5 comments about E-Learning Games: Interactive Strategies for Digital Delivery (Neteffect Series).

1. I have been creating interactive media including e-learning for over 12 years, been a Professor of interactive media and e-learning design for over 8 years, and am currently seeking a PhD in E-Learning. This book is not worth the money. The information in it is only representational of the typical online instruction with message board usage. There are no interactive gaming examples or information for creating e-learning games. The title is extremely misleading.
   
   The same information at a cheaper price with an easier read and better examples can be found in "Engaging the Online Learner: Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction" by Conrad and Donaldson.



2. This is an excellent book and very helpful if you are designing online learning without lots of bells and whistles. I liked that it was based on theory and had lots of creative ideas for making e learning both fun and educational. It's not a gamer book, so maybe the title is a bit misleading, but if you are looking to bring some of the interactivity you might experience in the classroom to the web, this is a useful resource.



3. I am a new online teacher and found this book to be a good resource. I like the template and the way it is divided into openners, closers, review exercises, and even peer learning. I have used several of the ideas in the book and they have worked well. I just wish there were more examples, but the content is well researched.



4. There are many interesting ideas within this book that will help those teaching online courses that include forums. It's not another technology book, but looks at ways to get people communicating online. I like the design template and found it helpful.



5. I couldn't even read it! This book came to me off of the photocopy machine.. with half the pages missing and the rest were very poor quality.
   
   Very disappointing for a $50 book. It will be returned.

5 comments about Tomb Raider II: The Official Strategy Guide (Secrets of the Games Series.).

1. Tomb Raider II is one of the best games on earth, and this guide is the key to beating the game. Lots of pictures and tips for getting the most out of the game from a guy who knows what he's talking about. Worth every penny for Lara's coolest adventure!



2. No Tomb Raider Fan would want to miss this product!!!!!! Buy it toda



3. ccbvxcbvxbv



4. If you like Tomb Raider II you'll love this strategy guide. It has solutions for all the puzzles,bosses,traps,how to find every one of the keys,not to mention sure-fire ways to defeat every level,and tons of pictures of Lara and all the levels.



5. Very good, assuming the reader is already familiar with the jargon and general feel for the game.Not deserving critiscism however as people tend to expect too much from such guides.After all,a "guide" is just that.The old grey matter needs some exercise for games such as the Tomb Raider series.Thanks to Kim, a lot of people will still get that rush of achievment,a hell of a lot faster.

1 comments about Pitfall Harry Official Strategy Guide.

1. I absolutely love the game, and as with any game I try not to ever use a guide book for as long as possible so as to uncover the plot myself, without an accidental spoiler. But, as I've wanted to completely conquer this game, in my replayings of it, I did indeed purchase the guidebook to shorten my search times on the scavenger hunt portion of the game. The game is certainly chalk full of secrets, and if for no other reason, you will definitely want to pick this brilliant all color, beautifully illustrated guidebook. Certainly, you will also have the advantage of having a good place to turn if you get stumped while in story mode. Believe me, it will happen.

5 comments about Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984: A Complete Reference Guide.

1. This is a GREAT book. If you played and/or liked those wonderful video game systems and game cartridges from that era, GET THIS BOOK! Yes, the price is steep but you get so much! First, it's a hardback book with quality binding for repeated readings and "thumbing through." Second, there is a LOT of info in this book about the systems and the individual games. I had been thinking about buying some of the rare (and expensive) games but after reading the author's description of them, I discovered that some of them weren't what I expected and would have been a waste of money for me. So getting this book not only told me a lot about these great classic games systems and games, but also saved me money!



2. I would like to say, before I get into the review, that I thoroughly enjoy books like this, and have enjoyed flipping through this one. With it's flaws it's still an enjoyable book, and if you'd like to relive some of the early days of gaming, you can much worse than picking this one up.
   
