Bookworm Adventure

Pros

• Gives players more than enough time to form words before their opponents do.
• Players learn more about different types of literature and how to spell different words.
• Game play is so much fun that kids won't realize that they're learning.

Cons

• The program only lets you register three users at once.
• Younger kids might have problems spelling enough words to beat the higher levels.
• Older players may grow tired of the repetitive game play.

Released in 2006, Bookworm Adventures is a fun and whimsical adventure game that combines elements of puzzle games and role-playing games. Designed to make learning more fun for children, the developers won a number of prizes for the work they did. Despite the game spawning multiple sequels and launching a franchise, the original game still holds up to consumer demands to this day. The game is a great way to get kids excited about computers, reading and learning.

Lex the Bookworm guides players through various levels that focus on a specific era of history and the type of literature available during that era. Greek mythology, Chinese mythology and fairy tales are just a few of the levels available. When players start the game, Lex shows them how to form different words using the letters on the screen. The character then thrusts players into the game and puts them up against their first enemy. Instead of using weapons, players create words to fight. The computer-generated enemies also create words, and those words will knock down the player's health meter. Players who form words quickly will knock out their enemies and move to the next level.

Though Bookworm Adventures is suitable for players of different ages, it resonates more strongly with younger players and kids. They love playing a game that lets them use the tasks and skills they learned in skill, and parents love knowing that their kids have a game that does not rely on graphic and realistic violence. Younger kids will not have any problem getting through the lower levels in the game, but they might feel a little frustrated when it comes to forming words from lesser-used letters in the higher levels.

Another issue with the game is that it has a repetitive feel. Players will quickly notice that most levels are fairly similar. While the backgrounds and opponents change, players must still form words from various letters and use the same potions and products to win their battles. This is a common problem among older players, but younger players will have hours of fun with the game.

Kids today need to develop strong computer skills as soon as possible, which is where this game can be a real asset. They will also have fun learning new words and finding out what those words mean, and they can use those new words at school and in their homework. The fun and strength of the game explains why Bookworm Adventures won so many awards over the years.

Pros

• Gives players more than enough time to form words before their opponents do.
• Players learn more about different types of literature and how to spell different words.
• Game play is so much fun that kids won't realize that they're learning.

Cons

• The program only lets you register three users at once.
• Younger kids might have problems spelling enough words to beat the higher levels.
• Older players may grow tired of the repetitive game play.