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Sue is the name of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus
rex fossil ever found, and in I See Sue ... the T. rex,
children can attempt to win glimpses of this amazing dinosaur roaming
the cliffs and valleys of her natural habitat.
Designed for children 4 to 7 years, I See Sue offers extremely
light, entertainment-laced servings of dinosaur information. Older, more
computer-savvy players may tire of the game easily; however, it is an
excellent starter for users who are new to video games or who want a
game they can play entirely without parental assistance. Simple and
repetitive, the game features two interdependent challenges. Racing
against the computer or a second player, players attempt to assemble a
trio of tiles that will form a complete picture of a dinosaur. Each
successfully compiled dinosaur allows the players to move ahead on the
second part of the game: taking their creature across one of four game
boards, trying to reach the course before their opponents. A few
scientific facts about the assembled dinosaurs are offered, couched in
easy-to-remember rhymes. Players who win the race are rewarded with an
animation of the famous Sue as she prowls the ancient world, as well as
a chance to print a picture of their favorite dinosaur.
I See Sue is not without its drawbacks and glitches. The
reward pictures do not interface well with some printers; in some cases,
they entirely refuse to print. Children may also be disappointed that
the board-game section of play is automated--instead of moving their
dinosaurs themselves, they must be content to watch the computer do it
for them. (There is a tactical advantage, however, in choosing the most
appropriate dinosaur for the various portions of the board game's
prehistoric terrain.) The tile game remains identical through all four
levels of play, presenting few opportunities to apply their hard-earned
strategic skills to new problems.
I See Sue is a great jumping-off point for young children
interested in dinosaurcentric software, and a user-friendly and charming
way to ease kids into using educational software. While this CD-ROM is
not likely to engage players for terribly long, visiting Sue's world
briefly does offer plenty of scope for learning and, more importantly,
for fun. (Ages 4-7) --Alyx Dellamonica
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