Your Interactive Pet Dinosaur
Reviewed by Matt Vickers
Published by Viacom New Media

Age Group: Age 4 to 8 Type: More Fun Price: Unknown

PC version requires:
P66 16 MB RAM,2x CD-ROM, Windows 95, SVGA

Mac version requires:
Not available.

Description:

The latest tile from Viacom New Media is another attempt at bringing artificial life to your desktop. 'Your Interactive Pet Dinosaur Desktop Pet' gives the user control over a real-time 3D T-Rex, whereby the aim is to aid its development from a hatchling to a fully blown Jurassic Park-style adult.

Parenthood

At the beginning of the 'game' you are presented with a menu that gives you the option of selecting one of many different eggs, and finally giving it a name. Once this has been done, the computer places the egg in the middle of the dinosaurs main habitat.

The first thing that has to be done is to get the egg to hatch. In order to do this the egg can be gently moved in order to prompt the dinosaur, or if this form of persuasion doesn't work, the egg can be hurled up into the air, cracking open on impact.

Controlling the movement of your pet dinosaur involves pressing the 'F-keys' which will allow your dinosaur to perform certain actions such as jumping or singing. Movement of the dino is pretty much controlled by where you place objects that interest him.

The main aim of the game is to fully develop your hatchling. In order to do this, all aspects of the dinosaur (health, happiness and cleanliness) have to be kept at a certain level. Maintaining these levels will result in reward, neglecting them will result in your dinosaur becoming ill, and maybe even extinct.

In your inventory you have various items at your disposal, which include toys, food and cleaning utensils. Keeping your dinosaur well fed will maintain his health (and therefore his growth), toys will maintain his happiness and cleaning him will obviously maintain his cleanliness. Each of the days in dinosaur world last two hours, one hour of daylight, and one hour of night, so things have to be done quickly to maintain the growth of your dinosaur.

Jurassic Playground

The dinosaurs world comprises of six separate exotic locations, all linked together by a large cave. To transfer the dinosaur across from one location to another, the dinosaur has to enter the main cave where the entrances to the other locations are available. Clicking on one of the entrances allow you to send your dinosaur there.

Inside some of the locations are various activities to keep your dino' amused. For example, in the colour cave are a selection of paints and templates that can be coloured in with your dinosaurs tail, and there is the Tar-pit, where you can make your dinosaur sing different notes to an audience.

Lizard King

The graphics in 'Your Interactive Pet Dinosaur Desktop Pet' are of a high standard throughout, and although the game has a fairly amusing feel to it, the atmospheric backdrops and sound effects suit the game down to a tee. The graphics on the main dinosaur are very impressive indeed, with the high detail almost matching that of the T-Rex featured on the original PSX demonstration disc. Animation is also of a high quality, providing 'life-like' movement.

Extinct?

More of an entertainment title than an edutainmnet title, Your Interactive Pet Dinosaur Desktop Pet will only really appeal to younger children. Even though the game features appealing theme and graphics, I can't see many kids being patient enough with this title, as it doesn't offer enough instantaneous reward.

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