Game Review: Carmen Sandiego

I haven't posted on here in awhile. We just got back from Pittsburgh, and not long before that, we went on a trip to Cincinnati. So, it has been pretty busy around here.

I was't exactly sure what to write about. I could tell about our trips, but I didn't get many pictures, and I don't think we did anything that would excite you all. So, I thought I would show you a little "preview" of my other blog, "Sammy's Reviews."

I know that I have told you about my other blog, where I post book/game/movie/music reviews.I don't post on it much. I can hardly keep up with this one. But it is fun to write reviews every one in awhile, so I thought I would review a game on this blog, so you can kind of see what the other blog is like. And maybe, you might want to follow that one also.

So, the game I am reviews today is...

   Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego: Treasure of Knowledge

This game came out back in 2001, but was updated in 2007. (I have the oldest copy) 

If you don't know who Carmen Sandiego is, she is a world famous villain, who will steal pretty much whatever she can get her hands on. She works for V.I.L.E., a group of thieves. You, on the other hand, work for A.C.M.E. The "good guys." Your job in all of the games are to find Carmen, and retrieve the things she has stolen.

I guess back in the late 80's-early 90's, there was a Carmen Sandiego television series. I personally, haven't seen it, but I did hear that in the next year or so, Walden Media is going to make a Carmen Sandiego movie. And I guess Jennifer Lopez is going to have some part in it. Who knows? Maybe she'll be Carmen. She does kinda look like her...

Anyway, I am getting off the subject. In this game, you are working with two ACME agents...Jules Argent-A smart agent who used to work with Carmen when she was with ACME, and Shadow Hawkins-A new ACME rookie who want's to think he is tougher than he really is. That is one thing I liked about the game. Jules and Hawkins don't get along to well at the beginning. But as the game goes on, they have to learn to work together, which helps them both.

Anyway, Carmen starts stealing things, and as an ACME agent, it is your job to find clues around the world in different countries to help you find the stolen objects. That is one thing in the game that was kinda "over the top." Jules and Hawkins just HAPPEN to go to the EXACT place in the WORLD to find what they are looking for. But I have to keep telling myself..."Sam, it's a kids game." 

There are several logic puzzles in this game, which are my favorite. But the main part of this game is geography. They never tell you exactly where you have to go. They will give you small hints, like, "The capitol of this county is Paris." Or something like that.

If you don't know the answer, you can use a game based database to search words or places, and it will tell you what county you are looking for. It come very useful in the game. You can also learn words and phrases in different languages. (That is mainly for fun)

There are eight missions in this game. Each mission you find something Carmen has stolen, and at the end, you find out the reason she stole the things she did. 

This game is meant for 8-12 year old's. I was about nine, when I first played this game. I did end up finishing it eventually, but it took awhile. It was one of those games that you really get into, then put it down and don't play with it for awhile. Just recently, I pulled the game back out to play it. There were a few places that I got stumped, but I eventually figured out what I did wrong. 

Altogether, the game is pretty corny. The graphics aren't the best, and it isn't quite up to date. (When in New York City, you can see the Twin Towers from your bedroom window) But I did enjoy myself while playing it again. I think one of the reasons I had fun, was because it brought back many memories playing it in our basement with my brothers watching me, and because I love the whole mystery/secret agent plots. 

You can buy this game on Amazon for less than $7.00. Depending on your personality, this could be a good or bad price. But if you want to learn more about the world geography, this game is defiantly for you. I learned so many facts by playing this game. And although it might not help you ace that geography test you didn't study for..It sure does make you feel smarter. And that is one of the best feelings to have.

The Long Awaited Trip

It's been a few weeks since I have been on here. Sorry for ignoring you guys! Anyway, we got back from Illinois about a week ago. The trip was a lot of fun! The talent part didn't go as well as I hoped, but I won't get into that.

My favorite part of the trip was on Wednesday. We spent the whole day shopping in Chicago, which was AWESOME!!! We went to a bunch of stores. Puma, Apple, Disney, Lego, and of course, American Girl. But before I tell you what I got there, let's start at the beginning.

We left for the trip at about 6:30am. We stopped a few times to stretch our legs, and eat lunch, so we didn't get there until about 10:00am (11:00est) We went to our apartment first, to unpack our stuff. The apartment is amazing! It is right down town Chicago! I wish we lived there all year long!

This is a picture of the bedroom my brother and I shared. (My bed is the one with the junk on it)

And this is right outside my window. :) Awesome, isn't it?

Their is a lot more the the apartment than just the one bedroom. Their is a master bedroom, three bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. So we all had a little space. :)

So, after getting unpacked, we started shopping! We first went to American Girl. This was my fifth time going to an American Girl Place. It was really nice this time because it was empty, since we went on a school day. There was probably a total of 20 people in that store. And that's counting employees!

The mall that American Girl is in was very smart to put it right next to a Lego store. My brother's and dad we entertained the whole time my mom and I shopped!

I still had no idea which doll I wanted. I walked through the whole store about three times. I finally narrowed it down to two...Kit, and Josefina. 

I loved Kit! She is one of those that it seems everyone has. Many of my friends were surprised to learn that I didn't have Kit. The reason I always turned her down, was because of her hair. It is very cute, but I like to style hair, and with really short hair, it is hard to do that.

