(Heather asked me to review this… so I’m doing a guest spot here!)
I’m a big geek – I just finished my weekly bout with Guitar Hero just before writing this, and I’m a software developer by trade. So when Heather asked me to review Bob the Builder Can-Do Zoo, I thought it would be a great introduction for Holden into the world of computers – or at least mice.
This was really the first time that I’ve tried any kid-friendly programs on the computer. We tried the Sesame Street website a few times, but Holden quickly lost interest – most of those sites have a little flash window that takes up a tiny portion of the screen. He was as fascinated with the browser’s “back” button as he was with tiny Grover and pals.
So when we launched “Bob” and found it taking up the whole screen with its big block letters and cel-shaded style, I was already psyched if only to be rid of any desktop distractions.
Starting the game, however, was not easy – you’re presented with this complex but colorful menu system in which you have to decide if you’re in going into “Story mode” or not. then pick your character, choose if you want to continue a saved game or resume a new one, and finally pick your difficulty level. It’s about the same amount of complexity as Guitar Hero… but for 3 year olds. The whole time, the various characters talk over each other so there is a lot of confusing instructions before you even get to do anything! I of course navigated this through him but he kept asking “Is this the game? Is this it?”
But once we finally got through the menus, it was a pretty cool game – in “easy” mode the tasks are mostly just about learning to use the mouse, which Holden definitely needed… and I learned why a kid sized mouse is important. He had to work really hard to keep his fingers over the buttons, as his palm barely covered the top of the mouse. Anyhow… each activity was 1-2 minutes long and usually involved putting things where they belong, cleaning up and so forth.
In “medium” mode we had the same activities, but had to match up shapes and colors along the way, without a lot of instruction. I liked that: Holden has known his shapes and colors for a while, but here he had to figure out that the purple wrench went in the purple drawer without it being spelled out for him.
This lead to a lot of trial and error, (which is good) but exposed a real weakness in the interaction – there wasn’t any feedback when he picked, for example, an inactive grey drawer. So when he tried to click there, nothing happened. Is it too much to ask for even a goofy laugh or a bonking noise?
The one serious problem we had was that the game kept quitting every 3-4 minutes, with no warning. Holden would be studiously putting road signs into his truck, and suddenly there was the computer desktop, and the game was gone! We were able to start where we left off but I had to navigate those ridiculous menus first. After the 5th time I got fed up and decided it was time to go outside.
Ultimately, I thought the game was great for a 3 year old – fun, colorful, and even a bit educational. We’ll certainly be playing it again, Holden has already been asking about it.
As an aside, I have to admit that sometimes the whole Bob the Builder thing is a little much – I know Holden loves do “do his work” and build stuff but every once in a while I wonder if Bob is just brainwashing him. 
I guess if I can find another game to teach him to color outside the lines, it will all even out.
This software was sent to Heather via the Parent Bloggers Network and intercepted by her husband. Thanks!
