Across each of the 6 storylines, there are 18 hidden Red Bricks (one per Act). These amplify your abilities, from faster building, to showing the map, to indestructable heroes. (similar to the Red Bricks in the LEGO console games).

If you get stuck on a level, take a break and pursue one of the other 5 storylines. And after a few red-bricks, you will be supercharged and able to break through whatever was holding you back.

PS> something that was not documented well is how to turn the Red Bricks on (they are off by default, even after discovered). Once in an episode, click the Start button. In the lower-left corner is a Red Brick. Click it and you will see the list of bricks that you have discovered. Turn each on and return to your story – super charged.

In the “War Machines” level, he cannot figure out how you destroy the enemy walls?

Do you have any advice?

Thanks.

Peace,

James

In the case of Lego Battles, the wizard people are perhaps 3 millimeters tall and are simply characters, mixed between aliens and pirates. As they are just playable pieces, I would let any child of God or man play with them that can operate a Nintendo DS and has an interest in that battles/army gameplay.

In the case of Harry Potter, I am much more careful. I read the books with my older son (after he turned 9) so that I could have first hand knowledge of what was in the pages. I made the choice after reading ahead in the first book and appreciable prayer. I wanted him to be challenged as a reader – and to be in the world and not so sheltered that he did not have connection points with his friends whom he could influence for the greater good. In his case, he had a very clear understanding of God’s true power in comparison to fictional storytelling and we discussed it periodically as he and I journeyed through the Hogwarts stories together. And even then, there are boundaries. We read all 7 books, but he has only been allowed to watch the first 4 movies. As the latter movies address issues that were not as prevalent or upfront in the books. My other boy is now 9 and I am not ready for him to start that path. While his prayer life is satisfactory, he does not have the same emotional makeup and groundedness that I can be comfortable with introducing what can be confusing explanations and delineations.

So, Lego:Battles is a “Everyone” … if they like lego’s in person and they own a DS, let ‘em play !!

Harry Potter is a “Individual Basis, for faith/maturity purposes” Once you believe that your child can clearly and definitively understand the difference between ficticious magic and God’s wonder, then the series provides some amazing reading and an immersive world that provides the context for some fun gaming, too.