much money would you need to buy six of these $4 bracelets?" "If I save $20 a week, how long will it be until I can afford this $60 coat?"
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Math: money
- Skills: Creativity: imagination
Thinking & Reasoning: decision-making, problem solving, strategy - Price: Free
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: June 13, 2012
- Category: Simulation Games
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Size: 22.60 MB
- Publisher: TinyCo, Inc.
- Version: 1.4
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.1 or later
Themes & Topics
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For kids who love simulation games
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.