Hero Smash

Game review by Carolyn Koh, Common Sense Media
Hero Smash Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

Free, punny MMO lets kids be both superheroes and villains.

Mac, Windows 2011
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Hero Smash is a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) where kids create and customize their Super Heroes (or Villains). They take on missions that mostly require that they kill things with various powers and weapons. It is web-based, so there isn't any download or installation required or purchase of software. Parents also need to know that the game can be played for free but that it has paid components as well.

Community Reviews

TheOriginalFive
TheOriginalFive Adult
September 15, 2012
age 10+

Peer Pressures for Villainy.

Despite the plot of the game supposedly encouraging heroes, a section of the game's storyline involves the heroic Demolicious' defeat at the hands of the villain Luigi daVinci. This happened because of a glitch that was exploited by dishonest players during the decisive battle in the early stages of the game. (A player at the time of this review can no longer change the results of the battle.) Due to this, many players flocked to the villains' side, and a vicious cycle began. While the game obviously doesn't make wickedness an exemplary path, many players on the villains' side may encourage new players to join them as the playerbase of villains is much more powerful than that of the heroes. Parents can take the opportunity given by the events of the game to discuss peer pressure with their children, and how one can resist following the crowd if this is not what they wish to do. Otherwise, parents have to tell kids that villainy is not cool in the real world, despite what a virtual world may imply.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

In HERO SMASH, kids start by rescuing someone from the evil Dr. Purple in the tutorial, but can decide to help either Heroes or Villains in any part of Super City as well as some more or less neutral missions (many of which require you to kill things).

Is It Any Good?

Hero Smash allows quite a bit of free-form play as there are hundreds of different costume pieces kids can obtain as rewards by simply playing the game (some are amusing helms that resemble the creature they got them from). There is no advantage to playing either Hero or Villain and no real drawback to playing a mission or two for the other side, although kids do build up Good or Evil points.

Unlike many other MMOGs, characters aren't locked into a certain role, as kids can buy and equip any power and weapon they choose. Although buying a subscription opens up a great deal more content, kids playing the free game will also find a lot to do. Team play is as simple as several kids fighting a powerful monster at the same time as each player receives experience and items individually.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Internet safety. Why do we not share our real names and where we live with other kids we meet online? How do you know they are also kids?

  • Families can also talk about setting computer limits. How much time is too much? What is eye-strain and why do we need to rest our eyes or look at things from different distances?

Game Details

Our Editors Recommend

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