Crazy Machines: The Wacky Contraptions Game
© 2005 Viva Media
Nearly identical to The Incredible Machine (1995, Sierra Online), this is a virtual invention lab with 120 puzzle challenges. Each puzzle starts with a challenge, such as to get a ball into a basket by dragging and dropping ramps in place. Harder challenges include ramps, magnets, and falling boxes. There are 70 parts, which can be freely dragged and dropped on the screen. Ratings were lowered by a poorly designed "HELP" system and confusing interface. For example, it is hard to move quickly between puzzles, and the switch for starting each puzzle is not well marked. Still, the puzzles are a good exercise in problem solving. This game looks very similar to The Incredible Machine, right down to the flying blimp on the main menu. The music and narration style is also similar. We would have liked to see an acknowledgment of the original creator (Jeff Tunnel and Sierra Online). Designed for Viva Media by Fakt-software and Pepper Games. See also Crazy Machines 1.5.
$19.99, Win 98, Win XP, Mac OSX
Teaches: science, inventing, creative/logical thinking, problem solving, physics
CTR Rating: 80%