Get Me Out of Here! Level A1

Reviewed by Anise Hollingshead
Published by Critical Thinking Books & Software

Age Group: Age 8 and Up
Type: Thinking Games
Price: $65

PC version requires:
Windows 3.1 or later, SVGA, 4MB RAM

Mac version requires:
System 7.0 or later, 14" color monitor, 2MB RAM

Description:

Get ready to take a trip with Critical Thinking's Get Me Out of Here!, but don't forget your driving directions, 'cause you're going to need them!

Get Me Out of Here! Level A1 is a great exercise in thinking and planning ahead, a skill that everyone needs. Children are given an assignment that entails driving to certain locations, picking up items, delivering items and sundry other tasks, all in a certain amount of time. Other details include road hazards, weather reports, one-way street locations, plus certain streets that need to be traversed, which will be indicated by clues.

After reviewing the assignment, kids will need to first mark hazards and one-way streets on their map, then start writing directions, using a pull-down menu for the commands. A test-drive can be run at any point during the game to see if the directions work. After a successful "run", kids can play a reward game, but watch out-- this Centipede wannabe requires fast reflexes!

Features:

  • 24 assignments
  • 3 locations
  • Colorful map
  • Directional "clues"
  • Planning ahead
  • Reward arcade game

Technical Aspects:

Installation was a snap, with no run-time problems. However, the game's interface is somewhat different than the picture on the insert and also the picture on the catalog. The version I reviewed had the assignments in a different window, which made it necessary to toggle back and forth between the assignment and the game window. I eventually shrank the assignment window very small, so I could see the game and the instructions at the same time. The pictures in the catalog and the insert show an abbreviated list of instructions on the same screen as the map, which would have made it easier. Another difference seems to be the map itself, which is slightly different in my version from the insert and catalog pictures.

Report and Conclusions:

This is an excellent method to practice planning, thinking ahead and learning map directions in a fun, challenging format. Though it doesn't offer some of the gimmicks that many programs offer to hide the fact that they're educational programs, the gameplay is strong enough to stand by itself and will keep kids' interest as they try to find the best path. The clues that point to certain streets that need to be included in the directions are hard, so some help may be required. For instance, the first assignment I played involved driving down a street that described the name of the bay, which was Nautilus Bay. Well, first I chose Nautical Ave, which was wrong, then Shell Dr, which was also wrong! Upon cheating and using a hint, I found out the answer was Chamber St! Now, why didn't I think of that? Not many 4th graders would get this clue, I believe.

Get Me Out of Here! Level A1 is best in a school/homeschool environment, and with some adult help in learning the interface, will show kids that planning ahead CAN be rewarding!

You can download a Mac demo.
You can download a PC demo.