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Matchbox Adventures in Time
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Graphics & Sound:
Matchbox: Adventures in Time, being a kid's educational simulation game, offers highly detailed environments. One good thing is that they are not too detailed, so you don't need a monster computer to run this game. The scenery includes locations from all over the world. The soundtrack is a combination of large tracter sounds and environmental sounds from the time period which you are in.
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Gameplay:
Put on your hard hats boys, we have some work to do. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to travel to different time periods that include Egypt, China, Rome, Camelot, and even the moon of the future, and assist in various building projects. You will dig, move, pave, and more using various CAT machines. In some ancient lands, you might even have to use ancient machines to complete the assigned tasks. After your tasks are complete in each area, you might look around carefully for secret areas. There are also question marks in each time period that will reveal historical information about that time period. This really gives Adventures in Time a plus because while your child is having fun, there are also opportunities for them to learn at the same time. Once you have completed all of your tasks in the assigned areas, there are rewards to enjoy, which in themselves are fun.
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Difficulty:
Adventures in Time has Easy and Normal difficulty settings. In Easy mode, the computer will assist you in each of your tasks step by step. This makes the game accessible for the younger players; the game is designed for players ages 5 and up. In Normal mode, you will have more control of your machine and you will need to perform the tasks on your own without as much computer assistance.
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Game Mechanics:
The easiest way to control the CAT machines is by using your mouse. You will also be able to use the arrow keys on your keyboard. You are able to use your joysticks, but make sure that you calibrate it before you begin playing. There are force feedback settings as well, so you are able to feel the rumble of these big machines.Matchbox: Adventures in Time is a nifty game where kids can dig around in the dirt with their favorite CAT machinery, all the while learning some history. Nice job, Mattel. And hey, a free Matchbox toy comes with it and you just can't beat free.
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-Wickserv, GameVortex Communications AKA Eric Wickwire |
Minimum System Requirements:
Win95/98, P166+, 32 MB RAM, 50 MB of available hard disk space, 4x CD-ROM, DirectX 7 or higher, 16-bit Soundcard (Sound Blaster Compatible), 640 X480 monitor with 256 colors, 1MB SVGA video card, Standard Mouse/keyboard, Inkjet/laser printer to print 3D models (optional), Joystick (optional) |
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Test System:
GX-450xl running Windows 98, 256 RAM, Creative Sound Blaster 64CPCI with Boston Acoustic Digital Media Theatre, STB Velocity 4400 with RIVA TNT chip, DirectX 7, 32 Mb RAM, 6X24 DVD-ROM. |
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