Better than the console game, a fun side-scrolling puzzler.

This is a Nintendo DS video game based on the movie, "The Tale of Despereaux," which follows the story of the Newberry Award-winning book of the same name by Kate DiCamillo.

The story portion about how a little brave mouse rescues a princess from evil rats unfolds via text in between 36 levels of short gameplay. Each level is a side-scrolling adventure across a new environment filled with platforming challenges, critter enemies, and puzzles involving objects you can pick up and move. You play as the little mouse hero Despereaux and see the world from his perspective.

You use the multi-directional pad to make Despereaux move, and use the "A," "B," "X," and "Y" buttons to make him do special things like jump, crouch, use grapple hooks, and wield his sword. He can also scurry up walls, jump from wall to wall, and climb up ropes. The DS stylus is used to transfer flames from lit torches to unlit candles and torches.

While this is a linear game which doesn't take very long to complete (under five hours), its gameplay is fun and the 36 levels are inventive. For example, if you lead menacing rats to a mousetrap and jump over it, they will run right into it and get snagged. Likewise, if you transfer light from a torch to a candle, the mean rats will cower, shake with fear, and ignore you.

This game is great for kids because it has frequent save points and a generous number of lives. When you fall off a cliff or get attacked by rats, you will be returned to a spot close to where you were in the level and can try to figure out a better way to proceed. There are even hidden musical notes in each level which, if found, unlock the six bonus levels--providing motivation to replay levels. The graphics are also quite good, making this mouse-viewed world fascinating to explore.

Notes

Playability: Medium. Starts easy, but gets harder.

Reading Required: Medium

Graphics: High. This mouse-viewed world is fascinating to see.

The console games of the same title are different from this edition.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this is a video game based on the movie, "The Tale of Despereaux." While it is a side-scrolling platform game with environmental puzzles, it also has some combat, so if you are looking for a violence-free game, this isn't it.

The violence is very mild and involves the lead character, Despereaux the mouse, wielding a sewing needle sword to dispatch bugs and other creatures that get in his way. The hit creatures fade away, without any blood.

Families can talk about what made Despereaux differerent. Why were the other mice so afraid of Despereaux's behavior? Did you buy this game because you saw the movie? How do you think Despereaux felt about his own family? About the Princess Pea? What made him a hero?

Publisher: Atari Genre: Video Games - Action/Adventure Release Date: 12/12/2008 Platform(s): Nintendo DS Online Enabled: No ESRB Rating: E ESRB Explanation: Mild Cartoon Violence Price: $29.99

Reviewed by Jinny Gudmundsen.

See more about The Tale of Despereaux (DS) at Common Sense Media.