Rascal in Numberland
Release type: Shareware
Release date: October 4, 1994
Levels: 2
Author: Sherwood Forest Software
Registration bonus: Complete game
Registration price: $15
Related games: Rascal's Alphamaze
Not to be mistaken for Jon Bolden's Rascal.
Although it is clear that Rob Sherwood was onto something with the Rascal series, in its available form Numberland is less of a revelation than its companion piece, Rascal's Alphamaze. Whereas Alphamaze is a clear, direct piece of design that unambiguously teaches the player the sequence of the alphabet while directing the player from point A to point B (as it were), Numberland reverts to the hands-off exploration of Shootout at Dodge and Shoplifter 2.
In Numberland, the player is left free to meander through a block of shops and emporiums, each of which presumably has its own lesson to teach about counting and simple math. The shareware episode only demonstrates the pool hall, in which the player may wander around, counting pool balls and then uncovering the correct answers.
That's all well, but the game provides little motivation to solve the counting puzzles. There is no clear obstacle to the player's progress, and no reward for success. As a bit of random infotainment, the game is charming. As in Sherwood's other games of this vintage, the characters and backgrounds are bold and detailed. The world is full of puns, and cleverly assembled. It's just that there is no game here; just a bit of wandering and sightseeing. Unlike a modern exploration platformer (Knytt, cly5m's Seiklus), there is no challenge to the exploration so the sightseeing is not in itself much of a reward. That most of the world is locked away to unregistered users also somewhat dampens the experience.
As with Sherwood's other late-era games, Numberland is graced with sound blaster effects and FM music. The game also feels more generally stable and well-designed than some of Sherwood's earlier efforts.
With a bit more cause-and-effect in action, Rascal in Numberland could be a pretty good teaching aid. It is entirely possible that the later locations offer more in the way of player involvement, but one can only describe what one sees.
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Story[edit]
You are Rascal the Raccoon, and you are visiting Numberland. Numberland is a town where all the businesses are themed around mathematics. One store teaches the various numbers; another place will teach quantity. Basic math functions, and fractions round out the stores. This game will help pre-schoolers and children with basic math skills in a fun and educational environment.
Instructions[edit]
Welcome to Rascal in Numberland. In this, the shareware version, the only part of the game that is accessible is Number's Pool Hall. In this section of the game, you walk around the pool hall. Each table has a number of balls on it, either in the rack or on the table itself. Above the table is a pool rack. By walking on the rack, the number of balls on the table is revealed. You can have the child count the balls on the table, and then go to the rack to see if the answer is correct.
Please note, this is the shareware version of the game. The registered version has all the games in it for your child.
Credits[edit]
Rascal in Numberland, and the characters of the game, are the property of Sherwood Forest Software.
Sherwood Forest Software is:
- Rob Sherwood: President
- Dan Whalen : Art Director
- Randy Scott : Game Development
- Pat Curry : Game dDvelopment
Availability[edit]
Available on several shareware compilation CD-ROMs, including:
- Public Software Library's PSL Monthly #2-12: Programming (December 1994)
- Public Software Library's PSL Monthly #3-03: Home-Education (March 1995)
- Public Software Library's PSL Monthly #4-04: Education (1996)
- Public Software Library's PSL Monthly #5-02: Education (1997)
Archive History[edit]
Added to the archive on May 26, 2011. Located on one of many CD-ROMs hosted on cd.textfiles.org, during a search for Game-Maker file types.
Links[edit]
Downloads[edit]
- Rascal in Numberland (123 kB)
- Overworld map (15 kB)
- Level 1 map (61 kB)
