Horse Camp
© 2008 Viva Media
The low price and beautiful graphics help you overlook some of the clunkiness in this 3D horse adventure. You start with a Scavenger Hunt, where you ride around in search of needed objects. As you explore, you encounter riding challenges -- such as a maze full of swinging balloons and traffic cones to avoid. Like many riding simulations, you use the arrow keys to move forward, back, left and right, and the SPACEBAR to jump. Limitations to this game include a good deal of reading, an inability to wander off the trail, and the lack of a heads-up display as you move down the maze-like tangle of forest trails. In other words, you need to reference the map on a new screen, where you see a "you are here" dot, as well as your challenge. We were able to get our horse stuck at one point on a rock, which required some tedious backing up. That said, the premise of this game will appeal to any girl interested in horses, and the idea that you can go to a horse sleepover camp is appealing. In terms of design, this is a long stretch from a state-of-the-art console experience; but still is fun. Borrow it.
$10, Windows
Teaches: spatial relations, reading, horses, fine motor control
CTR Rating: 84%