Scribblenauts Unmasked - A DC Comics Adventure

Name: Scribblenauts Unmasked - A DC Comics Adventure
Item: Scribblenauts Unmasked - A DC Comics Adventure
Rating: 4
Author: Marc Saltzman

Game review by

Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media

Scribblenauts Unmasked - A DC Comics Adventure Game Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

(i)

Imaginative puzzling fuses with comic book characters.

Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, Windows
$39.99 to $59.99
2013

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Kids say

age 8+

Based on 5 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Educational Value

Kids can learn how to solve puzzles by using their imaginations and typing words into the game window. These become objects, which are dropped into the game and used to complete a level. There's often more than one solution. By using problem solving and experimentation, kids can complete levels.

Positive Messages

The game is about using your imagination to solve puzzles and defeat villains. Inherently, this gives a good message to players. There is some violence, but it's very cartoon-like (think kids-comic-book-style).

Positive Role Models & Representations

Maxwell, the lead protagonist, and his twin sister, Lily, are good role models. These kids want to change the world for the better. As with past Scribblenauts games, Max has a magical notebook that allows him to spawn any object the gamer writes, whereas Lily possesses a globe that allows her to travel wherever she wishes. In the PC and Wii U versions of the game, players also can create their own superheroes.

Ease of Play

This "E10+"-rated game is easy to pick up and play, especially on the mouse-centric PC version. The Wii U GamePad is simple to use while controlling Maxell, and it's also used to type in the objects you want to appear.

Violence

The game has some cartoon violence, such as players being allowed to type in words -- such as "knife," "bomb," or "gun" -- and use the resulting objects against the villains. There is no graphic combat, though, nor any blood or gore.

Sex

Language

Consumerism

This game is based on DC Comics' popular roster of characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Green Lantern. Gamers also can download a digital DC comic for free -- as advertised on a sticker on the box.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know Scribblenauts Unmasked is an inventive puzzle game for tweens and teens wherein kids use their imaginations to write in objects they could use to solve environmental puzzles. There is some mild cartoon violence; a user can type in "gun" and use it to shoot a bad guy. However, most of the puzzles don't require violence to solve, and players also can type in words such as "flatulent" and "vomit" to hear or see them in the game. This game is tied to the popular DC Comics universe.

User Reviews

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Kids say

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Kid, 11 years old October 26, 2013

age 10+

Great for superhero fans!

It's pretty good, but you can use firearms, and other adult weapons, but there is nothing gory, since enemies just fall over and disappear in a puff of smo... Continue reading

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Kid, 10 years old October 4, 2013

age 8+

go imaganation

scribblenauts is a great game it lets out your imagination even better you use it for puzzles..........BUT the weapons are quite violent like the gun is ok but... Continue reading

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What's it about?

As the name of the game suggests, SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED - A DC COMICS ADVENTURE fuses the popular Scribblenauts series with characters, items, and story lines tied to the DC Comics universe. Maxwell and his magic notebook are back, and he can type virtually any word or phrase -- such as "purple cat" or "wooden sword" -- to see it appear and help accomplish missions. Maxwell is joined by his twin sister, Lily, who can zip around the world with a globe and visit iconic locales, such as Metropolis, Atlantis, Gotham City, Oa, and many others. Their goal is to stop the villains' evil plots once and for all. The game houses more than 2,000 DC Comics characters and objects, all drawn in the charming Scribblenauts art style and used to solve puzzles, confront enemies, and unlock new areas. Fan favorites include Superman, Lex Luthor, Batman, the Joker, Aquaman, the Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman, and players can access the in-game Batcomputer to read up on all the characters and objects in the game. The PC and Wii U versions are the same and, unlike the Nintendo 3DS game, let you create your own superhero (or modify an existing superhero or villain) and share your custom creations, if desired.

Is it any good?

Yes, this game is excellent for kids (young and old), as it encourages them to use their imaginations to solve puzzles and type in the names of objects, which magically appear in the game. There's more than one way to solve a puzzle, so kids can chat about what worked for them. In the Wii U version, a second player can use a Wii Remote to take control over characters. This game contains randomly created puzzles called Heroic Feats, which adds to the game's replayability. Also, as if access to more than 2,000 DC Comics characters and items wasn't exciting enough, the ability to create characters or modify existing superheroes and villains means additional fun. There's about 10 hours of play here.

Overall, though, when compared to previous Scribblenauts games, this title is arguably the weakest one. Why? Scribblenauts Unmasked is a great idea -- fusing imaginative gameplay with 80 years' worth of comic-book lore -- it doesn't really do much to push the series forward. The puzzles and scenarios don't seem as creative as the game and apps that came before. Scribblenauts Unmasked is an excellent idea, but the execution is less stellar. Still, it's worth exploring, especially for DC Comics fans, because it lets players use their imaginations to take control of the action.

Talk to your kids about ...

By combining the imaginative game series of Scribblenauts with the popular DC Comics universe, kids can create and use objects starring their favorite comic book characters. But is this a shameless marketing ploy? Is it the same game re-skinned with DC Comics heroes and villains? Why do you think Warner Bros. did this?
What do you like about playing puzzle games?