   That said, what I feel brings this book down so much is that it's very much biased in the descriptions of the games. It is an impressive undertaking to describe every game that was available for platforms between 1972 and 1984, and the descriptions of them is nice and appreciated. But with the book looking very much like a textbook and having the phrase "A Complete Reference Guide" written on the front, the last thing I want in the descriptions (remember that I'm talking about the descriptions of the games specifically) is the bias of "this game is mundane" or "this is one of the best." If they had been broken up into core data on the game and an editorial, somewhat akin to the Digital Press Guide, it would have been more worth reading. Be sure to take all of the writing with a grain of salt.
   
   It's the bulk of the content that keeps the score as high as I've given it, and the presentation is very beautifully done. Having met and spoken to Brett Weiss I know the publisher is one that also put out text books for schools, and that explains the clean presentation, along with the clean black-and-white pictures strewn throughout the chapters being placed perfectly among the outlines for each game. Honestly though, I would have liked more description of the games other than just the content; it seems almost rushed in the way the publisher/developer-type info is pasted at the top of each blurb.
   
   It's a decent product, an interesting read, and a beautiful-looking book... I just wish the content was a bit less biased and cut to the core of what each game was about, maybe more background info... but I can dream, and if he decides to work on a more up-to-date game-describing collection he'll take criticism to heart, making his project even better.



3. This tome seems to have been written with my video game tastes and interest in mind. I don't care too much what has gone on in the video game world after 1984, except for games that have been released for the systems covered in this book. If you love the classics like I do, check this out...I haven't seen a better book than this one. Each system is covered reasonably extensively with reviews of all the original games released. I would of liked the author's take on homebrews as well....but at least he includes a list in the appendix of what has been released for the various systems. I enjoy the editorial content; I get a feel for what his likes and dislikes are and then judge the game accordingly. Of course, I agree more than disagree with the majority of reviews of the games I have played. It was delightful to read about systems and their respective games that I don't own as well. Plus, I enjoy browsing through the glossary provided. This book is a labor of love, and I recommend it to everybody who is fond of the "Golden Age" of home video gaming.



4. I recently received my copy of Classic Home Video Games. GREAT JOB!
   
   After purchasing several expensive pinball books that ended up being more along the
   lines of a family photo album, e.g., "Here's me with Wayne Neyens", "Here's
   another picture of me with Wayne Neyens", "Here's a picture of my kid with
   Wayne Neyens"...this book was a welcome addition to my library. This book is
   highly professional and, as such, extremely useful. The caliber of this book
   is along the lines of legal reference books. Frankly, I never expected to
   see this degree of organization and editorial discipline in this particular
   arena.
   
   This contribution to the chronicling of the classic video games will be
   priceless to collectors for generations to come. This book is the benchmark and
   basically defines the niche.
   
   Please be aware that this is a serious reference work. It is not a "coffee table" picture book. Also, as with any type of review, there is a certain amount of subjectivity involved, however, the author provides useful, relatively unbiased information considering there were undoubtedly page limits that had to be adhered to.
   
   I have a large library of collectible-type books spanning an eclectic variety of subjects, and this is one of the best such books that I have. If you look upon yourself as a video game collector or enthusiast, this is a MUST HAVE.



5. Before I start nitpicking, let me begin by saying that this book is great. As far as other reviewers feel about Weiss's personal opinions about games, I WELCOME them. The author would be performing a disservice by not warning collectors about duds before we unload a hefty amount of cash on them.
   
   Now let's talk about room for improvement. For the price, and the type of book (hardbound compendium), I expected something with more keepsake quality. The pages are thin, and all of the photos are in black and white, which in my opinion deters from what the pictures are trying to convey.
   
   While this book is thorough in describing each game for each system, the essays on the systems themselves are all rather short, 1-2 pages. A longer passage, including more hardware specs, history, and even company politics at the time would have been great.
   
   But at the end of the day, it's a welcome addition to my library. As part of a dying breed, I love being able to walk over to my bookshelf to look up a game, rather than having to google it. Great job, Brett. Perhaps a 2nd edition will knock it out of the park.

