Monster High: 13 Wishes Game Reviews

=Monster High: 13 Wishes= Share on print Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest_share Share on google_plusone_share Share on email *Platforms: Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS
 * Price: $29.99-$39.99
 * Genre: Action/Adventure

Common Sense Media says
Subpar platformer will appeal only to brand's loyal fans.*Platforms: Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS
 * Price: $29.99-$39.99
 * Genre: Action/Adventure

Age(i)
357911131517

Learning(i)
(i)Buy*Buy on Amazon SaveWrite a reviewSee all 1 user reviews

Monster High: 13 Wishes gallery

 * See all screenshots (3)



What parents need to know
Positive messages Characters use their special powers to defeat enemies and solve puzzles to ultimately free the students of Monster High. The message is positive, but these goals are partially achieved through violence. Each character has a uniquely monstrous talent -- such as the ability to transform into a creepy severed hand -- which is referred to as a "Freaky Flaw." However, the game encourages players to "turn their flaw into a strength" to solve puzzles, so there's a positive spin. Positive role models The "ghouls" are good role models in that they're fighting to free Monster High and its students from the clutches of an evil genie. Combat plays a small part in the experience, which also relies heavily on puzzle solving and teamwork among characters. Ease of play Gameplay involves a combination of platform jumping, exploration, and puzzle solving. Level goals aren't always clear. Violence & scariness There's mild fantasy violence but no blood or gore. Players defeat fantasy enemies using magic attacks with, for example, lightning bolts. Enemies disappear in a puff of smoke. Sexy stuff Not applicableLanguage Not applicableConsumerism The game is part of the Monster Highfranchise, which includes movies, episodes, dolls, and books. Drinking, drugs, & smoking Not applicablePrivacy & safety Not applicable

What parents need to know
Positive messages Characters use their special powers to defeat enemies and solve puzzles to ultimately free the students of Monster High. The message is positive, but these goals are partially achieved through violence. Each character has a uniquely monstrous talent -- such as the ability to transform into a creepy severed hand -- which is referred to as a "Freaky Flaw." However, the game encourages players to "turn their flaw into a strength" to solve puzzles, so there's a positive spin. Positive role models The "ghouls" are good role models in that they're fighting to free Monster High and its students from the clutches of an evil genie. Combat plays a small part in the experience, which also relies heavily on puzzle solving and teamwork among characters. Ease of play Gameplay involves a combination of platform jumping, exploration, and puzzle solving. Level goals aren't always clear. Violence & scariness There's mild fantasy violence but no blood or gore. Players defeat fantasy enemies using magic attacks with, for example, lightning bolts. Enemies disappear in a puff of smoke. Sexy stuff Not applicableLanguage Not applicableConsumerism The game is part of the Monster Highfranchise, which includes movies, episodes, dolls, and books. Drinking, drugs, & smoking Not applicablePrivacy & safety Not applicableSee full details

Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Monster High: 13 Wishes is an action platformer based on the Monster Highfranchise of ghoulish teen-girl dolls, books, movies, and webisodes. It stars all the familiar main characters, whom players gradually unlock. The main characters use magical attacks to defeat enemies, who disappear bloodlessly in puffs of smoke.

Thinking & Reasoning

 * solving puzzles

Self-Direction

 * work to achieve goals

Collaboration
See full learning rating details
 * meeting challenges together
 * teamwork

What Kids Can Learn
Monster High: 13 Wishes wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.

Thinking & Reasoning

 * solving puzzles

Self-Direction

 * work to achieve goals

Collaboration
Monster High: 13 Wishes wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning. This Learning Rating review was written by Erin Bell
 * meeting challenges together
 * teamwork

User reviews
See all user reviews (1)

Parents say
See 1 parent reviewAGE10QUALITY [https://www.commonsensemedia.org/node/add/csm-user-review?nid=4692761 Review this title! ]

Kids say
Not yet rated[https://www.commonsensemedia.org/node/add/csm-user-review?nid=4692761 Review this title! ]

What's it about?
In MONSTER HIGH: 13 WISHES, players explore a magic lamp to collect special items, free the "ghouls," and use their combined powers to save the rest of Monster High from the clutches of an evil genie. Levels combine free-roaming exploration with jumping, rudimentary fighting against the occasional enemy or boss, and solving puzzles using each character's special ability or "Freaky Flaw." Players can switch among characters on the fly once they've been unlocked. A second player can grab a Wii Remote and join in by helping to defeat enemies and collect coins. A hand-held version also is available on DS and 3DS.

Is it any good?
QUALITY Monster High: 13 Wishes would have a hard time appealing to anyone outside the Monster High fanbase. Production values are crude by today's standards, levels aren't terribly well designed or interesting, and there isn't enough guidance about what to do next, which could easily leave players frustrated. It's a subpar platformer in every way, lacking depth and polish. All but the most die-hard Monster High fans should give this one a pass.

Families can talk about...

 * Families can talk about real-life examples of turning "flaws" into strengths.
 * Discuss the game's portrayal of school life. How accurate is it?
 * Which character and special ability is your favorite, and why?

Share this review
Share on print Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest_share Share on google_plusone_share Share on email Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

This review of Monster High: 13 Wishes was written by
Erin Bell

About our rating system
Find out more
 * ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
 * PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
 * OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
 * NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

Quality
Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Learning ratings
Find out more
 * Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
 * Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
 * Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
 * Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
 * Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
 * Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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[https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings See more about how we rate and review. ]

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