Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Family-friendly party game promotes socializing, exercise.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Fruit Ninja Kinect 2
What's It About?
FRUIT NINJA KINECT 2 doesn't alter the franchise's popular berry- and melon-chopping formula much, opting instead to make little additions to it. Players still use their hands to swipe at fruit as it gets tossed up on-screen, aiming to skillfully chop multiple pieces at the same time while avoiding score-reducing bombs. But a new cast of nonplayable characters shows up to provide special objectives. You may need to move your body to avoid a spotlight slowly sweeping across the screen while continuing to chop, dodge shuriken marked by slowly shrinking target icons, or, rather than chop, make throwing motions to toss darts that pin fruit to round wooden stumps. A second player can jump into the game at any time simply by waving a hand, and the more powerful Kinect sensor for Xbox One supports up to four players in party mode. This also adds a few extra challenges to the mix, such as trying to be the first player to match ninja poses shown on-screen. Players also can earn virtual currency by accomplishing "missions," with objectives such as chopping a certain number of fruits at the same time. This money can be used to buy visual upgrades, such as a bubbly water effect that accompanies your arm slashes.
Is It Any Good?
Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 doesn't deliver much in the way of meaningful innovation, opting instead to polish the franchise's fun fruit-slicing mechanics and drop in a few minor twists in the form of mini-games. Players' movements are captured more reliably and accurately than in the original thanks to the enhanced Kinect sensor for Xbox One, so there's much less chance that kids will get frustrated that the camera is missing or misinterpreting their hand movements. Plus, the new focus on multiplayer and support for up to four players makes for a more appealing social experience -- though you'll need a room big enough to ensure kids have adequate space so they don't accidentally hit each other with their ninja chops. Keep in mind, too, that this is the sort of game that can really tucker players out, especially if they play nonstop with friends rather than taking turns. Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 probably won't deliver the same bang for your buck as, say, a 100-hour RPG, but it does a fine job of getting kids moving and playing together in short bursts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about social gaming. Do you think playing games with friends and family is more fun than playing alone? What makes it different?
Families also can discuss screen time. It's hard to play Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 for long stretches because it tends to wear you out. Would you want to play a game like this for longer if you could?
Game Details
- Platform : Xbox One
- Skills : Communication : friendship building , Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , teamwork , Health & Fitness : balanced diet , exercise , movement
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Halfbrick
- Release date : March 18, 2015
- Genre : Exergaming
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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