When players, aged six to 10, climb up into TheTreehouse by Broderbund, they enter a player-driven,
interactive world of exploration, learning, games, puzzles
and surprises. Like its predecessor, The Playroom, The
Treehouse is a cozy place full of neat stuff where kids can play
on their own or with another. As one of the "Awesome
'Possums" (the male or female on-screen character), players
point-and-click their way through such topics as music, math, language
and science. Rather than the dry, predictable treatment
that was the norm in educational software in years past, i.e. "computer
flash cards," this software package presents its subjects
with subtlety and originality, sparkle and humor.
Inside The Treehouse, players can choose to get involved in a
game, eat a piece of fruit, just look out the window (at the
variety of goings-on there) or climb down the tree and see what's
happening outside.
Chalk it up Learning
In the main room of
the treehouse, there is
a wide assortment of
things to do. Players
can play a game, use
the mouse to "draw" on a chalkboard with colored
chalk, watch as a mother bird feeds a worm to her
nest full of chirping babies, look through a telescope
(at several different views), check for a "this date in
history" fun fact, make the clouds change their
shape, look at the clock and see the "real-life" accurate
time, have a snack or take a nap.
Outside, the player's 'possum can climb down the
rope ladder, peek in at some squirrels storing nuts for
the winter or just explore the back yard.
Games Possums Play
One area that The Treehouse addresses with especial
thoroughness is music. The software accomplishes this
through both its "Musical Keys" and "Musical Maze" games. The
former allows players to play or listen to any of 24 familiar tunes
(everything from nursery rhymes to short pieces of classical
music) on a variety of instruments from strings, woodwinds or
brass to animal sounds or tissue paper and comb. (For example,
"Pop goes the weasel" on the oboe or a Bach minuet on the
electric guitar.) Or kids can make up their own songs and vary
the notes, instrument used, tempo, note duration, sharps and
flats — the works. When composing, players can work by clicking
on the on-screen piano keyboard or directly on a musical
staff. Once a piece has been written, the sheet music can then
be printed for playing on "real" instruments — ideal for anyone
taking music lessons. If a sound card is not used, notes will
sound as tones only, rather than sounding like specific instruments..
The "Musical Maze" game allows players to test their
knowledge of musical notes, instruments and songs. There is a name-that-tune aspect to the game as well as a test of recognition
of note patterns, tone and duration. This kind of practice
and repetition is excellent for reinforcing music concepts.
Go Math Racer, Go
The Road Rally game can be played with either money or
chips. In this Candylandish exercise, players roll the on-screen
dice and use math and counting skills to decide how far to move
their car. For instance, which is more: one dime and one penny
or one nickel and four pennies? Players make their choices and
advance accordingly. They may play against a computer opponent
or another human player. The first player to reach his or
her goal wins the race and takes a prize back to the treehouse.
Lights, Camera, Interaction
In Treehouse Theater, players act as writer and director of a
silly production of their own play. They choose the who, what,
where and when elements necessary to create a story and then,
see it acted out on stage. This game allows players to practice
forming complete sentences that are grammatically correct and
also very funny, such as "The baby juggles at the beach every
day" or "My favorite teacher eats pickles on the moon during an
eclipse." Props can even be added to the scene, according to its
setting. So, at the beach, a star fish, a pail and shovel and a
beach ball are provided. For the setting entitled "The middle of
nowhere," props like a rainbow, a planet and a giant eyeball are
available. The designers have really let their imaginations run
wild here and the results are hilarious. Help! The Back Yard is Full of Invertebrates!
The "Backyard Zoo" games teach players about different
groups of familiar animals and how they are classified according
to their traits. In "Animal Album," players choose animals of differing
descriptions (has a backbone, is cold-blooded, has wings,
has two legs, breathes with lungs, eats plants and animals, etc.)
and places them in an outdoor scene to create a picture. So,
under the heading "has a backbone" are the groups mammals,
birds, fish and reptiles. Then under "mammals," are examples
like cottontail rabbit, dog, human, squirrel and chipmunk (pretty
distinguished company, huh?). Players can then click on the
squirrel and place it in the picture so it is sitting in a tree. (This
reviewer ended up with a garden full of ladybugs and a serious
overpopulation of hummingbirds.)
In "Guess My Animal," players are given clues about a specific
animal's traits and behavior (has four legs, is active during the
day, has no wings) and guess, from a sample of possible
choices, what animal it might be. In this way, players simultaneously
learn about the animal kingdom and practice the use
of deductive reasoning.
A Smart Game for Smart Alecks
If "real live" players are anything like this reviewer, the first
thing they want to do with a game is mess around with it — do
stuff they're not supposed to do — and see if they can get it to
make a mistake or reveal some kind of flaw. The Treehouse is
up to the test. Players can try anything; they can throw apples
out the window and see what happens. (Look down on the
ground and there it is: apple mush! Then, ants come along to eat
the mush.) If they try throwing the teddy bear into the pond outside,
the bear plops into the water. Then, a fish surfaces and
spews it right back on shore with a splash. Can it be possible
that the designers were expecting players to throw the teddy
bear into the fish pond? Apparently so. They seem to have been
ready for anything. Thoroughness like that does not go unappreciated
by this reviewer; this software is well thought-out and
carefully implemented. The Treehouse is an involving, engrossing
piece of work. It is the kind of game kids can lose themselves
in for hours on end. This reviewer predicts that more than
one parental cry of "Come in to dinner!" will receive a reply of
"I'll be there in a minute...." Avoid arguments before they start:
just go into the computer room, pick them up bodily and carry
them into the dining room.
'Possumtainment
The Treehouse can be played with a mouse or a keyboard, but
a mouse is highly recommended. The documentation is clear
and easy to understand. It should be gone over by parents and
kids together at first. Then, once kids get the hang of the game's
interface, they should need little help. No reading skills are necessary
in order to play the game. Frankly, although it is recommended
especially for ages six to 10, younger children who have
been exposed to computer games as well as older players (particularly
those with an interest in music) may be equally interested.
The Treehouse comes with a kids' guide and song book full of
supplementary information and ideas for things to do like
"Science in the backyard" and "Homemade instruments." There
is even a cassette tape of that toe-tapping Treehouse theme for
kids' listening and dancing pleasure. The designers have created
a full package of fun here that should serve as a valuable source
of education and entertainment.
Tag :
1992 games,
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