When we checked this program out with newer machines, it was considerably more interesting. Another disappointment was the navigation techniques. Players complained that they would have preferred to be able to use the arrow keys and side scrolling for navigation instead of clicking on a ball on the screen that allows one square of movement at a time. SimIsle is designed to encourage the user to consider the cause and effect of their choices. Three dimensional graphics allow you to zoom in close enough to see the buses full of tourists, the huts in the village, and oter items of interest.
Actual photographs show real rainforest plants and animals and provide habitat information.
Short videos show the happenings on your island, such as the logging camps and lumber production in the saw mills. Sound effects include singing birds, natives chanting, ocean sounds etc. Sounds can be turned off to allow better concentration. Print out the the costs of building material from the Read-Me. Reviewers initially found this program frustrating, the teenagers expected to find this game fun to play, but were frustrated that they needed to invest so much time learning how to play.