Family Games

We Would Play That!

There are all kinds of cool family friendly video game ideas out there. This column features ideas of video games we would play. We hope games like these are created in the near future. Can you make it happen?

There have been plenty of video games that let us play as a plethora of animals. We can play at lemmings, mice, rats, cats, dogs, gerbils, hedgehogs and more. We can be a dolphin swimming under the sea. Sure many of the video game versions of animals are not exactly realistic. Bandicoots do not look or act that way in the real world. Then the thought came to us - what about plants? Are there any realistic plant based video games?

Sure we can be a plant Pokemon, Pikmin, Plants vs Zombies and more. What about a realistic plant video game? Some might answer that question with the plethora of Farming Simulator games. Others might think about Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons. After all there is plenty of planting, watering and harvesting in those video games. What about the experience of actually being a plant?

Initially the idea made us think that is not possible. How can you enjoy a game where you sit there and do nothing. Do plants actually sit there and do nothing though? From a seed blowing on the wind to find some good soil to plants reaching out for the sun. We have seen plenty of weeds among our strawberries, and blueberries. There are plants that are reaching around to get some sunlight. Already we have given two ideas for plants to be made into video game levels. There are also different kinds of plants. So maybe we have plants that have flowers that are trying to entice a bee to come and pollinate them. A little dance mini games to get in sync with the bee. Other plants grow thorns to keep birds and animals from messing with them. Maybe a bee is pollinating and a bird comes to eat the bee. The plant game could warn the bee at the right time for the bee to get out of there and stay alive. Ants could walk nearby and not mess with the plant. Maybe a spider would use the plant to catch some nasty bugs like mosquitoes.

Could you imagine the different kinds of levels that could be made from a video game based off of plants in a realistic fashion? This kind of a video game would definitely be very family friendly. If a bird was to eat a bee then the screen could fade to black with a message about needing to keep the bee alive. Let the bird go eat a wasp instead. That should be more nourishment than a bee would be.

Jeremiah 1:5-8

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

REVIEWS

Welcome to our reviews section. We have a couple of rules when it comes to our reviews. The reviewer must give an honest accounting as to why he/she liked or disliked something. No fanboy reviews allowed here, or at the very least they are discouraged (after all everyone has their own personal biases, likes, and dislikes). Everyone also has different tolerances, and weaknesses - we strive to keep that in mind in our reviews. We have been burned ourselves by reviews saying a certain game is great, only to be greatly offended by that game. Reviewers must be kind in their reviews. A game may be horrible, but there is no need to degrade the developer, publisher, artists, etc. There is also no need for name calling.

We review video games on five separate criteria: graphics, sound, replay/extras, gameplay, and family friendly factor. Review scale can be found here. The editor in chief coordinates reviews to have as much cohesion as possible. We are very open about the way we review video games. Each section starts with a 75 score, and can earn or lose points based on the content of the game, using our grading scale (found on the website).

Parents, please do not take any of our reviews as gospel. Different people are offended by different things. We work hard here at Family Friendly Gaming to discern the good from the bad in the teachings of each different video game. What may seem harmless to our reviewer(s), could be a big deal to you. We encourage you to spend time with your children and investigate each video game yourself. Each review is written with you in mind, and we try to mention each problem we find. We are not perfect, and miss things from time to time - just as the ESRB does. The ESRB rating is merely a start, and since they ignore many of the moral and spiritual factors important to parents all across America, we do our small part to fill that huge void. We are a small ministry and your prayers are so very important to us.

Questions, suggestions, comments, or got a game you would like for us to review? Then please email us at: Gamereviews@familyfriendlygaming.com.

CONTENTS

DVD Cobra Kai Season 3 Supergirl Season Six

Evercade Technos Arcade 1

Gameboy Color Knockout Kings

Manga Edens Zero 1 Score Page 68 35 37 34

Score Page 65 36

Score Page 77 37

Score Page 62 33

Nintendo Switch

Score Page DC Super Hero Girls Teen Power 65 30 My Little Pony A Maretime Bay Adventure 73 32 My Singing Monsters Playground 78 26 Ryan’s Rescue Squad 78 27

PC Score Page My Little Pony A Maretime Bay Adventure 73 32 My Singing Monsters Playground 78 26 Ryan’s Rescue Squad 78 27

PS4 Score Page Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales 58 29 My Little Pony A Maretime Bay Adventure 73 32 My Singing Monsters Playground 78 26 Ryan’s Rescue Squad 78 27 PS5 Score Page Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales 58 29 My Singing Monsters Playground 78 26

Stadia Ryan’s Rescue Squad

Xbox One Score Page My Little Pony A Maretime Bay Adventure 73 32 My Singing Monsters Playground 78 26 Ryan’s Rescue Squad 78 27

Xbox Series X Score Page My Little Pony A Maretime Bay Adventure 73 32 Ryan’s Rescue Squad 78 27