As a parent, looking for the right games for your child is quite difficult nowadays – some may be deemed too violent, while others have zero educational value. In this case, trying out Astropolo (available at the App Store for $2.99) is a must. This quirky, space adventure designed to attract kids (and worried parents) could be in the running for one of the best educational games available in the App Store. If you’re skeptical about spending $3 dollars to purchase it, here’s an in-depth review that will allow you to have a good look at it:

THE STORY AND GOAL OF THE GAME/APP

Like most educational kids’ games, there’s a story behind the tasks, and rewards for finishing it. This game is about Polo, an astronaut looking to fly out of earth and into the planet Tropy. This game makes kids help Polo by singing, dancing, drawing and cheering all throughout the interstellar journey.

 

GRAPHICS AND AESTHETICS

Astropolo does a good job in getting the kids hooked. Although it does not possess CGI and 3D graphics like in console games, its aesthetics look clean, colorful and cohesive, enough to attract a toddler’s eyes. That being said, the animation looks like it is made from construction paper, BECAUSE it is 100% made from real paper craft cutouts. Just imagine the hours of labor and numerous papercuts on the developers.

 

The activities

There are eight levels in the game, and each has its own distinct nature and educational aspect, although this mostly involves the child’s motor skills, creativity, voice control and singing. And yes, I’ve tried playing a game like a toddler, and it kind of made me look rather foolish. While trying Astropolo out, a coworker stumbled upon my private testing area and he gave me a concerned look. Anyway, here are some of the levels, goals and the stories.

• The first level involves creating a spaceship out of numerous interchangeable parts. Although this may seem trivial to adult eyes, this boosts creativity in kids, which sets the tone not only
• Another task involves flying the spaceship by singing, of all things. Yes, I sang for a spaceship. In a kid’s game. Jokes aside, this involves making your child find right singing volume – do it too loudly and the ship will crash; whisper it and you’ll never break out of the atmosphere. This helps in socialization and will teach kids on how to control the way they speak.
• Singing a lullaby to a sleepy alien, just like how you sang to the spaceship. Sing too loudly and he won’t be able to get a needed shuteye – the same thing happens if you do so quietly.
• Other activities involve drawing, organizing animals, and tapping a button into rhythm. No, this isn’t like O2Jam and other fast-paced rhythm games!