Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clever puzzle-action title with 3D effects, some violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D
What's It About?
The storyline of LEGO STAR WARS III: THE CLONE WARS 3D may not make much sense to people who don't follow the TV show, but at its heart, you play one of several well-known Star Wars characters (such as Yoda or Obi-Wan Kenobi) fighting against the forces of evil. To succeed, you'll need to solve puzzles and defeat a series of enemies (typically droids). Players must toggle between the characters at their disposal to do this. For example, to reach a certain part of the screen, you may need Yoda to hop up there, but when enemy droids begin firing at you, you'll need to switch to a trooper to dispatch them, since they are out of Yoda's range (as he only wields a light saber).
Is It Any Good?
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D is a game that comes so, so close to being terrific. The story is fun, even if you don't follow the cartoon series and don't grasp its nuances. And the puzzle solving elements are fantastic. Using the characters at your disposal to figure out how to progress is challenging, but never frustrating. Where it falls short, though, is in its save features. Levels are long -- with some lasting 30 minutes -- and you cannot save the game mid-level. Given the rather weak battery life of the 3DS, that can be problematic for players who don't have that long to dedicate to the game. And with the 3D effects turned on, looking at the screen for a period that long may result in eye fatigue. A simple save at will or autosave feature would boost the game tremendously. As it is, it's still one that's worth your time -- if you know what you're getting into.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the marketing aspects of the game. Does the fact that the game is played with LEGO characters make children want to play with the real thing more? Or do they enjoy the game because it's tied to LEGOs?
You can also discuss the violence in the game. Is it less troublesome because the characters are depicted as toys?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo 3DS
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : LucasArts
- Release date : March 27, 2011
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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