SHEEP RAIDER

Reviewed By: Scott Ward
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: PlayStation 1
Produced by: Infogrames
Price Range: $20
Learning curve time: 1 hr.
Age level: 7+
ESRB Rating: Everyone

Genre: Action
Christian Rating: 4 of 5
   (slightly offensive)
Gameplay: 4 of 5
   (good)
Violence: 4 of 5
   (barely present)
Adult Content: 4 of 5
   (barely present)

Do you remember the Looney Tunes cartoon with the Sheepdog and the Wolf that looked like Wile E. Coyote with a red nose? You know… the one where the wolf would try to steal sheep and the Sheepdog would catch him, and they both worked for the same company. Yeah! That one!

Well, now there's a game based on it. You're Ralph Wolf and you've been invited to participate in a game show (hosted by Daffy Duck) called Sheep, Dog, and Wolf. Your job is to visit fields and steal sheep. That's half of it. After you've moved the sheep out of the fold, you've got to get it to your target.

Using the whole arsenal of classic Looney Tunes gags, Sheep Raider is one of the best Looney Tunes games I've ever seen. The puzzles for accomplishing your goal are challenging and require both logical and cartoon thought. Don't worry. Daffy, Porky, and company are there to help you learn.

From a Christian moral standpoint, there are minor problems with this game. First and foremost is the fact that you're trying to steal sheep. It would probably be a good idea to explain to kids that this is a game like tag or hide and seek, and minimalize the stealing aspect. The only other issue is the classic Looney Tunes violence (TNT, getting “bonked” by the dog, getting eaten by a cartoon shark, etc.). If your kids don't mind the cartoons, they shouldn't mind here.

All in all, this is a surprisingly enjoyable and complex game, fun for kids and adults. It's also inexpensive for a new release. I encourage you to check it out!

Year of Release—2001

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.