Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Review

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? is a humorous quiz game based on the popular TV show. It features multiple-choice and true-or-false questions, and mini-games will test your proficiency in 24 different subjects containing a whooping 6800 questions. If you’re struggling to answer a question, you can always ask for help from your classmate that is associated with you.

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? is a game show game where players have to answer questions from various subjects such as Reading, Grammar, Spelling, Social Studies, Measurements, Math; along with 18 additional subjects. Once the host introduces themselves, they’ll pick a classmate for you to use as a lifeline of sorts should you happen to be stomped by the selected question. Each classmate specializes in specific subjects, so it can be useful picking a subject your classmate is proficient in. The game also features two hosts, Claudia and Theodore, and they’ll alternate while you climb your way up the 6th grade.

To answer each question, one of the face buttons will be assigned to an answer and you need to hold it down to lock your answer; also gives you a small window of opportunity to change your answer just in case. Between questions, the host will ask your classmate to provide interesting (laughing helps you live longer) or useless (Isak moved to San Francisco) information. All the yadi-yada can thankfully be skipped by holding down the A button. As you successfully answer questions during the solo mode called Exam Mode, you’ll earn points which in turn unlock new classmates and items to decorate your desk with.

Obviously, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? was designed with friends in mind. While it’s a blast with buddies as you try to best one another, the single-player content experience, Exam Mode, is pretty barebone, simple and straightforward. One wrong answer and it’s game over. While it does allow players to unlock aesthetic objects for their avatar, after a few rounds, it’s easy to become bored and turn it off. Also, the game won’t ask for your name. Instead, you’ll have a generic two-word title that can be changed. It’s a bit impersonal and obviously unfaithful to the game show; I don’t recall hearing or seeing Fictional Nerd on the Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? tv show.

Overall, the gameshow’s presentation through the game is pretty close to the real thing, adding a bit of immersion. Although the character models can be a bit reminiscent of your Xbox Avatar with their design, it was clearly designed for kids, although it can be fully enjoyed by adults as well. Sounds wise, not much to report, unfortunately. There are some generic instrumental songs, and the voiceover work is fine; albeit it can sound a bit phoned in at times. Having two hosts do add a small layer of variety. Additionally, when changing your “title”, and the hosts say it, it really sounds out of whack because you clearly hear the shift in tone.

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? is a surprisingly fun and addictive easy-to-pick up and play game. While the game will shine more with friends, the solo experience is actually pretty fun and entertaining as it gives you an opportunity to unlock a few cosmetic items. Obviously, most questions are pretty simple and straightforward; and you can even pause the game if you want to Google information. If you’re planning a family gathering or party with friends, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? is worth the investment.