Impulse
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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 Impulse is a very kid-friendly puzzle game with a low barrier to entry, and it provides an intuitive -- but not explicitly instructional -- introduction to the physics of mass, velocity, and trajectory. It was designed by researchers and meant to cover Newton's laws of motion. It's tough gameplay, however, and since it lacks help or a player community, kids may get discouraged.
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What's it about?
IMPULSE is a non-narrative puzzle game with one assignment: use force to push your green ball to a glowing light while avoiding rolling red enemy balls.
Is it any good?
The game has simple mechanics and is easy to play, allowing kids to experience some of the foundations of physics and motion without the kind of baggage that's explicitly geared toward learning. Still, comparable games model the same kinds of physics concepts with more polish. Given the lack of elegant level progression, support, and a variety of experiences, kids will tend to disengage.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about Newton's laws of motion in relation to Impulse's mechanics. Ask your kids how playing the game helps them get a feel for these laws. For example, are there places in the real world that don't work so neatly?
Challenge kids to set up a version of Impulse on the floor. Use marbles, bouncy balls, and other objects to design challenges. What might be used as the "impulse" in real life? What changes if the floor isn't level or has bumps?
Game details
- Platforms: Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPod
- Subjects: Science: momentum, motion, physics
- Skills: Emotional Development: developing resilience, handling stress
Thinking & Reasoning: decision-making, prediction, problem solving, strategy - Available online? Available online
- Developer: EdGE @ TERC
- Release date: January 1, 2012
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Science and Nature
- ESRB rating: NR
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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.