Title: Imperialism
Overall Rating:
B-
Source: Frog City
Playing Time: two hours
Date: 9/14/98
Cost: $ 50.00 avialible for MaCintosh
and Windows (http://www.benchin.com/$index.wcgi/pro/1135972)
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: N/A
Subject Area: Social Studies
Objectives: To build a country from the
colonial period on through the industrial revolution and make the country
a Super Power.
Brief Description: You basically run the
show. Your the dictator calling all the shots with advice from your cabient.
Entry Capabilities Required: Reading,
Understanding of countries resources
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 3 (There
are many objectives that culminate as one major objective)
Provides practice of relevant skills:
5 (This game forces the player to read and think like a leader)
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 2
(I found this game hard to get rolling and very slow and boring)
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 2
(Imperialism
is geared for and older crowd ages 16 and up)
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
2 (This would be a game that would most likily sit on the self)
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): 5 (players choices have alot
to do with the outcome)
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): 4 (This
game gives you an idea of the choices a leader faces)
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test
results):
4 (If you have the patients to make it to the end. Then hopefully you could
make it through the industrial revoloution)
Clear directions for play: 1 (The directions
were tough to follow because of the way they jump around from page to page)
Effectiveness of debriefing:5
This made me realize that this game isn't worth fifty dollars. I wouldn't
pay more than $20.00)
Strong Points:
This game gives you a good idea of what it's like to president. (Minus
Monica and the Oral Office) The choices you make effect every part of your
counrty. If you choose not to make allies with countries. Then they may
not wish to trade with you. It's better to make friends than enemies.
Weak Points: Imperialism
is a diffucult game that tkes a lot of time to understand. It's very time
consuming. I found it boring because there wasn't alot of action.
Reviewer: David Betrus
Position: student
Date: 9/15/98
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
PowerPC 6500/250, 32mb ram.