Common Sense Media Review
By Seann Dikkers
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fine physics puzzler doesn't stand out in crowded genre.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Impulse
Parent and Kid Reviews
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
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : EdGE @ TERC
- Release date : January 1, 2012
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : STEM
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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