Installation is quite easy. Pop in the CD, and run the installer. No restarts required if you have QuickTime 3.0 or later already installed. However, you can take a little extra time (and hard drive space) to copy the data files from the CD to your hard disk. By dragging and dropping just three files and two folders into the already created Amazon Trail folder, you will not need the CD for game play, and the game will run much faster.

The game explains everything as you go along. You can set it up so you can hear the people talk, read what they are saying, or read and hear. You start by selecting a guide. If you do something you are not supposed to, they tell you. If you need help, ask. It's just like interacting with real people, and gives children valuable social skills. After you select your guide and a starting set of supplies (akin to any Oregon Trail type game), you head out on the river.

Once on the river, you have some hard to understand controls. Luckily, if you hold your mouse over the control, it will tell you exactly what it does. This is a great way for kids to work with their memories. Soon, they will quickly be able to relate the controls to what they do. These controls consist of fishing, talking to the guide, exploring, a map, and much more. All but the explore buttons are useful to the game. However, exploring will get the children to learn different types of animals and their names.

When navigating the river, you just move your mouse around the screen. The mouse pointer turns into different shapes for what direction you are going. For orientation, you have a compass right below the main river screen. While you are traveling the river, you have to watch out for such things as logs, shallow spots, and more. These things can hinder your quest, or tip your boat over, making you loose valuable supplies.

Speaking of supplies, the most valuable supply you have is your food. Without food, you can become sick, weak, or even loose your virtual life. While you can trade for food, and find fruit, most of your food will come from fishing. To fish, you must click on the Fish button, and use your mouse to point at the fish in the water, and click to throw your harpoon. The more fish you take, the more you can eat, and the longer you stay healthy. A definite way to increase hand-eye coordination.

The map button serves two functions. Not only does it show you where you are on the river, it also tells you your current conditions such as food level, how much you are eating, and health. Also, you can use it to turn around and head the other way if you like. You will come back to the map many times during the game, as you need to know where you are going, and where the next way point is.

The other buttons are the supplies button that will show you how much of each type of item you have. A guidebook that is packed with learning materials. A gathered items button that will show you what you have picked up on your trip. And a photo album button that lets you see pictures of different things, however doesn't let take your own pictures.

While on your adventure, random things such as sickness, boat leaks, and many other things. You have to rest, repair, and use your skills to avoid, or fix these things when they come up. Plus, different way points have different adventures. Some people just want to trade, while others want to take you as prisoner. Your adventure is never the same twice.

Finally, you have a idol being that will help you throughout your quest. The jaguar like animal with gives you special information, help you out of jams, and all around be there for you. Use his information wisely, he is the key to winning the game.

I did experience random freezes while playing. Sometimes, they would require just a force quit, and other times a force restart. Either way, it is very annoying if you have forgotten to save in a while. Luckily, they don't happen that often, and usually only occur if you play for an hour or more at a time.

If you have children, or just enjoy edutainment games, Amazon Trail is perfect. Ever since the original Oregon Trail, this series has been immensely popular with school children. Every version since then has just gotten better and better, and this one is no exception.

Pros	Cons
Great way for kids to learn about the Amazon Great way for kids to learn about computers Different difficulty levels for different ages Almost everything is interactive Use/learn many skills to complete the game Tons of extra learning materials	Random crashes and freezes Not the best graphics Hard to understand buttons
8/10 stars