Toca Boca World – A Whole New Level of Dollhouse

Do you remember those days as a kid, when one time you were a superhero, leaping from chair to chair as if they were towering buildings, and the next, a king draped in a royal blanket-gown, ruling a whole kingdom? The freedom to be whatever you want brings so much joy, and that’s why Toca Boca World has been my favorite since I was a little girl. It’s rare to see a game that is so invested in children’s experience, understand their mind, and nourish their curiosity. It takes the imaginative worlds children create in their minds and brings them to life on-screen.

Toca Boca World is released in 2018 as a mergence of every app in the Toca Life universe. The open-ended approach of these Toca Life games, now Toca Boca World, encourages creativity, exploration, and self-expression in a way few digital games manage to achieve. Children can be chefs, doctors, superstar, or simply creators of their own narratives. In Toca Boca World, no playing session is going to look the same. It’s up to players to decide how they interact with the game’s contents. Items can be moved around by simple drag and drop gestures, so even kids as young as four or five can play without any help. There are 90 locations, over 500 characters (players can also customize their own characters!), and a home design feature. Kids can mix and match characters across various locations, change outfits, swap items, and create their own stories in countless ways. No rush, no scoring, no failing, just simply…PLAY! 

It’s hard to find a game that is both educational and appealing to children, and at the same time so open that their imaginative nature can develop. But Toca Boca World has done that brilliantly—it is the Barbie doll in this digital era.  It seamlessly blends fun with learning without kids even realizing it. Each time a child role-plays in different scenarios—whether it’s directing a movie, handling patients in a hospital, or managing a pet store—they’re tapping into their problem-solving skills, learning about social interactions. They decide on actions, think through outcomes, and become little world-builders. The lack of strict objectives also encourages them to focus on the process of playing and discovering rather than a result or reward. It’s like giving kids a safe space to “play adult” and explore situations they see in real life, but with the safety net of play.  This type of play also nurtures independence and reinforces that there’s no “right” way to have fun or tell a story.

Visually, Toca Boca World feels like a cartoon movie, and I think this is a significant part of its charm. The colors are vibrant, the animations smooth, and the characters are quirky and endearing. Especially, the characters designs are not limited to human form, but also appealingly weird monsters and objects, representing various cultures and lifestyles. Each location is uniquely and carefully crafted, from big furnitures to small decorative ornaments. The audio is lively with giggles, gasps, and just enough thematic background music to keep players engaged without distraction. The humor revealed through the game’s details matches so well with children’s energy: lighthearted, silly, and spontaneous.

Another attractive point of Toca Boca World is that the developers always keep things fresh with frequent updates and expansions. New locations, characters, and features are regularly released, often reflecting the seasons and holidays, making the game feel like an actual ongoing world. However, the base game only offers a few sets of free locations, and these add-ons are pricey, so it costs a significant amount to be able to experience everything the game offers.

 

The open-ended nature of Toca Boca World is one of its greatest strengths, but it might be less engaging over time for some people. The game has no goals or challenges to strive for; and everything is available from the start, so no new content to “unlock” throughout the gameplay. For kids or players who thrive on working toward specific tasks or completing missions, the game’s structure might feel repetitive or aimless. I myself, after a long time playing, now only open it when there’s new update (but the experience is still fresh to me). In any case, the game’s manifesto is simply to create an environment that players can be creative and curious in a way that suits their unique personalities, and to be inclusive, catering to a wider range of ages, abilities, and interests. 

Overall, Toca Boca World presents a digital playground that is as fun, quirky, and unpredictable as the minds of the young players. Even though it is designed for kids, it is still appealing to an adult like me. If you’re into playing games with your own rules, love making things up in your mind, or want to escape reality and live another life, or just simply like adorable stuff, well then this game is for you.

 

Basic information:

Developer/Publisher: Toca Boca AB

Platforms: iOS, Android, Fire OS

Release Date: 18th November 2018

Genres: Simulation, Educational

Photos: Screenshots from Toca Boca World, taken by the author

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