Brainy Trials

Brainy Trials is one of six games in my learning series for young minds:

• PhysKids: Fun Physics for KidsPhysics & natural phenomena
• Sum-thing: Math Link PuzzleMental math
• Rail Shift: Cargo MasterFocus & concentration
• Mazecraft JourneyProblem solving
• Brainy TrialsMemory
• Which Way WizGeneral knowledge

The goal of this game is to train memory while still being fun to play. The stores are full of games like this, but most are small, the size of a mini-game. So I bundled five of them into a single app:

• Lava Pool: a hidden stone path crosses a pool of lava. Stand on the green stone to see it, then remember every block and walk across.
• Glass Bridge: only one pane in each row will hold you. Watch where your guide jumps, then follow in the very same steps.
• Cargo Boat: keep track of the containers loaded onto your ship, and only accept the factory orders you can fill.
• UFO Collector: beam up one of every thing on Earth, 101 in all, without ever taking the same thing twice.
• Sub Hunt: the radio only reports which way a hidden submarine moves. Track it in your head and fire one shot.

After letting my son try it, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. He doesn't seem to like it much. He loves the graphics and often opens the game just to look at it, but he never plays for long before closing it again. I suspect the game is simply too frustrating.