1 comments about Driver 3 (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. This book is very useful. Sadly, lots of mistakes are in it. It got the cars Dolch Schub and Dagger TypeT mixed up, and TypeT is not a secret car. Dolch Schub is, but the Dolch Schub is what they said is the Dagger TypeT is the Dolch Schub. And what they said the TypeT is is the Dolch! Also, they said the V-8 is called the 80 Redline and they called the same car the Scout Chaser! The Scout is a pickup truck. What the 80 Redline is they called the V-8! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! At least I know what they mean.

No comments about NBA Street Homecourt (Prima Official Game Guide).

5 comments about Chromehounds (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. Prima guides tend to be hit or miss and this one is a definate miss. The book doesn't contain any information that couldn't be gathered from reading the instruction manual and playing a couple of games. Some of the information in the book is even incorrect. For example, during online play you have the option to set out numbered counters that come in three different colors. According to the Prima guide this will place your support units at these locations. According to the instruction manual these are nothing more than waypoints for your squad to reference, which is actually what they are. The Prima guide is nothing more than a collection of worthless maps and a parts list which gives the basic stats. It should be noted that you can view these parts and these maps right in the game without the frustration of going through this poorly organized book. There are allot of questions concerning online play during the Neroimus War which this book does nothing to answer. If you are looking for more detailed information about the game then the best source is in the online forums. You won't find any usefull information in this book.



2. Found names of parts and their stats did not match up properly for several categories--including generators and armor...no clues as to how to get the secret weapon acheivment



3. Nice,.......But it's NO Mechwarrior
   
   I don't have much to say.The graphic are nice,but seem to suffer from the typical console effect of linear movement.The HD and the explosions are a fine effect also,YET,your hounds are limited to just "gun" fire and rockets,with no"laser"weapons like the God-Father of mech machines-the PC Mechwarrior series of the '90-'00.But it still is a worthy game to have in your collection at 720p.



4. This guide is essential to getting up to speed quickly and getting through the offline missions. It also helps you plan your online game play strategy with all of the maps avaialble to study prior to selecting a mission and setting up installations and determining best routes.



5. It seems like the "author" of this guide banged it out in a day or two. The multiplayer section is absolutely worthless and offers no useful help on building hounds. This guide was so bad that I now no longer by Prima guides until I've read reviews or talked to other players who bought it to make sure it's actually worthwhile. This guide is worth $2, not $20. All of the info presented is obvious or available in-game. There are also many errors, so there's no point in using it to base any decisions on or strategy, because you have no way of knowing what is erroneous information and what is not.

2 comments about Maximo: Ghosts to Glory Official Strategy Guide.

1. Like VERSUS BOOKS this guide needs to be given 4.5 stars. The guide has its hits and misses. The guide has a detailed walkthrough with great maps and screens, but what is misses in is the walkthrough somewhat.

   The Walkthrough is good and the maps were detailed, but to be truthful the maps have all these symbols there that they cover up so much stuff. This can make it hard to navigate sometimes. Hidden Chest are all located, and ALL levels are explained in great detail.

   Nice history and interviews behind Maximo, but this guide also misses a bit in the secrets. The secret level is detaled but its more like a take out poster that could've been in the walkthrough.

   The guide actually tells you how much items cost. The bestiary before certain worlds was also very nice, but leaves a lot of page flipping.

   OVERALL:Positive:
   +Good maps and boss strategies
   +Great detail and item descriptions
   +More in-depth with enemies than any other guide! A bestiary!
   +History behind Maximo

   +Interviews with the creaters
   +Great Boss strategies

   Negative:
   -A LOT OF PAGE FLIPPING
   -Level 31 is like a pull out poster
   -Fuzzy Screens and some a little small
   -Not enough on Game Basics




2. The guide was fine however it took six weeks before it arrived. The seller only replied to one of three E-Mails. I would not/will not buy again from this seller.

No comments about Age of Empires II The Age Of Kings (Computer Game Manual).

No comments about P.N.03 Official Strategy Guide.