Those darned rustlers!
Freddi Fish is something of a star in the edutainment world, having starred in a number of fine games including the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds and the Case of the Creature of Coral Cove. This one lives up to the general high standards of the series and if you haven't checked it out, then you're missing out on a good time. This one takes place in an underwater version of the Wild West and finds our hero Freddi on the trail of some dastardly rustlers who have stolen Cousin Calico's prized Hogfish. The game itself is a sort of junior version of classic adventures like Myst, where you explore a number of environments, seeking out clues to help you solve the numerous puzzles to be found in the brightly colored ocean depths. There are also a number of mini-games to play, including one styled after the arcade hit Asteroids. The puzzles and activities are quite varied and help to develop kids' skills in areas like problem solving, decision making, deductive reasoning and so on, all in an environment which is entertaining. As far as edutainment games go, this really is a cracker. It's got everything you need from such a game, including a fun storyline with some memorable characters. The visuals are also top notch, with lots of bright environments to explore and some wonderfully drawn and animated individuals to meet. The variety of puzzles is also just right and the ones here are both inventive and fun to complete, while being pitched at just the right level of challenge. All in all, a great nautical adventure!
