children's software review

Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt (Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends)

Ages: 4-6   Subject: Early Learning   Brand: American Games Factory

Review Sections: Product Overview  Technically Speaking  Educational Value  Entertainment Value  Design  Replayability  Dollar Value    

Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt - Product Overview
Scavenger Hunt's value is more than skin-deep. Besides its charming--even stunning--graphics, this early learning software game boasts more than your average number of activities, and educational games that truly inspire children to think.

Children can choose to play the "Complete Game" or the activities alone. In the adventure format, players uncover the program's eight early learning activities as they collect items on a scavenger hunt. With their list of items to gather handy, children play as either Shimmer, Squirt, Bounce, and Dragon. They hunt for items such as two pieces of bark and one small strawberry through Sunny Patch. They can return to Cozy Hole and Miss Spider at any time. Scavenger hunts are saved so that children can return to their adventure at any time without skipping a beat. A ninth activity, not available in the "Activities Only" format, can only be uncovered once children successfully complete the four scavenger hunts (led by the four bugs).

There are three levels of difficulty to choose from, and the range in challenge is quite wide. For example, in a Memory Math game, on the easiest level, kids find 3 identical numbers. On the hardest level, they must find 2 identical numbers and then the sum of the numbers.

Children practice keyboarding skills in a unique game called "Butterfly Spotting", pictured at right. On the easiest level, they type the uppercase letter carried by a spotlighted butterfly. On the hardest level, lowercase letters are featured, and kids need to first type a letter, then quickly type letters that enter the spotlight in order to score points.

One of the strongest activities, "Music Hall", requires children to listen closely to a musical piece and identify what types of instruments are used. They are introduced to four categories of instruments--bow (example, the cello), plucked (example, the guitar), blown (example, the flute), and percussive (example, the drum). The curtains close, the bug musician conducts, and children guess which types of instruments are playing a particular musical score. Very clever!

Children practice arcade skills using the arrow keys on their keyboard, play a memory game, complete sequences, identify shapes, and more. Another standout activity is called "Ant Logic" and plays much like a logic puzzle. On the easiest level, children need to guess which of 15 ants has a berry by asking questions, such as "Does the ant have dots?" or "Does the ant wear boots?". Based on the narrator's answer, kids cross off the ants that can't possibly be the one they're looking for, and then ask another question until they know the answer (or until they run out of questions).

Parents might want to show their children how to skip instructions and animations (by tapping the spacebar) only after they have played the game through and know the goals of each activity.

This program can be played in English or Spanish. We like that the game isn't dumbed down. Rather, it's gently challenging and doesn't penalize or intimidate children when they've made an incorrect choice.

Technically Speaking
Minimum system requirements are Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, Pentium II 400 MHz or higher, 128 MB RAM, 650 MB hard drive space, and DirectX compatible graphics and sound cards.

Educational Value
A range of early learning skills are exercised in unique ways. Keyboarding, arcade skills, numbers and addition, memory, logical thinking, and more. It's neither too easy nor too challenging for Miss Spider fans.

Entertainment Value
The atmosphere is relaxed, soothing, and encouraging, and the graphics are mesmerizing.

Design
All of the design features we look for are here--children can skip animations and instructions if desired, options to play activities individually or as part of an adventure, and three difficulty levels that are easy to adjust.

Replayability
Strong content and appeal add longevity to the game. Uncovering a bonus activity is only possible if children complete all four scavenger hunts.

Dollar Value
This program carries a suggested retail price of approximately $20 US.  

Score: 9.5 out of 10

Buy: Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt

 
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