Girl Talk
Copyright: KBkids.com
The generations old game of Truth and Dare has now entered the PC age. Hasbro's board game, Girl Talk is now available for the computer. If the whole idea of Truth or Dare, and pointless chit chat leaves you cold, you will do better selecting one of the Rockett programs. These are still geared toward girls, but promote more thinking.
Girl Talk can be played by one girl, a group of up to four girls, or over the Internet. Although the girl-talk.com site asks for 'girls only,' the idea of Truth of Dare over the Internet may not be the wisest plan. The home version is a much safer idea. From Girl Talk Central (a girls' bedroom) you can access eight different worlds. Each world represents an area of interest for pre-teen girls. The following areas are included:
- School Daze-talk about social, school related subjects
- Entertain This- talk about movie stars, TV shows, music and more
- Styley-the place to chat about makeup, clothes etc.
- Sports Spin- talk about favorite athletes and sports
- Chick Chat- strictly girl talk telephone topics
- Home Sweet Home-a place to talk about family members and home life
- Boy Buzz-pretty self-explanatory, and a popular spot for girls this age
- Time Trip-chat about things in the past, present and future
The object of the game is to answer questions correctly, earning points. If a player earns 25 points, they get to have their fortune told. This is accomplished by selecting a card from the Shhhh Box, or asking Madame Rondeau a question. This is similar to a Quiji Board, or one of those magic balls that say "Yes" or "No" when you turn them upside down. The ultimate punishment is a zit. If you answer a question incorrectly, you must select a zit and place it on your virtual face. When enough questions are answered correctly, the zits are taken away. These zits really bothered one ten year old tester. She felt very judged for answering what she saw as very silly questions incorrectly. Keep in mind that some reading is required, and 8 year olds may not be familiar with all of the 'girl lingo' used throughout.
Truth and Dare only enters the program occasionally. A girl may be told to act like a chicken for 30 seconds or choose another zit. This is only in the multi-player mode, as the other players must 'judge' the completion of the dare.
There is nothing of any true educational value here. The questions are silly and rather pointless in most cases. Examples include:
- The one you're using right now probably doesn't squeak. What am I thinking of? A mouse.
- Crunch the stuff you need when you've got the flu. Various items pop up for you to hit with a hammer.
- Catch four things that are birthday goodies. You must catch only the correct objects as they fall down.
- If your date calls on Tuesday and the date is set for Friday, how many days do you have to wait?
- Looking at a portion of a picture you are asked: Is this a mashed daffodil, a banana peel, or a squished "slipper."
- As part of the 'mad lib' activity called Q Cards you are asked: What best describes the men in your family? Tall, Goofy or Cool.
There aren't even interesting conversations about things that interest girls. The interface of the program felt frenetic, and the questions shallow. A journal is included, which does give this program some redeeming value. Even here, some of the emphasis may bother some parents. Girls are encouraged to write down their dreams and then look up what those dreams may mean in a special glossary. Writing in slang is also encouraged. The emphasis on shallow, trivial topics and fortune telling became annoying.
Bottom Line: A trivial program based on the game Truth or Dare. The Rockett programs are a better choice for pre-teen girls who want 'girl stuff.' Despite my best efforts, however, two years later my 12 year old still pulls this program out with her friends on occasion....in fact, it is in the computer as I write! :-\
Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)
Overall: 2 1/2
BrainGain: 1
FunFactor: 2 1/2
EasePlease: 3
Buy Girl Talk (Jewel Case) at Amazon!
