MLB07 The Show

MLB 07 The Show

The Show is a action packed sports simulation game.  You can play one of the various modes, quick game mode, manager mode, rivalry mode, online,  or play a season.  I definitely did not opt to play online, so I play quick game mode and strike every time.

 When I began to play the game, I underestimated how quickly I could learn to play the game, but to no avail, I flunked.  I chose the White Sox as my team and i am the pitcher.  I did not figure out how to pitch, successfully.  It did not take long for my team to strike out and become the outfielder.  I read in the Game Spot review, "that a pitcher can improve his stamina, ability with specific pitch types."    When I pitched I often hit the batter and they end up walking the base.   This continued for several attempts to pitch, however I probably would have enjoyed the game if I understood the logistics of baseball and was familiar with the gameplay.

Visuals- The graphics are just as clear on the PSP, as they are a some of the larger gaming systems like PS2 or PS3.

Audio - The sound on the PSP is really clear and precise, you are able to understand the commentators as they jeer and even when they make cracks about your pitching style.

Game Modes - There various modes to choose from, such as: quick game(mode I chose), Manager mode ( you call the shots), rivalry ( play a friend and track your stats), franchise, and play a season(to gain a contract).

Game Play - I was stumped and it went beyond my expertise.  Although, I am married to a sports fan
I failed to acquire the love for sports.

Simulation-  It is a simulation game and personally I like that type of game, but I could not get into it because I did not understand the totality of the game.

Ranking-  I give this game a 8, because of the graphics, audio, and the many choices you have.  I did not rank this game based on my game play, but the whole overview of the game.

Final thoughts -  I believe I can grow to appreciate this game, if I learn how to play it and understand the rules of base ball.  I like simulations games.

Ratchet and Clank: Size Mattters

Ratchet and Clank:  Size Matters

I have been playing Ratchet and Clank for a psp, so far I liked the game.  It begins were they(Ratchet and Clank) are at the beach on vacation, getting  ready to relax, when this little girl comes and lure Ratchet into showing off his warlike abilities.  While Clank is is nonchalant robot sidekick, who sits on his back in action mode.  The little girl gets kidnapped, which they set out on this quest to rescue her, but I haven't made it to that level.  Still learning how to play and use the different weapons.   The hardest move to me is trying to do a long jump, you really have to concentrate and focus on the game.  It requires you to hold down the (L +R, X) while moving forward. I read in different reviews how Clank can transform into an enormous war machine that launches into space, haven't made it there yet.  Ratchet can purchase different ammo, but he has to collect a lot of nuts and bolts from foes he have killed on his quest.  This game will keep you engaged at all times,  I guess it gets boring after you have beat it, but not while you are learning to play it.  It also reminds of Sonic the Hedgehog, loved this game as a child, but Ratchet offer so much more in diversity..

Learning - You need good hand and eye coordination skills if you are playing the psp, because doing the long jump requires those skills.

Visuals-  The graphics are very good, just by me playing it on a smaller gaming system, picture quality is good.

Controls- It took me playing it over and over ( that failure motivation) until I could learn the interface.

Audio-  It sounds good a bit repetitive, though.

Simulation--  When you are trying to aim and shoot you can press select to performed the action in first person mode.

Overall gameplay- I enjoy playing, even when i am loosing.

SCORE - I will give it a 10, simple because i am not a gamer but I like the challenge in it.

Ratchet and Clank doing the usual, as a team.

This is the little girl, who is kidnapped and now Ratchet and Clank
are on a quest to rescue her.

MathBlaster

Math Blaster is an educational game targeting 5-6^th graders.  It is designed to inspire and encourage learning through game play.  We know sometimes children may struggle in the main subjects such as math and reading, but I came across this online math game, it helps enhance mathematical skills.  I did have some trouble install in at first, but I finally succeeded.

When you first aboard the spacecraft, you have to create and personalize your avatar.  You choose the gender, skin tone, hair color, eyes, and you can even make it look like an alien.  You do choose their name, and they have silly names.   After you have completed your personal avatar, you can go to the Larvae room and a pet larva will choose you and he becomes you pet or sidekick throughout space.  He also becomes your responsibility. You must take care of your larvae, so he will grow into a mutt and you can enter him into different competitions.   He can also build your points and merits.  This game reminds me of the Sims.

The objective is for your kids to tackle the math training activities, and they will earn merits and achievements. When they earn merits, the kids will climb the ranks in the Intergalactic Space Patrol (ISP), and their Blaster’s uniform will be upgraded! While participating in ISP training activities, the kids will learn to protect the space station and far-away galaxies, and they will also build math skills.

Final Thoughts

I really found this game to be educational, because of the different math quizzes that are given to help reinforce what the child already know.  I rate it as an eight, because of the overall concept of the game, to help children in their math skills.

Learning-   It keeps learning interesting and fun for the child.

Visuals-  I liked the graphics, they are very bright, has that outer space look.  It keeps your attention, not boring, always a change of scenery.

Controls – You have to use your arrow keys along with a few alpha keys.  They do give you a little cheat sheet to show you what keys to use.

Simulations – You create and personalize your avatar.

Strategy-  Building math skills. You must be familiar with multiplication.

Audio –You have that outerspace music along with a narrator telling you what to do next.

Score-  You build your score through completing your math activities/quizzes, entering your mutt in battle challenges.

Mathblaster

Mathblaster is a mathematical game targeting 6th graders.  In this game you able to select the MUTT (an alien like creature)you want to be. After searching for more in depth games, I came across this one.  I registered myself and daughter, who is sixth grader and  had issues installing it.

I really want to play it and see if it could be a good resource my daughter could use in her math studies.

From the looks of the cover it could be fun and educational.

Woofster's Puppy DayCare

Game Play


The objective of this game is to get kids to associate words from the dictionary to the given pictures.  The child is learning to take care of the puppy through action word association.  To begin with the child is given one puppy to take care of, he or she must place the proper action word over the correct picture appearing over the puppy.  They are given three action words, feed, bath and brush.  One of those pictures will appear over the puppy's head and the child must select the correct word and click and drag it over the puppy's head.  After the child has properly matched each word with the picture the puppy grows to the next size and another puppy is placed in the fenced area and another word is added.  Then the player is back repeating those actions until they max out at three puppies and five action words from the dictionary.  This is the total game play.  When the player has successfully cared for the puppies the are given a Puppy Care Giver badge which they can print out.  pbskid.org/superwhy/#game/puppydaycare

First Thought

While playing this game, I understood the concept of the game but over a time period it became boring, because it was very repetitive and each round had no progressional challenge for the player.  I even let my six year old, play the game.  This was his reply, "Mama, you got to be kidden me, this is boring, and I already know this stuff."  Moving on.  Understand this, this is the comedian of the family.

Final Review

I give this game a 6, although the concept is good, there is no challenge for the growing mind.  It lacks the ability to stimulate a child's mind to progress further.

Visuals:  The graphics are pretty much primary.  It is competing against more dynamic graphics, today.

Learning:  The learning curve is very limited, seeing there are more words in the dictionary.

Controls: The user interface is self-explanatory, Just click on it and drag it to the desired location.

Score:  You will receive a badge at the end of a successful round of play

Audio:  Nothing catchy, repetitive sound.

Overall Game Play:  It was boring to me and my six year old.  There was no depth.