Topic: I Spy Universe Review

[NWR_MattB]

I Spy a good game.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/23864

I Spy was a series of popular picture puzzle books written in the 1990s, with dozens of books published. I Spy Universe is the third game in the series to be released on Nintendo platforms, bringing the puzzle-within-a-picture concept to Nintendo DS for a second time.

In the I Spy series, players are given a riddle that indicates various items that must be located in a cluster of objects within a picture. I Spy Universe puts you in the position of having to restore a generator by collecting various parts throughout the depths of space. This generator is used to help the re-fire the sun, which is fading away. You are provided with fuel to visit various planets to find objects, but in order to obtain more, you must complete a series of rather simple puzzles such as matching an image with its shadow.

I Spy Universe features twelve different areas to explore, some of which are based on images from the books. This amounts to a small number in total, but there are multiple riddles available for the various areas, each of which has their own objects to find. The top screen of the Nintendo DS displays the riddle that you are asked to solve and the bottom displays the part of the area in view. A quick tap of the A button causes the riddle to disappear and another part of the image to displayed in its place. Navigating areas is done by sliding the stylus in the direction in which you want to view. The game has a hint system to help make things a little easier. Upon using a hint, a few seconds pass before a new one is available. It gives an unlimited amount of hints making this a rather easy to complete game.

Scholastic's I Spy Universe is clearly aimed at young children, hence the reason why the story is fairly simple and easy to follow. The game is incredibly simple and easy to pick-up-and-play as well, and despite being only a couple of hours long, it is fun while it lasts. Adding to the appeal, the game's visuals are incredibly detailed, with plenty of small objects in each picture; though, at times it can be hard to decipher lettering on some objects. In all, the game shows that keeping things simple makes a game fun when it's done properly.

I Spy Universe is available at a budget price, further adding to the list of reasons why this is a great game for kids. The game never overwhelms its players, and while it may be a little easy and short, I Spy Universe is a great piece of software for all demographics of gamers, but especially for young children.

[KDR_11k]

For some reason hidden object games are the new trend in shovelware, you can find them on practically any topic, proudly boasting that they're pretty much the worst aspect of point & click adventures turned into a full game.

[greybrick]

My interest in hidden object "games" begins and ends with Where is Waldo.