Mission US: For Crown or Colony?
By Christy Matte,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
First-person history adventure asks kids to choose sides.
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Mission US: For Crown or Colony?
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What’s It About?
Mission US: For Crown or Colony? follows the life of Nat Wheeler as he leaves his family farm and journeys to Boston to be a printer's apprentice. It's there he learns about the Patriots' rebellion against British tyranny. He also meets Lucy, a girl who's loyal to the crown. Kids learn history and can explore both sides of the situation, although a sympathetic emphasis falls on the side of the colonists. As the game progresses, kids can choose whether to support the colonists or the redcoats, or to stay neutral. In the end, they have a final choice to make that will decide Nat's fate.
Is It Any Good?
Mission US: For Crown or Colony? is a wonderful way for kids to explore the historical facts that brought about the Revolutionary War. The first-person perspective makes the story more compelling, although it may be difficult for kids to make an impartial decision since the characters on the side of the Patriots seem more sympathetic overall. Also, unlike Mission US: Flight to Freedom, your choices during the game don't seem to have any real impact on the end result. Still, kids have the chance to meet Paul Revere, chat with Phillis Wheatley, and have a front row seat to the moments just before the Boston Massacre. It's hard to forget experiences like that. If all history classes were like this, history class would be the favorite of all students.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the American Revolution, how and why it came about, and what you might do if presented with a similar situation today.
What would be like to be an apprentice? How is that different from being an indentured servant?
Do you think playing history games gives you a better sense of what really happened?
Game Details
- Platforms: Mac, Windows
- Subjects: Social Studies: events, government, historical figures, Language & Reading: reading comprehension, using supporting evidence, vocabulary
- Skills: Communication: asking questions, conveying messages effectively, listening, Thinking & Reasoning: asking questions, decision-making, thinking critically, Responsibility & Ethics: integrity, learning from consequences, making wise decisions
- Pricing structure: Free
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Thirteen/WNET
- Release date: April 1, 2011
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Friendship, History
- ESRB rating: NR
- Last updated: November 1, 2019
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