Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends "Hero of the Rails" for the Wii - a Review

Baby Boy is two years old and loves to play on the Wii, unfortunately for him, most of the games are just a little too complicated for him to play with any great success. When Ubisoft asked if I would be interested in reviewing a new Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends Game titled "Hero of the Rails" I knew that Thomas mad Baby Boy would adore the game.

The first screen gives you two options, you can either go to a "Story" section or a "Game" section. On our first play Daddy went to the Game section and we chose a random game which was a race between two engines, one of which is controlled by your hand movements on the Wii controller. The game started before explaining how you were to use the controller to make your engine move and Daddy found himself working very hard to catch up (and then overtake) the engine he was racing.

Baby Boy, Top Ender and I played the other games taking turns as they are all one player games and I was thinking that this might not be a good game as it was rather boring and didn't seem to be as great as I was expecting for something associated with Thomas the Tank Engine brand.

After doing all the games, we decided to listen to the story. I was sitting on the floor when suddenly I realised that the story needs input in order to progress. All the games that we had just been playing in the Games Section are in the story! This put a new spin on things and even Top Ender (who says that she doesn't like Thomas the Tank Engine) was enjoying helping Thomas and friends help save a long forgotten steam engine called Hiro (Yes like in Heroes) get fixed up all whilst keeping it secret from Spencer.

Baby Boy found the game easier for him to complete than other games that we have and it took thirty minutes to listen to the story and do the games within the story. Daddy was a bit worried that Baby Boy would get bored after he had completed the game, but he has asked to play it again on a couple of occasions and has played along with little or no help from me.

The game has an RRP of £19.99 and is rated PEGI 3 and I think that this is a great game to get for younger Wii users, as they will get to grips with what they need to do quite quickly and it uses characters that they are familiar with, as I don't think I know any children who don't know of Thomas the Tank Engine!

The Tale of Princess Top Ender and Baron Teenager Boy (and friends)

Once upon a time in a kingdom far away there lived a brave princess called Top Ender, who enjoyed playing on Arcade Games, such as The Fast and the Furious Super Bikes Racing Arcade Game. As a treat The King and Queen had taken the brave princess to the Kingdom of Brighton pier, where such a game existed.



Also in the kingdom, was Baron Teenager Boy. Baron Teenager Boy and his court also enjoyed playing The Fast and the Furious Super Bikes Racing Arcade Game and would often be found of an evening practising their skills, in order to impress the local Teenager Maidens.


And so it came to pass that both Princess Top Ender and Baron Teenager Boy were both going to race in the same race, as they has placed their coins into the machine at the same time. King Daddy stood next to Princess Top Ender, (Queen Mummy and Prince Baby Boy were posing for the court artist) as she navigated the course and Baron Teenager Boy's court stood with him.


As the race finished the court of Baron Teenager Boy congratulated the Baron on his triumphant 4th place victory. King Daddy looked at Princess Top Ender before clearing his throat loud enough for the Baron and his court to hear.


The Baron and the Court looked over to where Princess Top Ender was still sat on her motorbike and in front of the screen that showed a large "3rd".


The Baron Teenager Boy was then horrified that he had been beaten by a Princess, and not just any Princess but a five year old Princess. As the Baron left the Kingdom his Court could be heard calling out about how he had been beaten by such a young Princess and the Baron vowing that he would never play a Princess at the game again.

Princess Top Ender however took it all in her stride. After all, she was the best motorbike riding Princess around!

The End

Top Ender Giggles - A little out there in the theory stakes

Top Ender was wearing a Disney Princess necklace yesterday (Princess Aurora if you don't know) and when in a supermarket a young girl was admiring it

"She said it was nice, and I said Thank you and then smiled and she smiled back" Top Ender said without pausing for breath
"That was nice, if you were a Sim you would totally get a new bar for that interaction" I said
"If I was a Sim we would be some Giants little toy" said Top Ender
"How do you know we aren't?" I asked
"Don't confuse me Mummy" said Top Ender

Top Ender Giggles - The chair has my bum imprint on it

I started a new job recently, I work online from home a few evenings a week.

"Mummy are you going to go to work?"
"I'm already there Top Ender!"
"No your not your at the computer!"
"Yes, this is where I work."
"Oh, I thought it was where you played The Sims."

Top Ender Giggles - Planning ahead

"Mummy, I don't want to do writing today" said Top Ender
"What would you like to do instead Top Ender?"
"Why don't you teach me how to play Computer Games instead?"