Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion

Players are on their own to figure out where to go and what to do in this zany adventure game -- which can lead to some interesting and frustrating outcomes. An initial conversation with the town's mayor reveals that the main character in Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion actually already has committed it -- and he owes a significant amount of property tax for his greenhouse. The mayor dispatches the cheery root vegetable to go to the Bustling Barn and bring back a bag of fertilizer as proof that he's been there. But before Turnip Boy can access the route that leads to the barn, he finds out he needs to obtain a sword, which leads to further quests. Some plot revelations are fairly straightforward. Others, though, can be more convoluted and at times confusing. If kids reach a point where they get stuck, they may end up wandering around aimlessly, unsure what to do next, which can zap a little fun out of this otherwise entertaining game.

Some characters are cranky or mildly insulting. A hairdresser, for example, tells Turnip Boy another client is more important than his "dumb hair." Turnip Boy's reaction to his tax issue ranges from denial to insolence -- including ripping up related documents and a book on positive tax practices -- which isn't an ideal mindset to reinforce. There's also a cost involved to access the full game. Kids can only play the demo for free. The gratis version can provide a fair amount of playing time, though -- definitely enough to figure out whether or not they want to pay to continue -- and the retro pixel look pairs well with the game's humorous, offbeat tone. Providing additional clues or guidance to help kids out if they get stuck would go a long way toward ensuring that they have a good time while playing. As long as they're patient enough to poke around a bit, though, there's still fun to be had after Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion, as he tries to figure out how to make things right.