Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun fantasy for teens has memorable story and characters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Sorcery
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
A rare PlayStation Move-exclusive action adventure game, SORCERY puts players in control of Finn, a young sorcerer's apprentice who embarks on a journey with a talking cat named Erline through magical lands on a quest to protect his world. Players hold the PlayStation Move wand in one hand, flourishing it in specific ways to cast spells that include magical energy attacks against fantastical enemies as well as conjurations of a more benign nature that simply fix structures and open doors. In their other hand players wield either the PlayStation Navigation controller (or grip the left side of a standard PlayStation 3 DualShock controller), which is used to control Finn's movement within the world.
Is It Any Good?
Sorcery is the sort of game Sony needs more of in order to take the PlayStation Move beyond its current status as a peripheral for gimmicky entertainment. It may not be particularly deep or quite as long as other action adventure games, but there is a real narrative-driven adventure here that will appeal to players looking for a game with a story and memorable characters.
Equally important, the game's motion controls are well designed. Players use Sony's Move wand in intuitive ways to twist keys, aim and cast spells at specific enemies, and solve simple puzzles. Bending magical attacks around objects by deftly flicking your wrist -- a bit like throwing a Frisbee -- is especially fun. If there was any doubt as to the Move motion control system being precise enough, this game should end it. It's a little too short and not quite glitzy enough to be a home run, but Sorcery shows that the PlayStation Move has real promise as a platform for traditional action gaming.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about fantasy. What is it about plainly unbelievable and unrealistic creatures and events that appeals to people? Do you like to use your imagination to conjure up fantastical worlds, characters, monsters, and stories?
Families can also discuss violence in media. How do you determine what is okay for your kids? Ask your kids how they feel about what they see and experience in games.
Game Details
- Platform : PlayStation 3
- Skills : Health & Fitness : body awareness , movement , Responsibility & Ethics : integrity , respect for others , Thinking & Reasoning : solving puzzles , strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release date : May 22, 2012
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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