By Rachael Shugars, AAP Entertainment Writer

I like adventure games. I like the thrill of a good story line. I love sprawling, beautiful graphics. They keep me coming back for more and can, sometimes, lead to hours of gaming without even realizing it. The game I’m reviewing this month was a surprise discovery thanks to my 5-year-old, who saw the cover and insisted that I download the game immediately. He’s just so darn cute, I couldn’t say no. And I’m glad I didn’t. Pixelopus designed a game through Sony called Concrete Genie. It’s available through the PlayStation 4 console.

The game takes you into a small, run down town where a boy named Ash gets bullied constantly by a group of troublemakers who have all but taken over the area. Through the magic of art and imagination, you help Ash save his beloved town and get rid of the bullies along with some other fantastical creatures. There is a lot to be said for this little gem of a game.

I’ll start with the cons. The story line isn’t complex. This isn’t to say it’s bad; I really enjoyed it. But if you are looking for something like Bioshock or Final Fantasy, then this isn’t the game for you. The game is a bit “chunky.” The graphics aren’t the best I have ever seen and it comes across as a little unfinished visually. HOWEVER, there is an aspect of the art in the game that blew me away. The cinematic shots you get throughout the game can be really fantastic. The soundtrack/music in the game is nothing to write home about, but it does the job of setting the scenes well. Lastly, there aren’t a ton of enemies to battle and the ones that exist aren’t that scary. I did realize that my 5-year-old was quite afraid of the bullies and would root me on as a bested them.

The pros of the game are simple. It’s a great, family friendly, interesting game to play. The artwork and magic elements of the game are a saving grace. The hero(s) in the game really have you rooting for them. The main character, Ash, also seems to have some incredible parkour abilities and a possible future as an adult video game character in a more expansive game world. The controls take some getting used to, but after a short time it’s easy to get used to and has some interactive elements that get you moving a little more than a regular button masher. The best pro of all is the message the game delivers on the importance of kindness. We don’t always know what someone is struggling with and their actions can sometimes be a reaction to something deeper.

Concrete Genie was release on October of 2019 and won the Gamescon Award for the Best Family Game. It’s also been nominated for another 17 categories in gaming awards in the last year and a half. The game has some potential for sequels and there have been whispers is a VR experience in the works which would add even more fun to the adventure. Either way, this game is worth giving a try.

Be sure to let me know what you think if you decide to play Concrete Genie by going to my AAP Gaming Adventures page on Facebook. Enjoy your Game Adventures!