Evolver

$30, Windows, Mac OSX

Teaches: math, algebra, cooperative learning

CTR Rating: 78%

CTR Review

Seeing an ESRB rating on a math game is pretty rare, but this title earns the honor, with plenty of shooting mixed in with jobs like finding prime numbers. We played through two levels of the game and found it to be fun, although the math was at times secondary to the blasting. After you sign in, your job is to drive around a 3D island full of space-age enemies, such as crabs that will shoot at you, and laser gates that can only be opened with the right code. Evolver games for Algebra and Pre-Algebra are multiplayer social games, made by the same company that makes DimensionM and Dimenxian Algebra. The company lists author James Paul Gee on its board of advisors. There are two versions: Evolver Singleplayer for Pre-Algebra and Evolver Multiplayer for Pre-Algebra and Algebra. In the multiplayer version, students face mathematical obstacles, develop team-based strategies, and navigate through a series of mazes to score the most points. Concepts include proportions, number lines, adding and subtracting integers, prime numbers, order of operations, evaluating expressions, employing function tables, and solving equations. It is not clear how much children actually learn from doing this game. It is designed to be a supplemental curriculum solution to classroom textbooks. Games are available for purchase in five versions: single user, class license lab pack, site license and district license.