Monkey Academy

"It's Just So Beautiful"

Beautiful

I knew this game was special when I happened to notice the name one night. So I had to get it. Much to my delight this game proved to be everything I wanted, and more. These little monkeys pulled off a fine game. Hell, it's a learning game and I still find it fun. Now onward with the review.

Graphics: 8/10

For when this was made the graphics are quite nice. They also flow very well. The levels look an awful lot like the original Super Mario Brothers(The one where you get coins to win, not the one that came with the NES).I do so very love watching the little monkeys dance every time I win a level. They're just so cute.

Sound/Music: 8/10

Right from the opening song, to the in level music, I enjoyed all that I heard. The music didn't get on my nerves at all. In fact I loved the music. The sound effects are pretty much your general run-of-the-mill sort of sounds. They do their job, and don't drive you insane

Gameplay: 8/10

Ok, I'll explain the nature of this game now. It's a child's math learning game. You pick whether you want to do addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Then you choose from one of four difficulty levels. After the level starts up you'll be given a math problem with one missing number. You have to figure that number out, and then pull down the right wall scroll from a choice of many.

A good deal of the higher level division levels use mostly estimations. At first glance I thought they were insane if they expected me, and the little kids they made this game for, to be able to do that kinda math in your head. Let alone while trying to dodge an evil little crab.

You often have to run around a good deal of the level pulling wall scrolls down until you find the right one. Though you do have to watch out for a fast moving crab. For an enemy that goes the exact same path every time he can sneak up on you. When you think you've pulled down the right wall scroll you press an action button to choose it as your answer. If you pick the wrong wall scroll then the game gives you an X. Get three X's and you lose. A crab will come out and do the problem for you at this point. If you get the right one happy music will play. Then you take the right one to your other monkey friend on top of the math problem. Then you bust out the amazing happy monkey dance. Words can not describe how awesome this is.

Rent or Buy? Well if there still exists somewhere to rent it, buy it. If it doesn't exist, buy it anyway. This game is most defiantly a keeper.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/26/03, Updated 06/26/03