Math Rescue
| Math Rescue | |
|---|---|
 Episode 1 Gameplay | |
| Developer(s) | Redwood Games |
| Publisher(s) | Apogee Software |
| Platform(s) | DOS |
| Release date(s) | October 1992 |
| Genre(s) | platform game, educational |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Math Rescue is a 1992 educational platform game created by Karen Crowther of Redwood Games and published by Apogee Software. It's early pre-release title was "Number Rescue".[1] Released in October, 1992, for the DOS platform, it is a loose successor to the earlier game Word Rescue, whose game engine was used to power the new game with minor changes. Math Rescue was initially released as shareware but later achieved a retail release.[2] It was followed by Math Rescue Plus.
The registered version of Math Rescue remains available for purchase.[3]
Gameplay
As the title suggests, Math Rescue revolves around solving math problems. Boxes float in the air. Touching a box transports the player inside it, where they solve a math problem to get points.
Math Rescue includes three episodes, called Visit Volcanoes and Ice Caves, Follow the Gruzzles into Space, and See Candy Land, respectively. Only the first episode is distributed as shareware, while the others are available commercially. Each episode contains 15 levels.
Plot
The backstory of the game consists of the theft of the world's numbers by the Gruzzles, which causes problems, until the player finally spots a Gruzzle removing numbers from the front of a house. Benny the Butterfly comes to the player's aid and the player begins a quest to stop the Gruzzles and retrieve the stolen numbers. It turns out that an alien race called the Glixerians from the planet Glixer II have sent their pets, the Gruzzles to steal Earth's numbers so that the humans will become the new Glixerians' pets. It is revealed that Benny was once a Gruzzle who took refuge on Earth. Benny recognises a Gruzzle name Zorja as his cousin and convinces her that the Gruzzles can be free on Earth away from the Glixerians. The Gruzzles return the stolen numbers and provide gardeners with built-in slug control, while the Glixerians hatch some other plot against Earth.
Reception
Computer Gaming World called Math Rescue and Word Rescue "excellent choices for younger children ... though us older 'kids' will still find them entertaining. They are difficult to keep playing".[4] The game was also given the award as "Best Education Software" in 1993.[5]
References
- ↑ "Electronic Games, Volume 1" (2). November 1992: 46. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ↑ Game Developer. Miller Freeman. 1994. p. 53.
- ↑ Math Rescue page at Classic DOS Games
- ↑ Miller, Chuck (July 1993). "Edutainment 101". Computer Gaming World. p. 116. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ Apogee (February 22, 1997). "Apogee FAQ - Awards". RinkWorks. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
External links
- Redwood Games
- Official webpage at 3D Realms
- Math Rescue Manual
- Math Rescue at MobyGames