Create
© 2010 Electronic Arts, Inc.
This inventor's toolkit lets you mix various objects such as basketballs, ropes, ramps and rockets in order to reach a goal, such as to get an ice cream truck through a flaming hoop. Like "The Incredible Machine," each puzzle has multiple solutions, and increases in difficulty as you play. Unfortunately, the tutorial, which can't be skipped, is so complicated that you need a tutorial. This is too bad, because this is one of the rare one player problem-solving experiences that has the potential to transform a video game machine into something educational. We tried the PS3 version, both with and without the Sony move controllers. While using the Move controllers makes things a bit easier to pick up and move, the game controls are still horribly complicated. The goal is to earn spark points by solving mechanical puzzles. Each set of puzzles is found on a themed island that is floating on a cloud. For example, on the transportation island you use a ramp and a rocket to get a moving truck across a bridge. Other islands deal with outer space or a circus. We were only able to finish two of the islands before giving up, out of frustration. The program was made by EA's UK-based Bright Light Studio.
$40, Windows, Mac OSX, PlayStation 3, Move, Wii, Xbox 360
Teaches: creativity
CTR Rating: 58%