Stranger Things - BonusXP, Inc.

This review of Stranger Things was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 23 November 2017.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Stranger Things contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

Played for several hours.

App description

This game has been formulated to resemble 80's style graphics, music and game play to complement the Netflix series which is set in the same decade. Game play follows the events that take place in the series - namely that a child has gone missing and the small town’s cop and child’s friends encounter supernatural forces in their search for him. Players must navigate the environments and work out what needs to be done to progress through levels (e.g. how to get past a bear without being attacked, so that you can obtain a key card – which then opens a door to a pathway, etc.). Players will need good strategy, patience and memory as many areas need to be back-tracked in order to progress to the next level. Due to violence, supernatural themes and alcohol and drug references, this game is not recommended for children 12 years and under with parental guidance for children aged 13 – 15 years.

Reviewers comments

Visually, the game is very comic looking, with cute characters which may be appealing to young children. However, Stranger Things (the Netflix series) is quite dark and ominous and this game reflects this more through the story line and the character narratives, and the music that accompanies the game. On the title screen, there’s an ad which states that the show is now streaming on Netflix. Children may assume that the show is more child friendly based on the game’s overall appearance, and without parental passwords securing adult content, may be tempted to watch the show itself. It is very likely that many children would find the show disturbing. Apart from this, the game has no other ads, no in-app purchasing and no social media connectivity.

In App purchasing

None.

Online information

N/A.

Gambling

At the time of review, the reviewer found no simulated gambling content.  If you discover simulated gambling content in this app, please contact us with the details so we can update our review

Advertising and product placement

The game itself appears to be a promotional tool for the Netflix series.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

There may be sexual references – as the developers state this – but the reviewer did not discover any during their game play.

Coarse language

Mild course language and crude humour can be read through character’s voice bubbles.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

The game may spark interest in watching the show – which is much darker than this game might indicate.

Other

N/A.

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