Quizz Show: Alien Escape

Description:

QuizzMan is back with another wacky Quizz Show, this time featuring a cast of aliens trying to leave Planet Zluton before a meteorite obliterates the planet. Alien Escape focuses on science, technology and math. The goal of the game is to compete for sufficient "chtots" to buy the necessary parts to build a rocket and escape before the meteorite hits. One to four players may participate using the keyboard or the two game buzzers included with the game. Companion title Pirate Island tests knowledge of history, grammar and literature, while Monster Mania covers knowledge of people, entertainment and culture.

Features:

• More than 1400 science, technology and math questions from fourth through sixth grade curricula
• Three difficulty levels
• Nine categories of questions
• No graphic violence or harsh language
• Two free game buzzers
• Claymation characters and photographic 3-D background sets
• Question Editor allows users to input questions and categories

Technical Aspects:

Alien Escape is packaged with two free game buzzers that require a joystick port, but the game may also be played from the keyboard using letters A, X, N and P. The title may also be played with some players using buzzers while others play on the keyboard. Additional game buzzers may be acquired from VTechSoft or by purchasing another Quizz Show title.

Questions and responses are all written, but QuizzMan gives instructions verbally, and some are confusing until the game has been played several times. In my opinion, this title would be unsatisfactory for use by hearing impaired users.

Report and Conclusions:

I am very impressed with the Question Editor feature. This allows the input of new questions and categories that can be used in future games. While this does require considerable effort (writing a sufficient number of questions with one correct answer and at least three incorrect responses), it offers a great teaching tool and virtually unlimited replayability.