Parenting in the modern age can seem pretty daunting. Instead of putting up a white flag, I decided to do some research and find a mobile game suitable for my two preschoolers.
The criteria that I used is that the game should be educative and fun. Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens seems to be just that. In this article, I will present my thoughts on the game, including its focal points and the downsides. Let’s get started.
- What Is the Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Game About?
- How to Install/Download the Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Game
- What to Know as a Parent
- Is it Suitable for Preschoolers?
- The Pricing Scheme of Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens
- Noticeable Features of the Kings and Queens Game
- Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Offers a Fun Approach to Physics
- What the Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Game Great For
- How to Navigate Through Different Castles
- The Downsides of Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens
What Is the Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Game About?
The first thing that I realized is that the Kings and Queens isn’t an independent project but a part of the Thinkrolls series.
Launched by the Avokiddo Games, it is a game that involves analytical thinking, gravity puzzles, and the ability to assume a royal role.
I found the primary goal of Kings and Queens to be clearing a path for the protagonist to succeed in rescuing his queen.
While playing this game with my two preschoolers, I was impressed by the number of obstacles that the developers included, such as hatches, bridges, and complex puzzles.
Engage in Analytical Thinking
The coolest point of this project is that it integrates the fun of video games into a problem-solving experience.
As of now, it has more than a million downloads and thousands of active users.
How to Install/Download the Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Game
Before getting into the details of this project, I want to explain the setup process. As a Samsung user, I was happy to find that it is available on Android and iOS devices.
It is pretty simple to install. The first step is to open the Google Play Store and type Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens in the search box.
The app took just 70 MB of my memory space, and the fact that it can run on all Android phones that are above the 4.0.3 version is pretty impressive.
Although the game itself is free to download, it does come at a certain price, but that is something that I will discuss down below.
What About the iOS Users?
The process is much similar to what Android users need to do. My friend tried installing the game through the Apple App Store, and it took him just a couple of seconds.
Keep in mind that to run it, your iOS needs to be 8.0 or above. The feature that I was most impressed by?
This game is available in several languages, including English, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
What to Know as a Parent
Although the developers created this game for preschoolers and all kids above the age of 3, I found that I had plenty of fun playing it.
Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens is a game with a spectacular storyline that features ghosts, mirrors, flying potions, and fighting off creatures such as dragons and crocodiles.
This game stimulates players to solve puzzles in a time-efficient manner. In my opinion, it is the perfect way for kids to develop a healthy competitive spirit and understand the importance of teamwork.
Keep in mind that as the game progresses, the player needs to solve all the challenges in a single chapter before moving on with the storyline.
Spend Quality Time with Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens
Throughout the couple of weeks that my two preschoolers and I played this game, I found it perfect for training the mind in my free time.
We had the most fun with discussing strategies, different gears, and making our own stories.
Not only that, but I found the Kings and Queens to be a great starting point for talking about resilience.
Is it Suitable for Preschoolers?
Before showing this game to my kids, I wanted to make sure that it is suitable for their age.
For that reason, I completed the storyline on my own, looking for curse words, gambling indications, or aggressive product placement. Fortunately, I didn’t come across any of these.
The fact that the app can be played without the internet is an added bonus.
In terms of content that is suitable for children, it doesn’t involve the promotion of gambling or stereotypes. Not only that but Kings and Queens is free of sexual references as well.
What About Coarse Language?
A common issue with unsuitable games for children below the age of 7 is the presence of swear words and insults.
It isn’t the case with the Thinkrolls series. Throughout the whole storyline, I didn’t come across coarse language or any type of gaming behavior that is inappropriate.
The Pricing Scheme of Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens
The award-winning app that is the Kings and Queens is intended for kids between the ages of 5 and 15.
Although it is something that the developers refer to, I consider it to be a great challenge for adults also. There are two versions of the game, with the trial one excluding penalties and time limits.
As I mentioned above, this app isn’t 100% free to use. While castles 1-2 (easy, hard) are free to play, to enjoy the full potential of Kings and Queens, I had to pay $6.99 (Android version).
