Toca Life World - Create stories & make your world review

One of the best ways we can engage our imaginations and express our creativity is through playing a game. When it comes to games that expand the mind and build on a child's innovation, Toca Life Word stands out as a perfect example. Developed and released by Toca Boca in November 2018, this is a game that provides endless opportunities for creating stories and exploring various aspects of life. It is specifically tailored for children between ages 6-12, but the simplistic and fun-filled design also makes it an attractive game for older audiences. Without any specific goals to complete or points to earn, this game is solely based on creating a world of your own while having fun. Nevertheless, the versatile gameplay features and users' impressions give this game more depth than it might initially seem.

An in-depth look at Toca Life World

Toca Life World's charm lies in its simplified and relatable gameplay features. The game gives players a chance to build their world, creating narratives through various animated characters and numerous locations they can interact with. Through accessing a vast library of customizable features, players can design characters and environments that resonate vividly with their imaginations. From designing homes to arranging a day out at the park, the game provides a plethora of scenes and settings for the perfect storytelling experience.

One of the standout features of Toca Life World is its inclusivity. With its wide array of diverse characters and environments, it encourages players to create an inclusive world. It is a great way for parents to teach children about diversity and kindness in a fun, engaging medium.

The game provides an immersive gameplay experience rooted in reality but sprinkled with doses of whimsical fantasy. Players start with a single location, the Bop City, equipped with eight locations and 39 distinct characters. However, the game universe expands as you integrate other Toca Life apps into the world. The locations are much like those we find in the real world, including hairdressers, shopping centers, restaurants, apartments, and more.

Within the open-ended play, children can experiment with their storylines and scenarios. They can take characters shopping, feed them at a restaurant, get their hair styled at a salon, or simply enjoy a fun day at the amusement park. The everyday experiences are imprinted into the game, encouraging kids to learn about various aspects of life through play. An intriguing aspect is the ability to influence the day-night cycle, changing the activities as per the time of day.

There is also a unique feature called the Surprise Boxes. They are randomly located throughout the world, and upon finding them, the players can uncover exciting accessories and costumes for their characters. It encourages exploration and rewards curiosity, which is critical in children's development.

Regarding the characters, the game takes customization to heart. You can change characters' hairstyles or outfits or blend in accessories to have them look precisely as you want. There's extreme diversity among the characters, not just in appearances but also in personalities and occupations.

A captivating hook of Toca Life World is the introduction of 'life secrets.' These entertaining elements lie hidden in the world, and players can uncover them as they navigate the game. For instance, there's a secret lab within the hair salon location doubling as a secret agent base, enhancing the mystery and fun.

Finally, the game encourages users to record their daily adventures in the Toca Life World. There's an in-game recording feature, allowing users to make up to two minutes of animated movies. They can make their own mini-series, documenting the characters' adventures or making video memories of their most exciting days in the game.

However, one possible downside of the game could be the in-app purchases. While the initial game is free to download and play, it offers quite a few in-app purchases that unlock additional locations and features. This might frustrate some players, especially younger ones, who might not have the allowance to spend on extra features.

The World Through the Users’ Eyes

The user impressions of the game clearly demonstrate its widespread popularity. There is a general consensus among users that this game, with its creative freedom and uniqueness, is an expressive and educational tool for children that nurtures their creativity. Its colorful graphics, extensive customization options, and immersive storytelling capabilities have garnered love from players around the globe.

Despite the frustrations caused occasionally by in-app purchases, players have consistently found innovative ways to navigate around this challenge, proving the game's exceptional powers of engagement.

Pros

• Gives players tremendous freedom to create and innovate;
• Represents and promotes diversity;
• Educational and fun to play;

Cons

• In-app purchase features can be frustrating for some players;
• May require frequent updates for best performance;
• Some players may not find it challenging due to a lack of set goals or missions.