Bastion
LQ: 9.15
Recommended Age: 10+
Skills Used: Planning, Working Memory, Mathematics, Reading
In Harbor Master HD, players assume control of a busy harbor with numerous docks. Docks are marked in one of two colors which correspond to the two different types of cargo ships will be carrying. This means only purple cargo can be unloaded at a purple dock and only yellow cargo at a yellow dock. Some docks may also unload faster than others. Ships vary in size and speed as well as the amount and type of cargo they carry. As ships enter the harbor from random directions offscreen, player’s must quickly and efficiently designate safe lanes of travel in and out of the correct docks. As the volume of traffic increases, players must be increasingly vigilant in guiding ships to unload their cargo and then exit the harbor safely. Players must accrue as much unloaded cargo as possible before a collision takes place between two or more ships and the level ends. The first “Treasure Island” map is free to play, but additional maps must be purchased. This game contains no inappropriate content, has simplistic controls, but does require a fair amount of fine motor control and multi-tasking and is therefore recommended to any player ages 7 and up.
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Adapting and adjusting to changing conditions and expectations.
Habor Master HD requires users to think and act at a fast pace under constantly changing conditions. Ships enter the harbor at different speeds from numerous directions and contain different types and amounts of cargo for unloading. Players must be able to effectively manage the paths of numerous ships in various stages of travel to and from the unloading docks. Developing strategies as the action unfolds is a must as conditions can quickly deteriorate or change as new ships enter the play area. Failure to remain flexible in strategy will result in the collision of two or more ships and the end of the level.
Getting started and then maintaining attention and effort to tasks.
Players must be able to multi-task and devote their attention to a number of essential tasks taking place simultaneously. Because ships are in various stages of travel to and from docks, as well as unloading cargo, players must be able to quickly shift their focus from ship to ship, as well as be able to anticipate potential collisions with other boats and storms. Players who succeed in quickly and efficiently changing focus between various stages of action on the play-screen will far out perform players who are unable to concentrate on multiple moving ships.
Being efficient and aware of our use of time and effort.
While Harbor Master HD does not contain a time limit, players are constantly working against a "clock." Ships move at various speeds depending on their size and the amount of cargo onboard. In addition, ships also take different amounts of time to unload depending on how much cargo they are carrying and which dock they are unloading in. Often, ships outnumber the amount of available docks and players must be able to manage their time effectively in order to most efficiently guide new incoming ships strategically. Understanding the amount of time a ship will take to travel to a dock, how long it will take to unload, and when the dock will become available for a new ship are all essential to success. Players must also be able to anticipate the speed of ships traveling in the harbor as paths often intersect in the small harbor and players must avoid collisions between their vessels.
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