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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Ratchet and Clank

14 replies

Notquitesotiredmum · 08/05/2006 16:23

Anyone come across this playstation game? We have been allowing ds1 (aged 6) to play ps2 for strictly limited times and making sure he does lots of other things, with success. but this game seems to be making him quite hyper. Several of his sensible friends play it, but other mums have commented that it seems more addictive than other games - rather like blue smarties? Any experience of it out there?

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iota · 08/05/2006 16:34

my kids have it - they've only had it for a couple of weeks so it's a current fav.

They do play a lot of other games though - car racing and snowboarding and so on

iota · 08/05/2006 16:42

kids have been playing R&C since we got in at 3.30, but are now watching Discovery Kids, so it can't be that gripping

SaintGeorge · 08/05/2006 16:53

It is quite an addictive game if you like the format (guilty as charged guv) but I am strict with rationing the kids use of the PS2 anyway.

Shame I'm not quite as strict with myself

Can't say I've noticed them getting hyper over it though.

serenity · 08/05/2006 17:02

DSs played with it for a while and then got into another one, and obsessed on that one instead! I wouldn't say it was any more 'addictive' than any other game tbh. As far as I can see kids like the familiarity of things and will attach themselves to things for periods of time. DS1 used to love watching Thomas the tank, and would have happily done it for hours. DD is the same about Toy Story/Monsters Inc/Madagascar.

Original poster

Notquitesotiredmum · 08/05/2006 18:19

Thanks - that sounds reassuring. It is not universally addictive then. I'd met three mums this week who have found it giving them problems (basically supertantrums at switch off time, which don't seem to happen with other games.) I can see that it is more challenging than our other games (ds1 has gone off everything else at the moment) and the stages seem to be set just so that there is always another reward just around the corner (which also means that it is always inconvenient to stop).

Any more advice on how to manage playstations and stay sane as a parent?

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Original poster

Notquitesotiredmum · 08/05/2006 18:25

PS I like your daughter's tastes Serenity. Monsters inc is one of my favourite films ever! And I can watch the other two over and over with the dss too, and still enjoy them - unlike some films.

OP posts:

iota · 08/05/2006 18:26

I just show them who's boss - I threatened to take the controllers away if they didn't do as they were told - only had to do it once

Piffle · 08/05/2006 18:29

ds loves it he played it age 6
WE found it kept him very happy, not making him hyper at all.... it has some good funny commentary and it is the only game I have ever approved of!

Piffle · 08/05/2006 18:30

rules!!!
after homework, after bath and chores, turn off 10 mins before you need to watch the news (as they cannot just save the game anywhere and they will use your ignorance to play for longer alleging "looking for a save point MUM")

serenity · 08/05/2006 18:35

I'm a lot more liberal about its use than most people on here, but I agree. Rules, and stick to them and no games if they break them. For us....
No games before lunch
No games on an after school activity night
Games off by 6, so table can be set for dinner
Take turns or you don't play at all
Any fighting or whinging it goes off.

SaintGeorge · 08/05/2006 18:35

Jak & Dexter is good too Piffle, similar style of game and graphics.

fullmoonfish · 08/05/2006 18:51

mine was addicted (waking uo early and going down to play some more!) but completedthe game quite quickly and hasn't touched it since.
Agree with setting rules and, er, sticking to them (I cave in way too quickly on wet half-term holidays )

Piffle · 09/05/2006 08:46

yes ds is 12 now and kinda ourgrowing some games, he has Jaxter and Daz or whatever its called, he now prefers racing cars...

louise35 · 09/05/2006 18:27

My DD was quite addicted to this game and sometimes used to get up early in the morning and I used to find her on Playstation. I must admit I once had a go on it myself and ended up dreaming about it that night so I think it had a bit of a grip on me lol but computer games tend to have that effect on me anyway. All kids are different, some get more into the games than others but I think ratchet and clank was a highly entertaining game to play. I ended up taking playstation away from DD though because she would have been on it all hours if I'd let her get away with it and I would rather her do something more constructive, especially now the weather is warmer

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