by Joshua Brooks

Created on: September 28, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2011

Scrapbook Paige is a game which combines education and concentration with fun! The aim of the game is to decorate and sell scrapbooks (the better decorated, the more they sell for). But first it is imperative to locate certain items within the shop in a variety of areas (so although the object is still the same, because each area being searched is different and items are arranged in unique ways, finding them doesn't become routine).

Scrapbook Paige even upon entering the menu screen is a very soothing game. The music is calm and unobtrusive jazz giving a lounge' type atmosphere which is also consistent throughout game play. This is complemented by graphics of ample quality and a soft blend of pastels used in the colour scheme - even the font manages to sooth the player before even beginning the game.

Upon entering game play, the tutorial is warm and accepting and the player is introduced to the character (Paige) in the game. Even at this point the player can make an emotional connection between themselves and Paige which helps inspire them to continue playing.

An educational tool which requires lateral thinking is the inclusion of a riddle item' within each area. The player has to decipher the riddle as well as find the item. This is a great original and creative idea which has been added to keep the player's mind stimulated, encourage education and also keep them focused and entranced by the game.

After finding all items the level is completed and your score (which will vary depending on how quickly you found the items) will appear on the screen and you can then set about decorating your scrapbook. However, if trying to find these items within the time limit becomes stressful for the player, they can also play in a relaxing mode wherein there is no clock counting down and the player can search for items at their own leisure.

If impatience becomes an issue, Scrapbook Paige has incorporated two notably unique features to reduce this these being a magnifying glass (which can be used at any time) which enhances the size of objects within a certain area to make it easier to search and optional helpful hints, which indicate a rough area within which an item is located.

Once the items are found, a player can spend hours decorating a scrapbook as creatively as they wish with a choice between an enormous amounts of items which can be embellish it.

All of these original features incorporated in Scrapbook Paige set it apart from other find the item in the clutter' books/games which can become tedious and frustrating. These as well as the aim of scrapbook design make the game a thoroughly absorbent and uniquely creative one which would have children entertained for hours without them becoming frustrated or impatient.

I would purchase Scrapbook Paige for children (probably more for girls than boys) between the ages of 3-12 and rate it 4/5 because of its splendid combination of unique ideas with creativity, stimulation of lateral thinking all combined with hours of guaranteed fun!

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