Rating: (1-5)

Relevance to objectives: 5  The objective of the game is to work quickly and economically.  By doing so, you as the player are more successful.  If you work slowly or waste money and resources, you do poorly
Provides practice of relevant skills: 4.  The player is learning the skills of time management and balancing costs as well as the idea of opportunity cost.  The only problem is, the player most likely doesn’t think about these decisions each time, as (s)he would in real life.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 4.  The graphics are excellent, and the Sim family of games is well known for creating exciting simulation games that no two players will ever play the same.  Once again, the only problem is direction.  No directions are included with the package, and the tutorial only gives you a quick briefing of your task
Likely to be comprehended clearly: : 4.  As stated above, the directions are lacking which hurts the overall game play.  However, there is a tech support number included as well as an email address, so a teacher could call or email to get specific instructions for the students.
Technical quality (durable, attractive): 5.  The game is attractive with high colored graphics and many sounds and pictures.  Also, it is on CD which means that the game will last and is transferable.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather than chance): 4.  The player must make the right decisions for the most part, but some luck is involved, some of which the player cannot control.  Overall though, most of the luck encountered is ‘bad’ luck, such as the natives being unhappy with living conditions and the player must adjust to each of those conditions to win.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic, accurate depiction): 4.  The game is accurate for a player learning economic theory and how it relates to people.  For example, the player has to consider opportunity cost of each decision, the law of supply and demand, etc.  Also, the islands and the scenarios used could most likely need the products that the player must build/provide
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results): ):-  I found none on the web site for this particular game, and none came included in the game box.  However, the other Sim games have been rated very highly from educators, children and adults alike.
Clear directions for play: 1  Directions are not included, as stated above
Effectiveness of debriefing: 1.  The debriefing is weak, because it only gives a general background and some specific instructions.  If the debriefing was better, the game would be easier to play/