SOE is already celebrating one million registered users for its newest browser-based game, so we decided to travel to a galaxy far, far away and see what this Stars Wars MMO can offer to a younger audience.

For younger children, the free-to-play option might actually be enough to keep them occupied. Older children, however, might get a little frustrated at the lack of options they have if they don't become a paid Jedi Member. Of the 19 mini-games that are currently available in Clone Wars Adventures, six of them can be played only if you have a subscription. Also, the higher levels of most of the mini-games can be played only if you're a Jedi Member. It's probably best to think of the free-to-play option as more of a free trial of the game. Honestly, a lifetime subscription of $49.99 is similar to the price of most console games on the market right now.

Oh, since we're on the topic of subscriptions, let's talk about the in-game currency. Actually, there are two types: Credits and Station Cash. Players earn Credits for beating mini-games, while Station Cash (as SOE fans are already aware) must be purchased with real money. Some items in the game can be bought using Credits, while others can only be purchased with Station Cash. Others require you to be a Jedi Master. For example, I purchased a small robot pet using my Credits. I can also purchase an R2-D2 pet using Credits, but I need to have a subscription to unlock it. Or I could buy a protocol droid pet (like C-3PO) with Station Cash.

All right, onto the mini-games! I must admit, most of them are fun. The controls for each game are incredibly simple and displayed each time you select a game. As I mentioned, only a handful are actually designed with multiple players in mind. For example, the Speeder Bike Racing game lets you zip around a course against other players, and the Lightsaber Duel requires you to hit a series of arrow keys faster than your opponent. Droid Programming is a puzzle game that's quite addicting, and I'd love to have it on my phone. Blaster Training lets players show off their shooting skills, while Rocket Rescue requires you to guide R2-D2 as he flies through the air collecting objects. There's even a Real Time Strategy (RTS) game called Republic Defender!

The mini-games are comprised of a good mixture of action, puzzle and strategy genres, but it's also great to see that Sony Online Entertainment added some with educational value to the list. Star Typer lets players use their typing skills to shoot at enemies, while Force Perception asks them to find the differences between photos. It's also worth noting that none of the games are incredibly violent.

Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures is targeted at kids, and it works. The games are highly entertaining, and players can feel a sense of accomplishment by earning trophies, showing off their high scores and customizing their characters. The MMO aspect of the game is almost purely social, but that's fine for younger players who are making their first foray into the world of online gaming. The main downfall is the limitations placed on the free-to-play service, but the monthly fee is low and the price of the lifetime subscription is reasonable. Also, it would be nice if a few more multi-player games were added to the mix. Older players may not be the intended audience, but all Star Wars fans should find some enjoyment in the mini-games. I still recommend tossing Jar Jar around in the Stunt Gungan game. It's totally worth signing up for a free account.

Darryl Gangloff, Editor-in-Chief