Victorious: Taking the Lead

Name: Victorious: Taking the Lead
Item: Victorious: Taking the Lead
Rating: 3
Author: Christy Matte

Game review by

Christy Matte, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 10+

(i)

Tween rhythm game based on TV show is fun but short.

Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii
$29.95
2012

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A lot or a little?

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

Educational Value

Victorious: Taking the Lead wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.

Positive Messages

Although it isn't overt, the game encourages kids to try their best and go after their dreams.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Unlike the TV show and previous game, this game doesn't have a lot of positive modeling from these characters. One of the friends is supportive and helpful, but most of them are putting each other down. In one game, one of the characters keeps trying to bump your character out of the spotlight. The teacher isn't much better. After try-outs for the school musical, he tells one of the students that they "stink."

Ease of Play

The game starts with slow rhythms and a lot of help and ramps up over time. Occasionally, it throws in something unexpected, like a clap sequence. The chapters can be played on Easy, Medium, Hard, or Extreme.

Violence

One of the mini-games involves blocking sword attacks from another player. Another involves bumping the other player out of the spotlight.

Sex

There are references to kissing, and at least one tiny dress. One of the songs has some mildly suggestive lyrics, including "You think we should hook up" and "Get your hands off my hips."

Language

Consumerism

The game is based on characters from a popular Nickelodeon TV show.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Although there are no explicit references to drugs/alcohol, during one of the games the teacher drinks some coconut milk and starts having hallucinations. The coconut milk is a reference from the TV series, where it also appears that he has been using drugs.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Victorious: Taking the Lead is based on the tween/teen Victorious TV show from Nickelodeon. The characters are competitive, and not always very kind toward one another, and the one adult seems like a questionable role model. Most of the games are follow-me rhythm games where the kids are in dance-offs or rehearsals.

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What's it about?

VICTORIOUS: TAKING THE LEAD follows Tori and Jade as they vie for the lead in the high school musical and the chance to kiss Beck on stage. Kids can play as either Tori or Jade as they compete in dance-offs, try-outs, rehearsals, and the final show. There are a few other levels that involve blocking sword attacks, flirting with girls (very mild), and trying to maintain the spotlight. In most of the games, you watch the other character do a few dance moves and then you repeat them in time with the music by drawing up, down, left, or right with your stylus (on the DS) or button-pushing and moving the Wii remote (on the Wii). Higher scores unlock new dance moves, different outfits, and stickers to decorate your virtual locker. You also unlock mini-games to enjoy outside of the story. The game is divided into chapters and it's easy to go back to try for a perfect score on a level.

Is it any good?

Victorious: Taking the Lead is a fluffy game with a mediocre storyline and a lot of repetition. Fans of the show will likely enjoy seeing the characters and listening to the music. It's very easy to navigate and move around in, and it's very difficult to lose a dance-off in easy mode. The biggest issue may be that the game is quite short. Kids with decent rhythm and hand-eye coordination can easily complete it in an hour or two, while still managing to unlock most of the content. The question remains if they will want to go back and play again to make it worth the purchase. Victorious: Taking the Lead is a fine game, but lacking in substance.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about competition and rivalry. When is it fun and when does it go too far?
They can also talk about rhythm games. What makes them fun?