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> Results: Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures
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Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures is a simple game aimed at a younger audience than the Cars game released for all other game systems. There are two game modesﾗactivities and drag racing. Ten activities include pattern matching and a snaking car link-up, and each has five levels. Completing all levels of an activity unlocks a new car in the Legends race mode. Drag racing is a simple exercise in timing mouse clicks to switch gears to defeat the ten possible opponents. Everything is controlled by moving the mouse and clicking a single button. The game is responsive and forgiving, making it simple enough for young kids to control without a problem.
The activities are forgiving of multiple failures, reducing frustration for struggling players. But once you have finished the ten activities and ten races, which only takes a couple of hours, there is nothing left to do but beat your best score, unlock more movies and play the same activities with different characters. Unfortunately, the activities aren't exciting enough to draw you back in, meaning that except for the youngest kids this game will last only a few hours and then never be touched again.  
As the latest Disney/Pixar film, Cars is a natural target for video games, and every current and upcoming gaming platform will be getting a release. For the PC there are two gamesﾗthe story focused game simply titled Cars and this one. Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures is designed for young kids but presents a challenge for anyone because it is time based, allowing you to compete against yourself. The activities are based on elements of the film, and focused on helping out and sharing. There is no inappropriate or even questionable content throughout the entire game. The characters are lively, feedback is positive, and even when you fail the characters are there to support you on your next try. The activities scale with your ability. So if a child is having a hard time matching rhythms, all they have to do is get the button order correct and they will pass the level, but they get a better score for matching buttons and rhythms. This is pervasive throughout the game and pushes the challenge while it lessens the frustration for less proficient kids.
The only thing that keeps this game from an ﾑAll Ages' GamerDad seal is that you need to read the instructions to play the activities. Unlike other games, the instruction screens are text rather than icon-based, so kids can't decipher the rules without reading. With minor parental help, much younger kids who have mastered moving and clicking a mouse could make their way through most of the activities and races. The one caveat is that for most kids this game will last only as long as they love the characters, so if the movie doesn't meet the standards of previous Pixar films the game will quickly gather dust on your shelves. While aimed at young children, there is enough range in speed and challenge to entertain older kids or parents for a few hours. The repetition is focused on young kids who love to re-watch their favorite scenes, but racing against yourself through the activities and trying to shave a few seconds off your best time is entertaining. This review edited by Dave Long Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Browse Amazon.com's selection of "cars radiator springs adventure" themed games Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures |
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