Parents' Guide to

Secondhand Lands

By Carolyn Koh, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Comic fairytale MMO has plenty of snark.

Game Windows 2009
Secondhand Lands Poster Image

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What’s It About?

Playing the massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) SECONDHAND LANDS is
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like stepping into a world of fractured fairy tales. Skunks hold their tails like
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a gun, ready to spray you with musk and bridge trolls act like the mafia
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looking for protection money before you can cross the bridge. Instead of the
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gorgeous Sugar Plum Fairy, this game has the Sugar Prune Fairy, an old lady who sits in a
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rocking chair. And crime tape keeps you from visiting the Three Bears' house!
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Kids choose to play in this game world as a Wolf, a Sheep, a Catgirl or a Scrapper, the
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latter manifesting in several forms including a lizard, dragon, squirrel, or
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skunk. Each \"race\" is very different in what they can do and is led by a
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fairytale character including Little Bo Peep and Red Riding Hood. Like most
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MMOGs, players spend most of their time going on quests which can include having to kill things, but there is no blood as
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you stomp or smack other creatures. You can also craft things in the game, and
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acquire pets – which can be snarky to their owners.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

Secondhand Lands distinguishes itself from other fantasy MMOGs by its use
of humor. For example, in one quest, you will help the three little kittens who
lost their mittens by stomping on the ducks who stole their mittens. In other
quests, you will be smacking clockwork rats and bridge trolls. Although going on
constant quests can be a bit of a grind, it is a quick way to make your
character stronger. Plus, the game creates interesting interactions between
characters as Scrappers and Catgirls can ride Wolves and Sheeps with the use of
a saddle for faster travel as they are small and slow. Also fun are the in-game
events and Player versus Player (PvP) game play.

For kids who get tired
of questing, the game provides other activities including exploring the
land to harvest mushrooms or to dig for ore. Also helpful is a Fairy Helper,
who follows you around and is basically your personal in-game guide and heals
you when you take damage (although you can be overwhelmed if you venture out
into the more dangerous lands before you have the levels to handle them).The
novelty in solo-play can wear off quickly so players should look to
participating in what MMOGs are created for, group and guild activities and
events.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why this game is a parody? Why are the fairytale characters not exactly like what you would expect?

Game Details

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