Common Sense Media Review
By Erin Bell
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Arcade puzzle game prompts players to pay to get ahead.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Ruby Blast Adventures
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
In RUBY BLAST ADVENTURES the goal is to burrow down to the bottom of a mine shaft. Players do this by matching tiles of the same color next to the rocks that line the bottom of the screen, which causes them to shatter and reveal the next part of the tunnel. Players earn stars based on their performance, which unlock new levels. Players can also participate in weekly high score tournaments to earn prizes.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of Bejeweled-style puzzle games will feel right at home with Ruby Blast Adventures. Adventure mode gives players a sense of progress as they unlock new worlds to explore (including Egypt, Easter Island, and Atlantis), and each level has its own unique challenges: some levels, for example, restrict the types of power-ups that can be used, while others add obstacles like lava rocks. The game is cleverly designed to entice players to spend real money in the heat of the moment to extend play-time and use power-ups to escape sticky situations. In some cases it's possible to become completely stuck unless players buy their way out by spending premium currency on the "drill" power-up. Players are also constantly being prompted to send messages to friends and share updates on their news feed. The game would be more of a "blast" without these manipulative features.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Would you pay a flat price to play a game like this, or do you prefer the freemium model?
How do you feel about getting numerous game-related messages on Facebook? Do you send messages to your friends, or un-click the boxes?
Game Details
- Platform : Facebook
- Subjects : Hobbies : collecting
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , Self-Direction : achieving goals , Emotional Development : handling stress , persevering , Thinking & Reasoning : decision-making , strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Zynga
- Release date : June 16, 2012
- Genre : Arcade
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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