The Crystal Rain Forest is an educational puzzle video game developed and published by Sherston Software for use in primary schools. Originally released in 1992 for the Acorn Archimedes computer platform, the game later saw releases for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS in 1999. With a focus on providing an engaging and educational experience, The Crystal Rain Forest combines captivating gameplay with valuable learning opportunities for young players.

Set in the enchanting world of the planet Oglo, the game follows the adventures of two protagonists on a quest to save the last remaining rainforest from the destructive "Cut and Run Gang." To achieve their mission, players must retrieve magical rainforest crystals and outwit various challenges, such as solving puzzles and navigating the dense rainforests.

The Crystal Rain Forest offers a first-person perspective that immerses players in the richly designed world of Oglo. Throughout the game, players encounter interactive activities, machinery puzzles, and programming elements, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Development 
The Crystal Rain Forest was developed by Sherston Software, a renowned educational software company based in the United Kingdom. The game was designed with a primary focus on providing an engaging and educational experience for young learners in primary schools.

The game's development journey began in the early 1990s when it was initially released for the Acorn Archimedes computer platform in 1992. It was among the early educational software offerings that aimed to harness the potential of technology to enhance learning experiences for children.

The concept of the game revolved around combining entertainment and education, making it appealing to young players while also serving as an effective teaching tool. To achieve this goal, the developers crafted a captivating narrative set in the magical world of the planet Oglo, where players would embark on a quest to save the rainforest and its mystical crystals.

The game mechanics were carefully designed to challenge players' problem-solving abilities and foster critical thinking skills. Players would encounter various puzzles and interactive activities throughout their journey, requiring them to think creatively to overcome obstacles.

In 1999, a later version of The Crystal Rain Forest was released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS, offering a wider audience the opportunity to experience the game's educational benefits. This update introduced much-improved graphics, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the game.

The Crystal Rain Forest was part of the Mission Control series developed by Sherston Software, a collection of educational software aimed at providing valuable learning experiences for young minds. The game's integration of interactive activities, machinery puzzles, and programming elements added depth to its educational content, offering students a multidimensional learning experience.

Gameplay 
The Crystal Rain Forest offers a captivating and educational gameplay experience for primary school students, designed by Sherston. The game is set in the fictional planet Oglo, where the lush rainforest of the kingdom of Azon is under threat from the nefarious "Cut and Run Gang," who are relentlessly cutting down the forest. Players take on the role of two protagonists who must embark on a mission to save the rainforest and its magical crystals, while also rescuing the poisoned king of Azon.

The gameplay is presented in a first-person perspective, providing an immersive experience for players as they explore the dense rainforest and undertake various challenges and puzzles. Through the use of controls and mechanisms, players navigate through the captivating rainforest environment to solve a series of interactive activities, ranging from machinery puzzles to computer programs and control mechanisms.

One of the notable features of the game is its incorporation of the geometric programming language, Logo, created at MIT in the 1980s. In this context, players have the opportunity to create short Logo programs to overcome obstacles and progress in the game. The enhanced graphics, particularly in the updated version released in 1999, contribute to a more realistic presentation of the challenges, making it an engaging experience for players.

The Crystal Rain Forest also stands out with its educational focus. The game serves as a valuable tool in the primary school curriculum, providing opportunities for students to develop problem-solving, logical reasoning, and math skills. Teachers and parents can use the game as a supplementary resource to reinforce traditional teaching methods.

While the educational aspects of the game are evident, some critics and educators question the extent of its educational value, suggesting that it may be more of a point-and-click adventure with puzzles rather than a structured teaching medium. However, the game's popularity among children and its well-written narrative contribute to its appeal and success.

The game is designed for single-player mode, allowing students to navigate the challenges at their own pace. Its availability on multiple platforms, including Acorn Archimedes, Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Mac OS, enables wider accessibility for young learners.

Plot 
The Crystal Rain Forest is set in the enchanting world of the planet Oglo, where the kingdom of Azon faces a grave threat. The once-thriving rainforest, home to magical crystals, is now endangered due to the destructive activities of the notorious "Cut and Run Gang." These antagonists relentlessly cut down the forest, posing a significant danger to its delicate ecosystem.

The game begins with a dramatic turn of events as the king of Azon is shot with a poison dart while trying to protect the rainforest from the Cut and Run Gang. With the king's life hanging in the balance, two brave protagonists step forward to take on a heroic mission. As the main characters, players embark on an adventurous quest to retrieve the magical rainforest crystals and save the king from the poison's deadly effects. Simultaneously, their mission is to stop the relentless deforestation and preserve the rainforest for future generations.

Throughout the game, players find themselves immersed in a series of challenging and diverse settings. These captivating scenarios include tracking paths through treacherous mountains and navigating the dense rainforest. To overcome these obstacles, players must use their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity.

The magical crystals play a central role in the storyline, and players must collect them to unlock the path to saving the king and restoring balance to the threatened rainforest. The game's narrative unfolds with each crystal collected, adding depth and excitement to the gameplay experience.

As the story progresses, the protagonists face numerous puzzles that require ingenuity and wit to solve. These brain-teasing challenges are interwoven with the overarching quest to save the king and the rainforest. Along the way, players engage with various interactive activities, machinery puzzles, computer programs, and control mechanisms, which add to the game's educational value and gameplay diversity.

Critical reception 
The Crystal Rain Forest received generally positive critical reception upon its release, with reviewers praising its educational content and engaging gameplay.

The game's unique blend of entertainment and education was well-received by educators and parents alike. It was considered an effective teaching tool for primary school students, offering a fun and interactive way to enhance their problem-solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning skills.

Reviewers particularly appreciated the game's immersive narrative and captivating world of Oglo. The enchanting setting of the rainforest and the quest to save the mystical crystals added depth to the gameplay experience and kept players invested in the story.

The Crystal Rain Forest was lauded for its incorporation of various interactive activities, puzzles, machinery, and programming elements. These features were seen as valuable in promoting hands-on learning and encouraging students to think creatively while navigating the challenges presented in the game.

The addition of the Talking Logo feature in the updated version of the game was well-received. It allowed children to hear the commands as they executed them, adding an auditory component to the learning process and enhancing the overall educational value of the game.

However, there were some contrasting opinions regarding the game's educational focus. While many praised its educational elements, some critics questioned whether the game provided enough structured learning opportunities for children with specific educational needs, such as dyslexic students.

References

Categories 
1992 video games
1999 video games
Acorn Archimedes games
Children's educational video games
Environmental education video games
Classic Mac OS games
Platform games
Single-player video games
Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Video games set on fictional planets
Windows games