In Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom, you'll take over a Chinese kingdom and lead it to build the greatest and wealthiest empire on Earth!
REVIEW
Wrong Title ......... As a Native Speaker of Chinese and as a Chinese Myself, I am confident to say
that "中國"(Chinese characters meaning China) means Central Kingdom not "Middle Kingdom"
How do you get your child to study for spelling tests? Make it into a game! With JumpStart Study Helpers, your child simply enters his weekly spelling words into the computer and starts playing. With arcade-style activities, playing the games means your child is practicing the words and improving their test scores!
REVIEW
Not as good as it ought to be Here's another piece of kids' educational software that does not measure up to the marketing blurbs on the box. It contains three spelling-oriented games that give you plenty of practice with hand/eye/mouse coordination, but are questionable in terms of educational value.
In one game, you play a little dog with a basket, trying to catch fish falling from the air. You're only supposed to catch fish containing words that are spelled correctly. To me, it was the most fun game of the bunch. Whether it teaches spelling or not is another question entirely.
In another game, you shoot hermit crabs that are trying to run off with your coins. You can only shoot the crabs carrying the correct letter to fill in the blank of a given word. I dislike the fact that the crabs each have an angry, mean expression after you shoot them, when they are closest to the viewer. Certainly not a happy game! Also, with a fast computer, the crabs emerge so fast that you have to set the game on level one in order to make it feasible. Luckily, game play level is separate from spelling level.
For the third game, you ride a seahorse in a race, tapping the spacebar to have your seahorse reach up to lick a word. This is another iffy game with a fast computer, and the images get blurry rather quickly, which impairs enjoyment.
I was excited about the idea of inputting our own spelling words. However, there is a limit of about 25? custom words. And the voice that reads the custom word list is barely audible. You can input phonetic spelling to get closer to the audio pronunciation, but this is not perfect. Considering that game play depends upon hearing the correct pronunciation, this is a disappointment. So the custom word feature turned out to be not worthwhile for us.
I just started homeschooling a 4th grader, and we've been testing plenty of educational software. I'm sorry to say that I can't recommend this one.
Eragon is an epic fantasy-adventure centering on a young farm boy named Eragon. Based on the best-selling novel and feature film, the boy's destiny is revealed with the help of a dragon. Eragon, now a Dragon Rider, is swept into a world of magic and power, discovering that he alone has the power to save -- or destroy -- an Empire. Features action-filled combat-RPG with touch screen spell casting and unique dual screen attack mode. Gamers can also sharpen their magic and dragon riding skills in unlockable mini-games.
REVIEW
Nice effects but not quite challenging I purchased this game and strategy guide for my husband as a Christmas gift. I purchased the Game Guide for help however now you can only purchase Brady Game Guides.
1st of all the effects and gameworld are very well done, the gameplay however leaves a lot to be desired. In multiplayer mode, 1 of you is Eragon (the lucky one) and the other starts off as his mentor. Half way through the game the mentor dies and you get a new charecter. That is nice but not when the character they give you is no where near as good or advanced as you made the 1st one.
Then other times the second player is no longer a fighter but instead acts as the dragon. Again, I thought this would be cool but the oontrols for her are very difficult and you (the second player) really feel left out.
The game only took about 12 hours on hard to complete. The book was used maybe once before we realized just how useless it is. Single player mode is no better since you still have the other charecters with you but they are slow to help and you have enough to worry about as Eragon.
If you enjoy slashing and killing then you should play it just for the joy of killing Orcs and Archerers. Your main tools are a Sword, a bow and arrows. If you are Eragon, you have limited (very limited) magic which can only be used in pre-determined areas.
Some one please bring back Prima Guides because Brady Game guides cost 25% more and give you 60% less information.
The best. Period. I have held an SCCA National Competitor license. I have raced numerous sport and formula cars. I have fueled Indycars, including the 1999 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. And this is the best racing game I have ever played. It's the best recreation I have ever seen of car dynamics--if you are going into a corner and you come out of the power, the car is going to "walk" without being hooked up at the rear wheels. Tap the brakes in a 'light' corner and the front wheels load and turn. Very realistic. I have never played a game that so faithfully recreates the experience of driving a "real" race car.
And this isnt just a "plug it in and go through all the levels" game...you must improve your skills, and each level IS more difficult--not just a faster car. Each level is a quantum jump in ability, and includes tougher car dynamics and better competition. I waltzed through the GT3 category, and thought, "Well, on to the next level...", only to spend a LOT of timelearning the GTS cars. If you are looking to accurately recreate the racing experience, this is the closest I have seen.
The only down side I have found is that contact doesnt produce damage...you can go through every gravel pit on the track, bang into competitors and fences, and the car is just as it started the race. I'm not crazy about that--I think you should be penalized for contact. But that is really the only thing I have seen so far that is disappointing.
I know it sounds like a mantra--but this is the most realistic racing game I have ever experienced. Buy it. You'll like it.
In Barbie Mermaid Adventure, kids will travel with Barbie and her seahorse friend Samika, for a journey of great fantasy and adventure!
REVIEW
Way Too Short My 5 year old daughter finished the entire game in 42 minutes. The activities in the game are very simple. She still plays it but it doesn't compare to Barbie as Princess and the Pauper, or Barbies Pet Rescue which are much much better, quite a bit longer, and more replayable.
Mermaid adventure's music I thought was quite good and I enjoyed the clown fish jokes but other than that I thought the game was poor at best.
Drive around a huge city. Visit unique locales including hospitals, bars, restaurants, warehouse districts, downtown, desert, freeways, stadium parks, harbor, and red light districts. Select from a large variety of chopper designs. Customize your chopper with thousands of upgrades ranging from tires, rims, seats, handle bars, and gas tanks, to clutch assemblies, transmissions, engines, and killer paint jobs. Around every corner, police lie in wait. A meter measures the player's illegal activities, pull off too many crazy moves, disobey traffic laws or be seen taking out rival gangs, and you can expect the heat to be hot on your tail. Semi-realistic traffic simulation keeps vehicles and pedestrians moving Mini-Map helps give players direction, depicting a city street map and current goals Fight back from your chopper using a large arsenal of weapons 1 Player
Amazon.com Play the sequel to 3-D Ultra Pinball with all-new additions. There are multiple bonuses, hidden levels, moving targets, and lots of surprises--from goblins and spiders to pinball-snatchingghosts. The realistic pinball physics, including a true-to-life incline of the four playing tables, creates the ultimate pinball experience.
REVIEW
Great Pinball !!!! I only have the demo and I love it! I am surprised everytime I play it and it's to bad it has been removed from the market as it is the coolest pinball game I have played. You never really play the same game twice. Although the demo has point or time limits it does play over and over but after so many points cuts you off but still worth a try till you get the real thing which is what I am getting ready to do.
Amazon.com Join the Kelly Club bunch and use your imagination to magically bring their cutest plush pets to life with a pet parade. Kids ages 4 and older help Kelly and pals--Keeya, Chelsie, and Tommy--get their plush pets ready for the pageant. Teach each furry friend new tricks for the show, then groom them for the special parade. Choose parade costumes for Kelly and her friends. Design and decorate parade floats with dancing sparkles, flowers, and fireworks. Then, watch the parade come to life as the crowd cheers for the Kelly Club and their posh pets--Pokey Polar Bear, PJ Pony, Emi Elephant, and Butterscotch the Dog.
REVIEW
easy and fun for 3-4yr olds fun easy game if you can keep it from freezing. I've reinstalled it and done everything I know to do to correct the issue. It's a shame my 4yr old really likes it.
