Mindscape Paddington The World Mystery Tour

paddington has gone to peru to visit aunt lucy who is turning 100 years old. When he gets there he finds she has gone missing, and he sets out to locate her. He has to travel the world in his search, learning as he goes. Paddington is armed with several tools to help, including a camera to take pictures (which are then stored in a photo album) and a magnifying glass, which is handy for finding clues. Mr gruber, his friend from the original tv series and books, accompanies him and provides hints and advice, but ultimately it is up to you to solve each of the puzzles in this linear adventure.

in places the game is rather too complex and difficult for children aged four to play alone--a parent definitely needs to be on hand. The first task, for example, is to locate a major city on a world map. Some of the game controls are a little odd as well--you need to choose the marmalade jar from the inventory to change the game settings for example. Still, paddington the world mystery tour is a neatly produced cd-rom, and you don't see many linear adventures for very young users. --sandra vogel