Review: Disney Princess Enchanted Journey Video Game

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

13 Aug 2009 10:17 AM

Let's face it, there aren't too many video games out there that are created for girls, especially little girls. That is why we were so excited to spot this game at our local library. We usually check video games for our Wii from the library first. for our Wii. It is a lot less expensive than buying full games only to find that the play value wasn't worth the money.

But even after playing DPEJ, my daughter wanted to check it out again and again, even after solving the game.

This game has all of the core princesses, as well as a lot of other things to appeal to little girls whose favorite things are pink and dresses. At the same time, it offers little girls a sense of accomplishment and independence. There are no princes to rely upon. Instead, the player must help the four princesses herself, solving the puzzles along the way and defeating the menacing bogs, little creatures who like to cause trouble.

The game is pretty easy to play, even for younger girls. It is a nice calm game, and no one ever dies of course. DPEJ can be played alone or with an additional player, such as mom, or a very understanding big brother. Despite his age and the overdoes of princess stuff, the game held enough interest because of the exploring and problem solving to keep my older son's interest.

The puzzles are self correcting, so there is little frustration while still offering a challenge, especially at the harder levels. If a player gets stuck wandering around and not knowing where to go, she can simply follow them gem path, collecting those gems along the way. Players can visit the different princess worlds as they desire, and some worlds are harder than others.

Lower levels must be solved before the higher levels can be entered, but only within a given princess world. This is because each world follows a specific story line. Ariel needs music restored to her world, Cinderella's world has seen time run amok, etc.

The graphics are warm and colorful, the characters are familiar Disney favorites, including side kicks such as "Gus Gus," Cinderella's mouse friend and Abu, from Aladdin. While the scenery is atmospheric, there is nothing scary about it at all. The hints of glitter here and there are pretty and appealing to any little princess-loving girl.

As the game begins, the player sets up her character and has her choice of hair, skin, eyes, dress and accessories. She is given a wand and is off to explore the four princess worlds. Upon solving the game, she is rewarded with a fifth mini world and a gold dress and accessories.

My daughter, at four-and-a-half was able to solve the game without too much help. At first I was disappointed at the play value, but I shouldn't have been. She enjoys going back to the game and starting over, even enlisting daddy to play with her. Daddy is a good sport and makes a lovely princess.

Despite the fact that this game came out last fall, we could not find a used copy of it locally. The store manager I spoke with said that they sell a lot of the game new, but hardly ever see it come in used. A new copy of this game will cost you anywhere from $18.49 to $19.99.

I would definitely recommend Disney Princess Enchanted Journey for little girls aged 4 through 7, and it is rated E for Everyone. Older kids may become bored after solving the game.

This review is based on the Wii version of the game. Additional platforms include the Playstation 2, Nintendo DS and IBM based PCs.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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