Overview
Action SATS Learning: Key Stage 1 4-7 Years: Numbers is a title that is designed to help children learn through a gaming environment. The subject here is, obviously, numeracy and the title plays just like a computer game.
Each topic is treated as a new level in the game, when a level is completed the player is treated to a mini-game and the points scored in these games are used to increase the pupils game time. The game continues until the player runs out of time at which point the game ends.
The topics/levels in this title are: Counting to Ten; Addition to Ten; Subtraction to Ten; Addition to Twenty; Subtraction to Twenty; Odd/Even Numbers; Two, Five and Ten Times Tables; Decimals; Rounding Up and Down; Fractions; Sharing; and Simple Algebra.
The format throughout is the same, The player is presented with a series of multiple choice questions each of which has four possible answers. Each question has a points value which decreases the longer the pupil takes to answer. To aid the pupil there are three help options, a 'Zap 2'box which eliminates two false answers; a 'Clue' box which gives the pupil a very strong hint; and a 'Look It Up' box which gives the pupil the information they need to answer the question.
In most levels the pupil is asked a question, sometimes in mathematical form e.g. '6 - 3 = ?", sometimes in words such as "Which of these numbers is odd?" or "Find the quarter?". Accompanying the question are four possible answers and the player and must select the correct answer from the four letters shown. There are some minor topic dependant variations, for example in Level 1 the player is shown a picture of a number, e.g. 6, and must select the word 'six' from the four words presented.
There is a high score table and the game is played entirely with the mouse.
The mini games in this title are: Hell Bats: A Space Invaders* style game where the player must destroy as many green alien bats as possible with just one life.
-Pop Shots: A mouse controlled shooting gallery game in which the player aims for a high score, the rows of targets go faster and faster as the game progresses
-Meteor Wars: A mouse controlled Missile Command game
All levels can be revised, i.e. played individually, and the pupil can also take a test in each subject for which they are rewarded with a printable certificate.