Thomas & Friends: Thomas Saves the Day | Thomas Saves the Day ~ You Decide...

Thomas & Friends: Thomas Saves the Day | Thomas Wastes The Day

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Thomas & Friends: ...

	Thomas & Friends: Thomas Saves the Day Windows \| Atari, 2003 average customer review:based on 9 reviews view larger image
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James has derailed and it's up to Thomas and all of his friends to help him get back on track. Includes eight engaging activities, 3D graphics, eight jigsaw puzzles. Help Thomas find a lost shipment of supplies for the chocolate factory! There's a job for everybody to do in this story that proves how useful teamwork can be.

Thomas Saves the Day ~ You Decide...

When in Story Mode the game is seriously lacking directions, and prompts. For instance, after watching the video describe the big storm in the introduction, the screen jumps to Gordon's Hill. There's a sign that says Knapford, and another sign with a picture of a shed. There's no verbal prompts, or instruction, only a butterfly flitting in the air. After a minute, the narrator says, "Let's check Wellsworth Station for something to heat up my steam." There's no sign for Wellsworth Station, so you click on the sign that says Knapford. Thomas says, "I'm still feeling a bit cold," but the train doesn't move. Then, you click on the other sign. It says, Jeb Coal's Workshed, and when you get to the Workshed, Thomas indicates that it's empty, and that perhaps we should come back later. Then, you notice a sign that says Wellsworth. You can either go back to Gordon's Hill and watch the butterfly, or click on the sign that says Wellsworth. Obviously, you click on the sign, and once you arrive at the station, there's a bucket of coal waiting. Click on the coal, and Thomas thanks you. Then, you're transferred back to the contents page. Sir Topham Hatt offers an "attaboy," and instructs you to click on the next chapter to continue the adventure.

You could literally go back and forth from Gordon's Hill, to the Workshed, and back to Wellsworth Station without really knowing what you're supposed to do. There is no map to direct you, or verbal prompts. The video mentions that Thomas is cold, and needs to warm his steambox, but it doesn't specifically tell you to find a bucket of coal. The entire game plays in this manner, in Story Mode anyway. It's like a wild goose chase with a lot of guessing about where you're supposed to go, and what you're supposed to do. The cursor highlights the signs, and announces what the signs say, but the Story Mode frustrates little one's, because the objectives aren't clear.

Thankfully, the instructions are thorough in Activities Mode. The narration is encouraging, and offers assistance when in trouble. When changing the difficulty setting, or when leaving the game, the narrator always prompt with, "Are you sure you want to leave the game?" This question comes with a thumbs up for yes, and a thumbs down for no. Kids understand this, so I like this aspect of play. When I first played Thomas Saves the Day, I was confused. Now, I'm not into computer games, so that's not saying a lot; however, in my view a preschool game should be crystal clear. This computer game is rated EC (Early Childhood), and is intended for the very young, 3 to 5-years. Most 3-year old children are not reading yet, so they need simple verbal prompts to assist them. Despite the aggravation with the Story Mode, William enjoyed the Activities Mode. Some of the games are more challenging than others, but for a 2½-year old it was enough to keep him busy for 30-minutes or more. As he became more confident, he attempted the chapters. Now that he's 4½, he flies through the program.

I'm torn as to how to rate this game. The graphics and sounds are exceptional = 5. The narrative instruction is great in Activities Mode = 5, but ridiculously weak in Story Mode = 1. The game entertains my son = 3, but lacks educational value = 3. I'd like to give Thomas Saves the Day an above average rating, because once my son got the hang of the game, he was quite amused by it, but the lack of direction in an early childhood game bothers me. Had Atari designed the game with two levels of play in Story Mode, one with instruction, and one without, I probably would have rated this game excellent. Bottom line, an experience preschooler will probably like the challenge of the Story Mode, a beginner will be seriously frustrated.

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Thomas Wastes The Day

Hang your head in shame Atari, this game is terrible. Did they do any testing at all with the intended age group? My five year old is not interested in this game at all -- there's nothing compelling about it. My three year old liked the "chocolate factory" section for about 10 minutes, then never looked for this game again. If you're looking for Thomas, go for the "Festival Adventure" CD, that's definitely the best of the lot, with great graphics. Don't waste your time or money with this one.

reviews: page 1, 2

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