FarmVille 2: Country Escape
FarmVille 2: Country Escape gallery
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that FarmVille 2: Country Escape is the mobile sibling of Facebook's FarmVille 2. The games aren't the same but can be linked for limited sharing of products among farms. Much like other games of the genre, everything takes time to grow, build, and produce. Some kids may have a hard time waiting and may want to make sometimes pricey in-game purchases such as coins, keys, and other items (with real money) to speed along production. Players are welcome and encouraged to join a co-op to help each other out; these have open chat, which is filtered but not moderated. Note: The app's terms require that users are 13 and over.?What kids can learn
Kids who like this kind of sim will enjoy earning new buildings, animals, and crops, as well as participating in the regular in-game events. There is some waiting involved as you develop your farm, which may be frustrating for some kids.
There isn't a lot of depth to the learning, but kids can work on budgeting, time management, and resource management. However, it's not a realistic example of actual farming or animal care. Co-ops and social media friends add a social aspect for those who want it, although this isn't emphasized as much as in previous FarmVille games.?
Kids can track progress via their experience meters, but there isn't an end point to work toward. Tutorials cover the basics at the beginning, and there's a fan community online for anyone who has a question, but they focus primarily on customer support issues.
What's it about?
FARMVILLE 2: COUNTRY ESCAPE sends you back to the farm to grow more crops, nurture farm animals such as sheep, cows, chickens, and pigs, and make plenty of products to sell. There's a wide range of goods to market, from peach yogurt to overalls to teddy bears. Depending on your interest, you can visit special areas to collect items: Want to go fishing? To the glade for berries? Or into the mine for gems? Once your products are ready, sell them to Eagle Eye Eddie (or one of the other in-game characters) or other players for profit. There also are? game-wide special events that have their own raw materials and products, as well as goals and prizes. Joining a co-op allows you to interact with and request help from other users. You'll also be able to count on your Facebook friends if you wish or play anonymously on your own.
Is it any good?
FARMVILLE 2: COUNTRY ESCAPE lets you join a colorful community with plenty of options for things to grow and make. The characters and animals are full of personality, making interaction lots of fun. However, things just seem to take off very slowly. It can take a long time for buildings to get completed, and there's a big issue with a lack of storage space for all your stuff. Kids who aren't that patient may start craving? in-app purchases, which can add up quickly (though the game itself is free to play). The highlight of the app is the roster of special events, such as barbecues and harvests, which occur regularly, giving users goals to work toward and a sense of fellowship.? Things get progressively more interesting as your farm grows -- it's just a matter of whether you're patient enough to get there.
Families can talk about...
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Families can talk about farming, what it's really like to grow your own food, and how long different foods take to grow.
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Plant your own vegetable or windowsill garden and take care of it as a family. What do you notice as things begin to grow? Is it difficult to work with other people to make sure everything gets done??
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Find recipes for some of the items in the game (chive butter, scones, apple pie) and make them together.
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Discuss online safety and what is -- and isn't -- appropriate for online chat.?
App details
| Devices: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android |
| Price: | Free with in-app purchases |
| Pricing structure: | Free |
| Release date: | August 13, 2014 |
| Category: | Simulation Games |
| Topics: | Horses and farm animals |
| Size: | 71.40 MB |
| Publisher: | Zynga |
| Version: | 1.9.113 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 5.1, Android 4.0.3 |
