World of Goo

Common Sense Media says

Great physics puzzler works well with touch interface.

Age(i)

2
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7
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17

Quality(i)

 

Learning(i)

(i)
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World of Goo gallery

What parents need to know

Ease of play

World of Goo has always been easy to learn but hard to master, and the same is true of the mobile edition. However, the touch interface, which replaces the mouse and the Wii remote in the original editions for PC and Wii, is exceptionally intuitive, and could make it even easier for players to get into the swing of manipulating the game's goo balls.

Violence & scariness

The game’s goo balls -- which, thanks to their googly eyes, appear to be alive -- can perish by, say, falling through openings in the floor, touching flames, or getting popped by spinning machinery. They don’t appear to suffer.

Sexy stuff
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable
Privacy & safety
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that World of Goo is the mobile version of a game that has been available for PCs, Macs, and the Wii for years. The artistic imagery, while not particularly violent (goo balls can perish by falling over cliffs or being struck by spinning machinery), is vivid and odd. Also, the game's clever commentary on consumerism -- the precious goo we work with is collected by a corporation that uses it for a variety of frivolous consumer products -- may be lost on children. However, kids interested in building could have great fun with the physics-based puzzles, which will get them thinking about basic construction concepts.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Science

  • gravity
  • motion
  • physics
  • engineering

Arts

  • sculpture

Hobbies

  • building

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • analyzing evidence
  • deduction
  • logic
  • solving puzzles

Engagement, Approach, Support

Engagement

Fantasy noir visuals, music, wry hints, and satire create a cinematic feel. Kids will be motivated to try again and again possibly for OCD level (Obsessive Completion Distinction).

Learning Approach

Physics and building practice are well-integrated into the game. Kids will learn by trial and error. Some levels may frustrate kids with less patience.

Support

An extensive gamer community at the World of Goo website and Google achievements offer players resources and challenge. Hints are on the entertaining yet cryptic side.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Science

  • gravity
  • motion
  • physics
  • engineering

Arts

  • sculpture

Hobbies

  • building

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • analyzing evidence
  • deduction
  • logic
  • solving puzzles

Kids can learn physics and engineering concepts and at the same time improve analytical thinking skills. In order to build structures that won't collapse, kids have to consider things like weight, gravity, tension, and friction. Since each puzzle limits the number of goo balls players can use, kids are challenged to analyze each situation and think strategically as they build. World of Goo empowers kids to learn through discovery as they experiment with the rules of structural physics and engineering.

This Learning Rating review was written by Erin Wilkey Oh

Parents say

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AGE
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QUALITY
 
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Kids say

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QUALITY
 
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What's it about?

Players navigate WORLD OF GOO by building different types of scaffolding, towers, and bridges in order to solve the puzzles. Players start with a set of googly-eyed goo balls, and drag each one to create a piece of the structure. Players must build in order to connect the goo balls to a pipe that allows the goo to flow. There is some strategy involved since players cannot use all of the goo balls to build –- there is a target number that must remain. Kids can tap a sign in each level to read tips for solving the puzzle.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

World of Goo originally arrived on PCs, Macs, and the Wii to wide critical acclaim in 2008. Its physics-based puzzles -- players pick up glops of goo roaming around 2-D environments and stretch them into place to build teetering towers -- was accessible, satisfying, and instantly habit-forming. This rewarding experience has been successfully transitioned to mobile devices and made even more straightforward thanks to the intuitive touch interface, which lets players interact with the goo directly using their fingers rather than a mouse or Wii remote. Creating World of Goo’s cantilevers, latticework bridges, narrow towers, and broad scaffolds has never been simpler. Few mobile games are more creative, entertaining, or endearing. Don't miss it.

Families can talk about...

  • Get out the LEGOs and challenge kids to build towers and bridges. Who can build the tallest structure?

  • Encourage kids to explore careers in engineering, building, or architecture.

  • Point out ways engineers and architects influence your lives. Do you cross a bridge regularly? Are any buildings under construction in your city?

App details

Devices:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Nook HD, Apps for Windows
Price:$2.99-$4.99
Pricing structure:Paid
Release date:May 10, 2011
Category:Puzzle Games
Size:80.60 MB
Publisher:2D BOY
Version:1.4
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.2 or later; Android 2.2 and up

This review of World of Goo was written by

Chad Sapieha

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

Find out more

Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

Find out more

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Written byAnonymous April 24, 2011
AGE
7
QUALITY
 

Very good.

World of Goo is a fun puzzle game. It's far from perfect, but it is definitely worth it. You try to get to certain areas by using a chain of goo. You can use these goo balls you collect in various ways as this game does not stop you from being creative and finding outside the box ideas. This is actually a physics game as you will need to do a lot of counter balancing. There are several "species" of goo balls which wil be very different from each other. This game gets very challenging very fast and your little kids may be a little frustrated at times trying to beat the game at certain levels. The game has an alternate mode called the Goo Corperation in which you try to build a gigantic goo tower. I couldn't care less about this mode, but hey at least its something different. This game/app is very good. It's one of the better apps I've played for the iPad and you hould buy this app.
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Parent of a 2 and 9 year old Written byKidsAndMommy September 1, 2011
AGE
6
QUALITY
 

fun

What other families should know
Educational value
Too much violence
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