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Review of
Math Quest with Aladdin
Publisher: Disney Interactive
Year: 1997
Age Range: Not given; most on-line reviews state 6-9 (or grades 1-3)
Glass Wall's Suggested Age Range: 4-9
Platform Information: Mac or PC
Reviewer: Andee Rubin
Is the Game Mathematical?
The emphasis in Math Quest is on relatively elementary addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, geometry, problem-solving, logical reasoning and working with data, and number patterns. The activities were designed by Marilyn Burns, an experienced and talented math curriculum developer, and her influence shows. She writes to parents: "Your child will experience mathematical problem solving in engaging contexts. In doing so, they will be motivated to stick with math problems that pose challenges and see mathematics as an enjoyable and absorbing pursuit." In keeping with this philosophy, the calculation activities go beyond drill and practice to encompass flexible work with number relationships, and the activities entail thinking and problem-solving more than repetitive recitation of facts or definitions.
A typical activity involves splitting a set of number cards into groups that total to the same number, a problem that entails mental computation, the ability to coordinate several number relationships at once, and some educated trial and error. Several geometry activities involve placement of pattern blocks, either to achieve symmetrical patterns or in the context of a game where each player tries to place the last block in a design. Some of the activities are repetitive, some do not stray far from drill, and several involve tedious interaction with the interface (e.g. moving bugs 2 at a time into a jar of 16), but in general, the activities are interesting and challenging, and several of them might even intrigue adults.
The player of this game has the task of stopping Bizarrah, the evil genie, who has imprisoned Jasmine, Abu and Aladdin (all characters from the Disney movie) and hidden pieces of her magic lamp. Fulfilling this task requires solving a variety of math problems in four different Realms-- Dungeon, Agrabah (market), Carnival and Pyramid-- to free everyone and restore the magic lamp to its original state. Completing these tasks successfully allows the player to enter the Treasure Room, where surprises await. Along the way, the player is "entertained" by dialogue, scenery and sound effects reminiscent of the movie.
Unfortunately, the player has to go through a lot of story to get to the math; the movie tends to outweigh the content and there are often long segments of action and conversation between puzzles. This competition for the child's attention may play out differently for different children, depending on their attachment to the story and/or interest in the math. The constant sounds of the market or dungeon can be distracting, especially to some children. This is unfortunate since, as we note below, the math activities in Math Quest are strong, sound and imaginative.
Is the Game Equitable?
The story, while charming, has some glaring gender stereotypes. All the main characters are male with the exception of Jasmine, who has little part in the story other than to be rescued. The antagonist is Bizarrah, an "evil [female] genie who has escaped from her lamp." The "know-it-all" characters -- Genie and Iago -- are male.
On the other hand, the general style of the activities allows players at different levels to participate. There are three levels of difficulty for each activity, which are under the player's control. None of the activities involves hand-eye coordination or racing against the clock. There is no violence and no activities that incorporate stereotypically "male" themes. There is a selection of mathematical topics, encompassing both numerical and visual approaches. In the Carnival Realm there is a selection of several games from which the player can choose and no particular one is mandatory. The easy levels of the activities are accessible to young children and there are some helpful instructions and hints. Instructions are spoken and can be repeated.
Is the Game a Good Game?
The game is a cross between an adventure game (in which the player moves around in a space, searching for and acquiring objects to use later) and a web-type game (in which the player can choose the order in which to do the activities, which are usually unrelated or not dependent on one another.) There is an overall goal structure: the player has to free all the characters, earn tickets in the carnival to gain access to the pyramid and finally to get to the Treasure Room. While this structure is clear in retrospect, the beginning of the game can be quite confusing, as there is no map of the dungeon or the market and it is possible to get lost wandering among the various shops. There are no penalties for losing and/or failing at a particular activity -- the player just needs to try again. On the other hand, there is little incentive within the game to play at more difficult levels.
There is an additional area to the game: the Genie's Rec Room, where the player can replay several of the games in order to gain points which eventually result in getting a certificate for each activity -- and, the ultimate "prize" -- a special certificate when all the activity certificates have been earned. This possibility may serve as additional motivation to master all of the activities.
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