My friend, using an iPhone 11, told me that the price is the same for iOS users. In my personal opinion, it isn’t too expensive considering what you are getting in return.
Is it Worth it?
Highlighted by an intuitive interface and with more than 200 puzzles for preschoolers to solve, I found it to be a spectacular choice.
It is a project that stimulated my children and me to exercise memory and practice different strategies.
Noticeable Features of the Kings and Queens Game
There are a plethora of features that make this project challenging and fun to play. Firstly, it includes 115 puzzles that are easy and suitable for children between the age of 5 to 8.
As I mentioned above, it is a game that can be played by teenagers and adults as well, for which reason the developers included 113 more complex puzzles for everyone older than 8.
It is a multi-level game with 12 different castles that you can unlock by solving analytical challenges. Along with it, Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens integrates attractive designs and fancy items.
These include candles, gems and focuses on ultra-fun physics. In my personal experience, the ability to win accessories and customize the character is a highlighting point of this project.
Create a Unique Thinkrolls Library
I was pretty impressed with the effort that developers invested in creating sleek artwork.
Furthermore, the music choice is fantastic. What I found playing the game with my preschoolers is that it can support up to six profiles.
It is more than enough room to try out different strategies.
Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Offers a Fun Approach to Physics
Although physics is something that I don’t know a lot about, the elements integrated into this game were incredibly fun.
The fact that I was able to combine gears and racks to build bridges and reach the destinations is one of the exciting points of this game.
Furthermore, it is pretty fun to play the harp and put the crocodile into a deep sleep mode. Among the different physics elements, I was most impressed by the reflected mirror.
It can be used for eliminating ghosts. Not only that, but using levels to close hatches or fly over them after drinking a magic potion.
The Goal of Kings and Queens
The main goal of this game is to use everything in my path to come and unlock the entrance to a higher level.
It involves collecting treasures and solving science concepts, puzzles and experiencing a little bit of magic.
What the Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens Game Great For
There is a series of benefits that my children and I enjoyed while playing this game.
The first one is practicing science, tech, math, and engineering skills. In my personal opinion, the Kings and Queens is an excellent way to get a head start in these fields before starting school.
Along with STEM, I found that my preschoolers did much better with hands-on physics and the ability to solve problems in a time-efficient manner.
Not only that, but this game also stimulates memory, focus, and effect reasoning.
Master Patience and Resilience
Among the benefits that someone can reap from this game are practicing resilience and understanding the importance of patience.
This project features 12 different levels, and rushing through isn’t the recipe for success.
How to Navigate Through the Different Castles
What you should keep in mind is that each of the castles is projected by a dragon and holds hidden treasures that I used to trade with the dragon and upgrade my character.
The first castle is highlighted by maze-like puzzles, mainly focusing on using the physics elements (belts, conveyors) to create a secure path.
The second castle is all about moving the objects to a proper position and trying to go over the suspension bridges. The castle that I found to be the most fun is the number 3.
It features a crocodile that I enjoyed luring to sleep with a harp. The most spooky level has to be castle 4, with an abundance of immovable ghosts (until you use the reflecting mirror).
Keys and Switches
I found that castle 5 and 6 are mostly about the perfect timing.
It is because there is a lot of hatches and levels to lift or drop depending on the path that you choose.
The magic potions, which, if used the right way, provide many advantages.
The Downsides of Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens
While some may see the price of this game as a downside, I don’t. Yes, it would be pretty cool if all of the features were instantly unlocked but paying $6.99 isn’t so bad.
I enjoyed unlimited access to castles and game elements was worth it. On the other hand, the problem that I have is that the free version bombards its users with ads.
I noticed that before I made the in-app purchase, I got ads every couple of minutes while trying out the trial version.
In my personal opinion, it is something that the developers should work on as it can be pretty irritating for kids and adults alike.
Interest-Based Ads
If anything, the advertisements aren’t for unrelated products.
On the contrary, most of the ads that I got were related to the Thinkrolls projects or similar preschooler-friendly games.
Summary
I had so much fun playing Thinkrolls: Kings and Queens with my two preschoolers.
It is a project that I would recommend to anyone for its challenging, entertaining and analytical approach towards video games.