Review of Max and the Magician by Tivola

WIN: 486 PC, 8 MB RAM, SVGA-graphics card, soundcard, double-speed CD-ROM drive, WIN 3.x/WIN 95, 98, ME/WIN NT 4.0

MAC: 9 MB RAM, System 7.1, double-speed CD-ROM drive

Here is another delightful Max adventure from Tivola. This one is just right for children ages 3-7 who are too young to get in on the Harry Potter craze, but still want a taste of magic and broom flying.

The adventure begins when Uncle Pong sends Max to deliver the Flashlight Magic Broom to Mervin the Magician. But there's a problem. The evil witch Hagabelle has turned Mervin into a ...toilet brush! Egads! This can't go on! Max must find the correct formula to undo the spell.

The formula is in seven pieces hidden about Mervin's castle. As kids click and explore, they move from room to room, uncover fun side games, and eventually come across all the pieces of the formula. For those who can't finish the game in one sitting, it is very easy to leave and come back to where they left off. I also liked that no reading was required in this game, although early reading skills are reinforced by the follow along text. Also kids don't need to be able to type their names to sign in, they simply have to remember which hat they clicked on. Children move at their own pace, clicking on thumbs up or thumbs down to decide whether or not to move through a room. Most of the activities have variable difficulty levels.

Some of the side games include "The Spell Machine" and "Catch That Rabbit." A favorite at our house is the chest full of brooms in the bedroom. Children may take a spin on the Snail Broom, the Rain Broom, or the Texas Broom (guaranteed to be handcrafted by real cowboys).

Once the seven pieces are found they must be put together like a puzzle. When that is complete children may play the Broom-Flying game. Playing this game will take children to Hagabelle's lair. She is about to cast another nasty spell when Max stops her. Hagabelle's cursing days are ended, and every spell she casts does nothing except produce another slice of delicious chocolate cake. This is a wonderful development, because Uncle Pong is quite fond of cake.

My two boys, ages 3 and 6, love to play this game together. They squeal every time they find a piece of the formula. The pieces aren't always in the same spot. The funny clickables and animation keep them giggling. They find Max, the boy-like little dog from New Houndland quite appealing.

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