Parents' Guide to Hero U: Rogue to Redemption

In the best way possible, this adventure feels like a game that was made 20 years ago. The dialogue in Hero U: Rouge to Redemption is offbeat and witty in a way that feels imperfect. It's slow to get started and doesn't give players all the answers they need right away. In a way, it's not offering instant gratification. Hero U is a great example, reminding players that old school doesn't necessarily mean outdated, and new doesn't necessarily mean innovative. While this slower-paced experience may feel more familiar to those who remember playing older games, it's not so foreign that younger players won't be able to appreciate it.

A positive standout feature is the lack of "right" and "wrong" choices in how players choose to spend their time. Many strategies will lead Shawn successfully throughout the story, since the only real goal is to avoid expulsion. There's also a relaxing element to the routine of each school day. Many events are the same, but each class lecture contains a unique cutscene that either moves the story along or offers information that will be relevant to a class exam question (which players have to remember the answers to and manually answer!). It's all but guaranteed that players won't be able to discover everything on the first playthrough, and understanding how to maximize Shawn's time every day between skill-building, peer relationships, and money-making for school supplies is difficult at first. It's easy to feel like not much is being accomplished in the first few days, but once players find a rhythm, the days move faster and become more rewarding, leaving extra time for optional quests and puzzles. Overall, fans of casual RPGs (role-playing games) and fantasy adventures are sure to appreciate the corny jokes and small details throughout this tale of adolescent shenanigans and hard-earned redemption.