Children's Software Review of:
MIA 
The Search for Grandma's Remedy 

Before I get to what they liked/didn’t like about the game, a few words from grandpa are in order.

First, I really do object to a game that requires changing the display setting to 256 colors since this might well create a few problems for the folks that do not know how to restore their current setting. The game will allow for the change to 256 colors but not the change to your original setting. I consider this a major flaw since it can really confuse some people. (If you want to buy the game, then remember this - select START menu, then SETTINGS, then CONTROL PANEL, then DISPLAY. At the DISPLAY, select the drop down window and select the color setting you want).

The game is on two CD-ROM’s and only requires one change of disks. Keep an eye on the kids as they play to be sure that the disk is changed at the right time - not a big problem but one that the younger kids might have a problem.

The girls thought Mia the mouse was quite cute and they enjoyed the interaction of the various parts of the game. The game play was fun and they enjoyed moving the mouse (computer one that is, not Mia) to set the direction of the play. The music was “nice” but not especially interesting to them. They did like the idea that you sort of could tell if you were near a clue by the music.

The activities were difficult because the art work was, at times, not real sharp. However, they did enjoy winning and they liked a couple of them so much that they wanted to replay them rather than continue the game. (Wanting to learn - what a wonderful concept!).

They finally reached the end of the game in about 2 ½ hours and were very disappointed that the ending was so flat. Overall they had fun with it and said it was “cool” and “OK, I guess”. Not the strongest praise, but they did go back and play it a couple of more times so they didn’t reject it.

The plot of the game is that Mia is to help get Grandmother mouse some medicine and has many adventures in trying to get all the ingredients. Mia is in the attic of a large house and must explore all the floors to get “sparklies” to use to pay for the ingredients. She works from the attic to the bottom and the outside garden and pond. The ending has her boarding a friendly bird to take her back to the attic - and the girls really expected to see Mia deliver the medicine and have grandmother up and about. Since that didn’t happen, they were a bit disappointed and felt that the ending was too quick.

The idea of the game is to teach and reinforce literary skills. The girls ran into 9 different word skill games - some requiring spelling, word recognition, hearing a question and reacting to it, building 5 word sentences, rhymes, etc. The games are well thought out and by using the options menu, you have the ability to set the skill level at four different settings to better tailor the game to the child.

The graphics are really quite nice and the game is not too difficult for the kids in the targeted age group. It worked well and the music and graphics were well integrated and felt comfortable to play and react to the problems.

My feel for the game is that it did the job it set out to do in an effective manner. My objections to the technical settings and the kids wish for a “better” ending should not cause you to ignore the game but to be aware of some of the problems as I perceive them.

The game is available on the Internet by going to www.kutoka.com where you can order it for $39.95. You have an option to order other games and programs at reduced prices if you wish. 

All in all, not a bad program for the kids and you may be quite pleased with it.