Software reviews

By DAVE GUSSOW, Times Technology Editor

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 3, 2000

Last Call

• MAKER: Simon & Schuster Interactive
• PRICE: $19.95

As if Panty Raider wasn't bad enough, Simon & Schuster comes along with Last Call. You're the bartender. You mix the drinks. You flirt with 20 customers with different personalities (from professional types to a Tarzan wanna-be). You earn tips during timed shifts to move to the next level. Accuracy counts (recipes are included, though figuring out the bar takes time). I tried one shift of 20 minutes, which was more than my fill.

PLATFORM: Windows, Macintosh

I See Sue . . . the T. rex

• MAKER: Simon & Schuster Interactive
• PRICE: $19.95

In this case, give Simon & Schuster and the Field Museum in Chicago credit for creating an engaging game for kids age 4 to 7. A child can play against the computer or a friend. Each player gets three cards, each with a part of the dinosaur: head, body or tail. Players take turns trying to get the right pieces of the puzzle. Put the parts together and the dinosaur goes on one of four trails. The first player to make enough matches to get around a trail wins and sees Sue. The program gives good explanations of each dinosaur, and the winner can print a page to color.

PLATFORM: Windows, Macintosh

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