Designasaurus II is a relatively simple yet engrossing game for younger kids. The game starts you out as a genetic engineer with your own lab, as well as a time-machine for sending your creations back through time to collect essential genetic material, called "gene prints", and then sending them back to the worldwide dinosaur genetics lab, called "The Foundation"
The game allows you to design your own dinosaur, by mixing and matching genetic material from different dinosaurs as well as from the special genetic materials that you collect over the course of the game.
This ends up becoming a parts-swap, adding the head of a Triceratops and the legs of a Velociraptor. These parts end up having effects on how your dinosaur plays in the game, naturally. Once you have chosen a certain mixture of genetic materials, you send your dinosaur back through time into different prehistoric settings.
The maps are birds-eye views, and are relatively large and expansive, filled with different types of flora and terrain, depending upon the time period and location you have been sent to. Magma and tar pits, deserts, jungles, and snow all make appearances. Additionally, other dinosaurs inhabit the area, and naturally you will be hunted by other carnivores, with the dinosaur species on the map being specific to the time period you are in
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(Jurassic, Triassic, etc.)
Depending on the genetic heritage of your dinosaur, you will need to both hunt other animals and kill them for food, or eat plants and trees on the map if you are an herbivore... or both if you are omnivorous. Additionally, your dinosaur will need water to keep it alive. Other dinosaurs are very leery about giving up their food, and even if you manage to kill your prey hunting, other dinosaurs will attempt to swarm the carcass and take your food from you.
The main goal is to survive long enough to explore the map and find the genetic material that is located somewhere in the area, collect it and then teleport back into the present day, where your scientist alter-ego can utilize the genetic information that has been found.
This game can easily occupy children, while also teaching them a great deal about dinosaurs and genetics. The replay-ability and choice that is given in creating your own dinosaur is a marvel touch, and caters to decision-making skills. The actual control of the dinosaur out in the real "Jurassic" world accurately reflects the decisions made, whilst being challenging enough for younger children to enjoy as a game rather than a mere educational slideshow. I recommend it!
