Common Sense Media Review
By Erin Bell
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Empowering sim explores women's issues and activism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Half the Sky Movement: The Game
What's It About?
The main character of HALF THE SKY MOVEMENT: THE GAME is Radhika, a young woman from India who becomes an advocate for women in her community and around the world. As Radhika interacts with other characters, first in India, and later in Kenya, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and the U.S., players make choices on her behalf that determine how the scene unfolds. For example, when there are only 10 mosquito nets to go around, should the last one to a pregnant woman, or to protect children at the hospital? Completing quests earns points in areas such as Economy, Education, Health, and Security, and leveling up these meters opens new quests and areas to explore. The quests that players complete in-game parallel real charities. For example, when Radhika obtains medicine for her daughter in the game, players are given the option to donate to Shot @ Life, a real-world charity that provides vaccines to children.
Is It Any Good?
Half the Sky Movement: The Game is unlike any other game on Facebook. Instead of the plot taking a backseat to gameplay, Half the Sky Movement switches things around and puts the focus squarely on characters, situations, and issues. It's not quite an interactive book -- there's still plenty to do, including resource-gathering, buying and selling, and opening up new areas to visit -- but the people and their everyday struggles will resonate strongly with players, even more so since every scenario is inspired by real issues that women face around the world every day.
What's more, Half the Sky Movement encourages players to become directly involved in finding solutions to the issues by donating money to real charities, spreading the word on Facebook, and taking action in their own communities and beyond. It's entertaining, educational, and inspirational all at the same time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea that in some parts of the world girls don't go to school. What would it be like to grow up not knowing how to read?
Many of the things Radhika and her friends fight for are things that women in other parts of the world take for granted. What are some of those things?
Do you believe games like this can be a vehicle for learning and change?
Game Details
- Platform : Facebook
- Subjects : Social Studies : citizenship , cultural understanding , global awareness
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , respecting other viewpoints , Emotional Development : empathy , persevering , perspective taking , Communication : friendship building , Responsibility & Ethics : honoring the community , integrity , respect for others , Thinking & Reasoning : decision-making , Health & Fitness : preventing sickness , Self-Direction : work to achieve goals
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Frima Studio
- Release date : March 4, 2013
- Genre : Simulation
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : January 25, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
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.
See how we rate