Search for the Black Rhino: Internet Coach
Reviewed by Anise Hollingshead
Published by Apte

Age Group: Age 8 and Up, Adults Type: Puzzles/Memory Price: $38.95

Requires: 486, 16MB RAM, 4x CD-ROM, 256 VGA

Description:

If you are looking for a fun way to introduce your child to the search capabilities of the Internet, then Search for the Black Rhino may be exactly what you need. Apte, producers of Internet Coach, a series of programs for kids and adults that teaches the rules of the road on the Internet, has an unusual method of teaching the novice about the Internet. They have devised an adventure game in the style of Myst, where the player must use search tools on the web to collect information to help search for a rare Black Rhino.

This is neat! The game has a simulated web browser that allows the player to search for keywords, bookmark pages, and follow the links to find the information needed - offline! The graphics are very Myst-like, but I caught a distinct flavor of Zork, too. Everywhere the player goes, there's a written description under the picture. For example, near the beginning of the game, you are standing in front of a shack, and the text under the picture reads: "You are standing in front of a shack. The door is locked." In fact, I was so struck with this impression that I composed a song (to be sung to the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey)"

I'm trackin' this Rhino, He's so hard to find.
Now lost in Zork country, It's makin' me whine!

I must find him soon, because I'm afeered

a grue's gonna eat me, 'fore I catch that steer!

The game is so immersive, the kids will not realize they are learning anything! When you come to a spot that demands a decision based on your knowledge, you are given several choices to pick from for the answer. If you need information about the question, then you can go to the search engines (there are 2) to look up sites to help. You are given a list of links to choose from, and you can then return to the game to answer the question and continue with the game. The questions are very well integrated with the game, as in when you come across a lion in your path, you find out the exact frequency of sound that will repel her, then return to the game and choose the correct answer to make her leave.

Features:

• Simulated web browser
• Science and zoological facts
• Continuing adventure online after game is over!

Technical Aspects:

There was no installation, after the CD is placed in the Drive, the window pops up and play commences! The graphics were very well done and realistic. For those of us who are directionally challenged, though, the cursors are difficult sometimes, and you may find yourselves going around in circles! A couple of times, I had to refer to a cheat sheet, only to find it was simply that I hadn't gone into a particular area, but just kept walking everywhere else.

Report and Conclusions:

My 6th grader enjoyed this game. She already knew how to search for things on the Internet, but just enjoyed the adventure! She really likes adventure games, and likes to answer questions, also. However, she finished it in 3 days! There is an option to continue your adventure online, though, and she is planning to do that. I took a brief look at the online adventure and it seems very much like the game, but a word of caution for those out there with slow hookups to the Internet: the graphics take a while to load, and may take away some of the fun of play. There is also a rhinofun place for those who finish the game, but the only thing for the kids to do is a crossword puzzle. There are many links about rhinos and other scientific subjects that will be fun to visit, and there is also an additional area for educators. This game will be useful in schools, and the age group is pretty much on target (9-adult), it will be good fun for 4th and 5th graders!

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