Release 1999 Developer The Learning Company Mode Single-player video game | Genre(s) Educational/Adventure Publisher The Learning Company | |
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Platforms Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems Similar The Learning Company games, Educational games | ||
The ClueFinders Reading Adventures: Mystery of the Missing Amulet is a computer game designed for ages 9–12 in The Learning Company's The ClueFinders series, where the ClueFinders embark on an adventure in an alien world to save the planet Millenia from the evil sorceress Malicia. Along the way, the game intends to help the players learn and practice language arts skills, hence the title.
Contents
At one point, it was also included as a bonus disc with the other ClueFinders games (though, in this context, it was called only by its subtitle, The Mystery of the Missing Amulet), in much the manner of The ClueFinders: Mystery Mansion Arcade and The ClueFinders Real World Adventure Kit, two other games which were both included as bonus discs at various points in time.
Plot
An asteroid has crashed in the Sierra Mountains. The ClueFinders approach the asteroid, discovering it is significantly cool despite its recent crash. Joni touches it, and the ClueFinders get beamed across space, arriving on the planet Millenia. The team is separated on two parts of the Millenia. Joni and Owen then meet Malveera, the princess of Millenia who brought them to help save her planet from the evil sorceress Malicia, who has also captured Santiago and Leslie. The only way to stop her and return to Earth is to locate the two halves of the Amulet of Life hidden by the Doldreks and the Sorrens.
Gameplay
The game has ten different activities, purely focused on the subject of Language Arts including Vocabulary, Categorization, Reasoning, Prefixes, Suffixes, Spelling, Antonyms, Synonyms, Homonyms, Sequencing, Definitions, Critical Thinking, Attributes, Analogies, Grammar, Parts of speech, Sentence structure, Comprehension, Context clues and Inference.
Reception
A review at Superkids [1] was mixed. Whilst the "teacher reviewers were especially impressed with the reading comprehension section", they felt that "unfortunately, too many of the [activities] require fast-twitch gaming ability in addition to knowledge of the subject matter". Of the kids appeal, the review stated that "the activities themselves, however, are inconsistent. While some are novel and quite educational...others are tired repeats of games seen many times over in many other programs." It concluded by saying "his likable Clue Finders adventure provides an entertaining way for kids to practice their reading and language skills. Students who need significant help with their reading skills would do better with a more academically oriented title, and those who are not adept gamers may become frustrated with some of the activities." The Educational Value was rated 4/5. The Kid Appeal was rated 4.3. The Ease of Use was rated 4.0.