Game images by RAWG
MONOPOLY: The Board Game
Marmalade Game Studio
About This Game
Super ReviewMONOPOLY: The Board Game brings the classic property-trading experience to mobile with faithful rules and digital convenience. It’s an excellent tool for teaching financial concepts and strategic thinking through competitive play. However, parents should be aware of in-app purchases and the online multiplayer features that include chat, which, while intended for friends, introduce social interaction risks. It's a mixed fit, best with clear family rules.
Super Review
Parent verdict
MONOPOLY: The Board Game offers a faithful digital adaptation of the classic board game, making it a qualified fit for families. Its health score of 30 reflects a balance of significant educational benefits in financial literacy against concerns regarding in-app purchases and online social features. This game is best for families willing to engage with players during gameplay and establish clear limits around spending and online interaction. It’s a compelling way to practice math and strategic thinking, provided the competitive nature and potential for IAP are managed.
What players actually do
- Players roll dice and move their token, making decisions about buying properties, which exercises basic probability and risk assessment.
- Players engage in negotiations and trades with opponents to acquire desired properties, developing strategic thinking and bargaining skills.
- Players manage their money, paying rent, collecting income, and budgeting for property development, teaching fundamental financial literacy and math skills.
Where it shines
- The game provides exceptional learning opportunities, naturally teaching financial literacy, strategic planning, and basic mathematics through its core gameplay loop.
- The inclusion of both online multiplayer and local 'Pass & Play' modes offers flexible play options, making it suitable for both solo challenges against AI and social gatherings.
Parent watch-outs
- The game is a premium app and features additional in-app purchases, which could lead to unexpected spending.
- Online multiplayer includes video and text chat capabilities, primarily intended for friends, but still introducing potential social interaction risks.
Family rules worth setting
- Set strict limits on in-app purchases by disabling them on the device or ensuring explicit permission is required for any transaction.
- For younger players, restrict online multiplayer to known friends only, and consider disabling chat features or supervising online sessions.
Talk about this
- Discuss the strategies used during property trading and negotiation, focusing on how to make fair deals and understand value.
- Talk about the concept of financial risk and reward in the game, relating it to real-world money management and budgeting.
Play style
Sessions can vary widely in length, from quick AI matches to lengthy multiplayer showdowns that often exceed an hour, reflecting the traditional board game's rhythm. The difficulty is adaptive with AI settings, and players may need help understanding complex financial decisions or negotiating tactics. It supports both solo play against AI and various social modes, including offline Pass & Play and online multiplayer with friends, fostering competitive interaction.
Score Breakdown
Positive Aspects
Risk Factors
Why this rating
Educational Value
5/5MONOPOLY: The Board Game earns a high score for Educational Value (5) due to its inherent capacity to teach crucial financial literacy, strategic thinking, and basic math skills. Players learn about budgeting, risk assessment, and negotiation as they manage properties and money throughout the game.
Addictive Monetization
4/5The Addictive Monetization score of 4 is assigned because the game is a premium app that also includes additional in-app purchases. While the developer states these are not 'pay-to-win,' their presence in a paid title introduces a notable risk of unexpected spending.
Social Risk
3/5Social Risk receives a score of 3 due to the inclusion of online multiplayer with video and text chat features. Although these are intended for play with friends, any direct communication feature carries inherent risks for younger players and requires parental oversight.
Negatives
- •The core gameplay loop of bankrupting opponents after acquiring property is flagged as a gambling-like theme.
- •Includes online multiplayer with video and text chat features that are intended for play with friends.
- •Creative opportunities are limited to customizing house rules.
- •The game is a paid app and also includes additional in-app purchases.
Positives
- •Exceptional learning opportunities in financial literacy, strategic thinking, and negotiation.
- •Teaches fundamental math skills, budgeting, and risk assessment.
- •Options for both online multiplayer and local Pass & Play modes.
- •Free of advertisements and pay-to-win mechanics.
Gameplay Videos
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Official Ratings
No official ratings available.
Age Fit
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