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This CD-ROM based on the popular Spy Kids movies is packed with puzzles, word searches, number games and many other brain teasers. The CD is easy to install. Just pop it in your CD-ROM and follow the instructions. You will first reach a log in screen. Audio instructions guide you through the process of entering your name, picking a skill level from three options and clicking start to begin the mission.

When the mission begins, however, the instructions are lacking. A scene begins to play, you watch it on the screen like a movie, when the scene is over, you must click on an arrow in the lower right of the screen to keep the story moving. Unfortunatley, there is no audio telling you to do this, you must figure it out on your own.

You must also find (on your own) the tool bar that has the quit option, the option that lists all the activities, biographies on the characters and the option to return to the log in screen. This tool bar pulls out of the right hand side of the screen, but the instructions never tell you this. As you move throughtout the story you will come to different activities. Some activities require a code to move on. The codes are found in the two official spy code books that are included with the set. Under the mission number in the spybook there is a puzzle, word search or game, math problem or other brain teaser. The answer to the problem in the book is the code you enter on the screen. Other activities take the form of games on the screen. You guide the spy kids through activities such as building bridges, escaping the mole men and directing cable cars.

The first time the game is played, it must be played all the way through. The game will not allow you to do the activies out of order until you have beat them at least one time. After you have beaten an activity you can go back and play again if you like. There are 17 activities included, but with the story this game takes quite a while to get through. The game will save your place however, if you leave and enter back as the same user, and will return you to the place where you left off.

The graphics on this game are not up to the level of others on the market. The CD is rated E for everyone and is aimed at 7 to 10 year olds. However, the activites that must be completed to move through the story are very difficult. I feel this game is definetley targeted for the older end of the age range. My seven year old could certainly not play this game on her own, and even I had trouble with a lot of the puzzles.

Star Rating

2

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Pros

This game is full of challenging activities. If you have a child who enjoys critical thinking, this CD is for you.

Cons

This game is very difficult. The activities are too much like school work, and not enough like a fun challenge. The story is long and tedious, and you must finish it completely before you can skip around the various aspects of the game. This game lacks easy to understand instructions in areas where they are needed.

Platform

Windows 98

Features

Join the Spy Kids for an exciting learning adventure 17 exciting and educational activities; 3 levels of interactive play 2 32-page puzzle books integrate with the CD-ROM game. Includes The Underground Affair and The Man in the Moon. For kids ages 8 and older.

Technical Details

System Requirements:

Minimum PC:

Pentium II 300MHz or equivalent Windows 98/2000/ME/XP 150MB free hard drive space 64 MB RAM Video Card, 16-bit DirectX compatible, 4MB memory Windows-compatible sound card 8-speed CD-ROM drive

MAC: 300MHz G3 processor Operating System 8.6-10.3 Panther 32MB free RAM 8-speed CD-ROM drive 16-bit color video card 800X600 16-bit display.