Parents' Guide to

Secrets of the Solstice

By Carolyn Koh, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Free-to-play beginner MMORPG for young players.

Game Windows 2008
Secrets of the Solstice Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

dairy05301
dairy05301 Parent of 7 and 10-year-old
April 14, 2011
age 8+

Mom and player

I love this game, both of my young kids play it (ages 8 and 10) and we enjoy playing this game together. Both of my children learned the game easily and it is also a lot of fun for an older player.
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

SECRETS OF THE SOLSTICE is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORG) set in the Kingdom of Xen, where twin princesses are battling over control of the Solstice Sphere, an ancient powerful relic. Players join the game as a Xenian and choose between four basic professions – fighter, magician, rogue, or priest. They go on quests, battle monsters, explore the world of Xen, and learn skills and magic, all while interacting with other players and non-player characters.

Players start off in a tutorial which sends them on a number of quests that runs them through the early levels of the game and introduces them to the town. In fact, the first few quests do not require players to navigate town, but run them through it to find non-player characters. Movement is via mouse point-and-click and fighting is also accomplished by targeting creatures through a single click and clicking again for auto-attack. Nothing more needs to be done as the computer rolls the die and decides whether the player or creature wins the round.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Secrets of the Solstice is a good introduction to MMORG games. It's easy to learn because it has great tutorials. It encourages players to cooperate by providing a party system which allows as many as 50 players to group together. When players are grouped, the game provides bonuses to encourage players to do so. There is also a simple "manufacturing" (harvesting materials for smelting) and "smelting" (crafting) system, but it is based on luck as players spin a wheel and the attempt to upgrade the weapon may result in a downgrade or even its destruction. This game is constantly changing because updates and in-game events happen regularly.

While free-to-play, this game tempts you to spend money. If you want to customize your character, you need to spend money in the cash shop, since there is little character customization to be had for free. Also, the game offers emoticon system, a way of showing emotions to others by having exaggerated animations show above your character's head. Unfortunately, these humorous icons aren't offered for free, but must be purchased.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why free-to-play games can be expensive if players used cash to buy items online. Why do developers choose this form of making money? Have you heard language in this game that is inappropriate? Why do you think players say these things? Are you tempted to do things online that you would not do on the playground?

Game Details

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