Lets play: shops :) (Lets Play: Shops (DS))

Member Name: abi138

Product:	Lets Play: Shops (DS)
Date:	27/05/09 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of mini games

Disadvantages: Didn't take me long to complete - may be different for a child though

--Background--

In the game you play a shop owner, beginning in a florist. Throughout the game you play many mini games to serve customers and tidy your shop among other things. These games include: tidying your shop, planting flowers, working on the till. The game then progresses to you working in a bakery and a grocery store, with games that reflect these jobs.

--Controls--

This game uses the stylus to tap on certain objects and also to drag objects around the screen. The game also uses the microphone for blowing into to blow away items on the screen.

--What happens?--

To begin you are asked to input your age, the age varies from 5-20. The age you choose determines the difficulty of the game.

The first activity is a spot the difference, you are shown a picture on the top screen and one on the bottom screen, the object of this mini game is to click the differences using the stylus. If you make more than two mistakes you have to start again.

In the second activity you have to plant some seeds and make them grow into flowers. First you use the stylus to click where you would like the soil to be put. Next you click with the stylus to plant the seeds. Then using a hose you drag it around with the stylus to water the plants. On the 5 year old level, once you have done 3 flowers you pass. On the 20 year old it's 6 flowers to pass.

I won't tell you any more of the games because it'll spoil it if you do decide to buy it but the game continues with lots of different mini games to complete.

There is also a mini-game section where you can play the games you have unlocked in the main game.

--Opinions--

This game is good, there are many different mini games which makes it fun to play. The mini-game section is also good if you want to go back to a game and play it again.

At the start of the game you have to input your age, the ages range from 5-20 so if you're younger or older than this you will need to choose a different age. This is a slight disadvantage as it restricts who can play. If you choose a younger age the games seem to be easier, for example I have played on both the 5 year old and the 20 year old one, all of the activities seem to be easier with less steps to complete.

In the mini game section you can only play the games you have unlocked. I thought this was good because it gives you something to aim for.

The game made good use of the ds capabilities with the stylus, the sound and the microphone being used. I found that the games which used the microphone for blowing into were hard, it required a lot of breath. For example you had to keep blowing dead leaves off of flowers for 60 seconds. After this time I was completely out of breath.

--Recommendations--

I think this game is mainly for girls, the fact that you play a girl and the backgrounds are mostly pinky type colours would make me think that it's probably not for a boy.

I would also say that it's not suitable for a young child (less than 5) as they have to be able to read the instructions, and some of the games for example giving change are quite tricky.

I think the game is suitable for girls 5+ although 5/6 year olds may struggle a bit with some of the activities.

It's also suitable for older children and teenagers as the level of difficulty is dependent on the age stated at the beginning.

--Pricing--

This product is available on Amazon for £17.99 at the moment reduced from 19.99. Not sure if it's worth that much as it's only taken a few hours to complete. I would suggest waiting for it to come down in price.

--Tips--

- Don't say you're older than you are as it'll be too difficult for you too complete. If you find it too hard change your age so you are younger, same as if you find it too easy change it to be older.

- When you are doing the blowing, hold the microphone closer to your face because otherwise you have to blow really hard for it to recognise it.

- Don't just click when you are doing the spot the difference, you only get 2 chances or you have to start again. Try not to click by accident either!

Summary: Overall a good game - would recommend for children age 5+