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Devices: iPhone • iPad • Android
Thomas & Friends Minis
An entertaining game from Budge Studios that allows kids to customize and build virtual & AR train rails for mini Thomas & Friends engines to jump and ride.
ABOUT
Thomas & Friends Minis has a lot of basic tracks and trains available in the free version and kids will enjoy the customization and variety offered from the download. The augmented reality feature is very cool and adds a level of excitement for kids and adults alike.
That being said, it is clear this game wants to make money and will advertise to your child at random times to garner interest in their many sets for purchase. While there are good basic items that come free, they quickly become less interesting and bland when compared to the setpieces in James’ Jurassic Cove, Spencer’s Aqua Park. Percy’s Spooky Park, etc, which the frequent advertisements are designed to facilitate.
There are many ads on the main menu before you get in the game for other apps from the same developer, as well as occasional video ads. There are also about 10 in-app purchases ranging from $2-$10 each.
The developers have put thought into their privacy policy to comply with COPPA. Children should be safe using this app.
This game is just for fun and is listed under “Entertainment” on the App store. Don’t expect any educational content.
SCREENSHOTS
GAME PLAY
The menu opens up on the title screen with a moving ad banner on the bottom of the screen featuring ads for other apps and games by this developer. Once you pass this screen, you are taken to a screen with a row of tables to swipe through. On these tables, you have two mats to build your own creations on and one mat that has a set you can follow instructions to build. The rest of the 10 tables are all virtual box sets for purchase that include new sets, structures, track types, and trains/characters. These in-app purchases range from $2 to $10.
The gameplay consists of building your track on a 5×8 mat, (one piece=one square) using a variety of straight, curved, connected, ramp-type pieces, and more. Next, decorate your track with terrain features like tunnels, trees, rocks, homes, buildings, etc. Then, place the trains from your collection on the track, and watch them go!
Occasionally while creating the track or while enjoying it, a golden gear will appear somewhere on the construction mat, and if one of your trains collects three of these, you unlock a new set piece or train to play with in your collection. It appears to only add up to ten new items before you run out of free content to add to your collection.
This app also utilizes Alternate Reality, which is a mode that uses your device’s camera to “place” your track on a flat surface in the real world around you and view it on your device as if it were really in that space.
Occasionally, a video ad for one of the sets for purchase in the app will randomly pop up while you’re building. These are skippable.
REVIEWS
Thomas & Friends Minis
- Value
- Privacy
- Educational Value
- Ads
- In-App Purchases
- Editor Rating
3.1
Summary
As a free game, Thomas & Friends Minis gives kids a fun customizable train set that they can virtually place in the room around them. This is a great download for parents/kids who are either happy with the default free option, while being constantly reminded of the bigger, better flashier items for sale, or who just don’t mind ads/happy-making purchases that enrich an already fun experience.
Pros
Variety of basic track pieces included free
Utilization of cool Alternate Reality
Easy to learn and play
Fun limited rewards for collecting golden gears
Cons
Frequent ads or reminders of better sets
Many expensive in-app purchases.
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