Description:
While it can't be considered educational or particularly redeeming (the babies' grammatical errors are amusing, but atrocious), there are few games that are as utterly addictive. This game is terrific, borrowing from adult-oriented games to include lengthy movie-like introductions for each mystery. Kids get to play various games to win candy bars to be used as bribes for schoolyard informants. The games are simple enough, although the decision to use the arrow keys--rather than the mouse--means that this is a game that requires good keyboard coordination. (Children younger than six will most likely be frustrated.) There's nothing informative and no lessons to be learned in this game, it's just pure entertainment--which is why it's likely to be a household favorite. The scenarios are witty and fun, with a little bit of bathroom humor that will crack kids up. Detective Tommy is searching for the "poop-atrator," who is going to be sent to the "big house" (Mom and Dad's) for the "biggest time-out ever." The wordplay in this game, as in the TV series and movie, will make kids laugh, but more than that, the structure of the game itself is sound. A truly immersive experience, the well-crafted animation makes this one of the best games we've seen. The creative team behind Rugrats Mystery Adventure clearly knew what they were doing. --Jennifer Buckendorff
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