Secret Paths to the Sea
Purple Moon	Ages 8 to 12

Rating Scale 5 = great,    1 = poor

Educational Value 3.9

Kid Appeal 4.5

Ease of Use 4.5

System Requirements

PC / Mac Price Survey

Product Support

A sequel to Secret Paths in the Forest, this program is not only similar in design and content, but is every bit as unique and enjoyable as its predecessor.

The adventure begins in a romantic old lighthouse, which can be decorated to the user's color and pattern specifications. Investigation reveals a 19th century journal, kept by a young dreamer named Bronwyn. She describes the lighthouse as her refuge, and the trunk therein as a corridor into a magical world. Inside the trunk reside seven girls (characters encountered in the Rockett series, also from Purple Moon) who are present to share their bumps and bruises and receive solace and advice.

Upon hearing each character's tale, the user is invited to accompany her on her journey--a journey of awareness and enlightenment, and one that results in a resolution, to some extent, of her dilemma. Along the way, the user is asked to complete puzzles and earn 'secret stones'. When all of the stones have been collected, they transform into a beautiful necklace. At that time a gentle and poetic tale is told, illustrating a new perspective on the situation.

Educational Value

Secret Paths to the Sea maintains Purple Moon's promise to enlighten the young mind by opening it up to new ways of thinking about life. The situations facing the lighthouse inhabitants are not life or death -- nor are they fantastical or unique. Most of us have dealt with similar situations in our lives. Learning to tackle them with understanding and sensitivity is a gift, in this case it is Purple Moon’s gift.

Many of the puzzles can be played at three difficulty levels, providing continuing challenges for repeat play.

Kid Appeal

Our kid testers found this program to rival Secret Paths in the Forest in every way, and never reported being bored by the similarity between the two programs.

Parent reviewers were especially impressed with the perceptive manner in which the characters’ predicaments were addressed. At no time does the program resort to preachiness or brainwashing. It acknowledges that often in life there are no absolutes, and although we all make mistakes, with thoughtfulness and consideration most can be corrected.

As an added bonus, Purple Moon continues the adventure on their website at www.purple-moon.com. A continuing story based on Secret Paths to the Sea is featured along with entertaining activities starring the entire Whistling Pines gang. To access the story, click on “Friendship Adventures” and on the Secret Paths to the Sea screen shot. The initial adventure consists of seven captioned illustrations and a “to be continued” promise.

Best for... / Bottom-Line

This program will especially appeal to the sensitive young dreamer who will enjoy its soothing land and seascapes and mystical tales. An active go-getter, or a child with a short attention span might become bored with the theme.

See SuperKids' comparisons with other girls software titles, and the Buyers Guide for current market prices of the PC and Mac versions.

PC: Windows 95 or 98, 486DX/66MHz or faster cpu, 10 MB hard drive space, 16 MB RAM, SVGA graphics (640 x 480, 256-color) display, Doouble-speed or faster CD-ROM, 16 bit Windows-compatible sound card

Mac: System 7.1 or higher, 68040/33 MHz or faster cpu, 10 MB hard drive space, 12 MB RAM (8 MB available), 256 color monitor, Double-speed or faster CD-ROM

Reviewed on:

PowerMac 6400/200 with 32MB and 8XCD

Pentium166 with 24MB and 12XCD

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