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Toy Reviews

By CK Advisory Board member Sarah Condie

Name of Toy: The Game of Life, A Jedi's Path
Company: Milton Bradley Hasbro Games
Type of Toy: Board game
Age Recommendation: Ages 9 and up

The force is strong within you, my young padawan learner. You have been selected to test your skills in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. You will be trained in the Jedi arts while playing the Star Wars version of Milton Bradley's game of Life. This new game from Hasbro is the newest in a long line of Star Wars collector toys.

Now to tell you the truth, when I received this game from CK I wasn't too excited. I thought it was only for boys. I brought the game out at our family game time and tried to set the game up. At first it seemed impossible. All the pieces were everywhere and set up was very difficult. My dad however was very encouraging and we went through the directions step by step which were very clearly written. After a while we had figured it out. Even though it wasn't self-explanatory, my dad and I like to think that the force led us through the directions.

The object of the game is to weave yourself through a maze of twists and turns without taking the dark path. Those who choose the dark path will never return. Once you arrive at the Jedi Council room, you must take the trials. Throughout the game you will be collecting skill tiles. If you don't have enough skill tiles at the end of the game you will lose. The skill tiles represent things that all kids today can use. They are energy, logic, fighting, and intuition. After all the players have reached the end it is easy to determine the winner. If all the players become Jedi Knights then the one with the most skill wins. The same is true with the Sith Lords. The one with the most skill wins. In the case of a tie, spin for the win.

I would recommend this game to kids ages nine and up as the box suggests because of the level of difficulty. The game is definitely creative and playing it will help your skills in imagination soar.

I had a great time playing this with my dad. I learned a lot from this game as well. As I am getting ready to leave for the national fencing championships, anytime I feel nervous or worried, I will just think of my Epee as a light Saber. I will view all my opponents as if they are fencing for the dark side and the light of the force will help me. After all, fencing or any sport any of you kids might play is really just a game of Life. May the Force be with you. (June, 2002)

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