Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon (Rated E 10+)

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon, Rated E 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes.

I didn't get past the second chapter in this game, as I was only renting it (I'm sure if you're a parent, you VERY MUCH understand the inability to buy a new game each time it comes out. Diapers and Mortgages take precedence) However in the short amount of time I played I found this game to be WILDLY entertaining, and completely fun. However I was ready to chuck my Wii mote a few times, that's for dang sure.

You play as Chocobo, a cute little bird (kind of like a small ostrich) that is Cid's main companion. You are Treasure hunters exploring an old ruin, where you run into some dippy girl who touches a crystal, and y'all exported to another land. To Memoria. Where, despite the name, people forget things. The Mayor extols that forgetting is a virtuous thing. Well I suppose forgetting can be, but forgetting your name... well that sucks rocks. In any case Shrima, a nice little girl who is also a white mage, comes and pulls you away from the tower before you start forgetting too much. It's a bit too late, Cid has forgotten why he was here. Sheesh. You go back and meet Shirma's aunt, Stella. Whereupon Shirma realizes she has forgotten her staff in the square and must go back to get it, and of course, you follow, since you're a responsible large bird. A few cut scenes later, you find a baby, who is super intelligent and can speak a few words, and you find out his name is Raffaello, he has the ability to turn people's minds into dungeons and recover their lost memories. Very convenient. The battle system is pretty easy, it's turn based, but not as random as some final fantasy games. You can see the monsters coming, and can run away from them much easier.

The real trick to the game happens in the second chapter. They are "Special" dungeons. Where you have 1 HP and no armor, no gil, no items. Though not all special dungeons are quite this hard, each of them has their own challenges. I don't mind leaving all my stuff behind as long as I don't have one HP. Also "jobs" are introduced, as your Chocbo can turn into a Knight, Black Mage, and White Mage. Also, as you progress Raffaello is able to grow at amazing speeds (he went from being a baby to being a toddler in a short 12 hours!) You also get to meet two fat chocobos that will allow you to store your money and items if you are unable to use them in a dungeon or if you want to leave space to pick things up (which I highly recommend!)

I haven't gotten to play too far in, as previously mentioned, but I can tell you that all of the characters I saw were fairly well dressed, Shirma and Stella are prominent characters. I had no problem play this game in front of my daughter, or letting her play a little (even though she wasn't exceptional, she's only 14 months old.)

Talking points with your kids; talk to them about memories, and remembering. Ask them what they think about the story. If your kids are young enough, ask them what it would be like to forget everything, including their own name. (I say young enough because most teens would just stare at you and go back to playing the game instead of listening to what you have to say.) Video games can be a family topic. This game has nothing TOO controversial in it (though I suppose anything can be controversial if you get worked up enough.) Please remember that the number one person in charge of your child's entertainment is YOU. When it comes down to it, if you don't feel good about a game-- don't buy it. No amount of whining should EVER overcome your own gut instincts.

<3/Video Game Momma