Josefina was my other choice. I always thought she was cute, but I heard that her hair gets frizzy, and like I said, I want to be able to style the hair. 

It was a very hard choice but I finally decided. I was getting......Both!

I know, I know. I sound spoiled. When I can't decided, I get them both. But I will let you know that the ONLY reason I got both was because my mom loved Kit. She would not let me get two doll if I didn't get Kit. So, that made the decision easier. Also, I DO have to pay for both dolls. I am not getting them for free. I have to work for the dolls. And all my allowance for the next few months are going to pay them off. I really only have to pay one off, because I had the money for one doll when we went on the trip.

Anyway, I am very happy with my decision. And to my pleasure, Kit's hair is very fun to play with, and Josefina's hair isn't frizzy! (Yet)

Anyway, that was the hilight of my trip. I also got to hold the world's largest Hershey Bar. $40.00 and 12,000 calories worth of the best chocolate ever. :)

So...that was the long awaited trip to Chicago. I can't wait to go back! Hopefully next year we will do the same thing again.

Have you ever been to Chicago? What was your favorite attraction? 

Thank you all for reading!

Sam

Chicago

Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day for my family. We are leaving for Chicago! I am very, excited! I haven't been to Chicago since 2009, and I am looking forward to it. We are staying at an Apartment right across the street from the Water Tower Place, which is where American Girl is. And yes, I am getting a doll.

I still haven't decided which one. At first, it was McKenna, then I changed my mind to a My American Girl. Now I'm looking a Marie-Grace. To tell you the truth, I have no idea which one I am going to pick. But I promise that I will let you all know who I get, once I get her.

Well, I really can't write much more. We are leaving early in the morning, and I still have to help my mom finish packing and cleaning. So...bye!

Pray that we have safe driving!!

Thank you! ~Sam

American Girl Place Decision

Hello fellow Bloggers!

I haven't posted in about 2 weeks for a pretty good reason. School. Remember my last post where I said I was going to try to finish all my school in one week. And well, I did it! In fact, I got done 2 days earlier that I expected! It was a very long week, but I am so glad I am done for the year. :) No more school until September! :)

Anyway, I am very excited to say that in 12 days, we are going to Chicago! And the even best part...Our apartment is right across the street from the American Girl Place!! And I mean, right across. Like, I can see it from my bedroom window! :) I am so excited! I am hoping to get a doll when we go, but I'm not sure if I will be able to or not. But you better believe that if I am aloud to get one, I will! :)

The only problem is...I don't know which doll to get. I was planning on getting McKenna, but I kinda want to get another one. So...here are my favorites, and maybe you guys can let me know which one you like the best!


 

So...Just let me know what you think! :) Thanks! ~Sam

Last Day on our Trip

Hey everyone!!! So, I have 7 people signed up for my giveaway, that means that I will give away 6 doll necklaces. So that means that 2 people will win!! :-) Remember, you have until this Friday to enter. Anyways, this is our last day on vacation. Right now, we are at a Bed and Breakfast in Philadelphia. The person that owns it is a friend of my dad. Anyways, tomorrow at around 9am, we will be heading back to Michigan. We should be home by tomorrow night. Here are some of the pictures that we took this week. Hope you enjoy them!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/112185074860138157629/Vacation2010AmericanGirlPlace#



I'll Post more when we get back! ~Sammy

Vacation: Day 1: New York

Hey Everyone! It's me. And I am very bored. Right now, we are on our way to New York. We left this morning at 6:30am, and have been on the road ever since. We just left Cleveland. But we are almost in Pennsylvania. It is 10:15am, And my parents said we should be their by 3:30pm. I am ready to be there. I have a stomach ache from the car ride. (I hate sitting in the back seat) And no, I am not on my blog right now. I am on word pad, so when I do get into Internet range, I will post this on my blog. Oh! And I am really excited, because I know what doll, or should I say dolls I am getting!! lol Okay, so since I am bored, I will tell you the whole thing. :) I really wanted Felicity or Elizabeth because they are going to be archived. But...I don't have enough money for ether of them. So my mom told me that I could get one this week, but not be able to open her until Christmas. But I wasn't sure which one I really wanted. but my dad gave us each $35.00 to spend on vacation.So, my mom said that I can get one doll for Christmas, and then with my $35.00, I will put it towards another doll, and she will pay for the rest of it. But, I won't be able to open her until Christmas ether. So...I am fine with that! So on Saturday, I will get 2 new dolls. I promise that I will take pics of the AG place. And of my future dolls, Felicity and Elizabeth! :) Well, I will try to post this once we get to the Hotel. I will try to update you all on our trip. If I have time, everyday I will post about what I did that day. So, tonight, after we get to our Hotel, we are going to Cracker Barrel, because my dad has gift cards, then we are going to an Ice Cream Place. Then probably back to the hotel to go swimming. Hopefully, it will be fun. I have to get off now, because my laptop is about to die on me. Anyway, I will post this ASAP. Thanks for reading!!! ~Sammy

Cori's Birthday, Vacation Suspense, and Teen Girl's Day Book

Hey everyone!!

Guess what??? Today is my friend Cori's 15th birthday!!! On Sunday, I went to her party. She did a laser tagging party. It was SO much fun! I would LOVE to do it again some time! :) I am working on something for Cori's birthday, but I don't have it done yet. But when I get it done, I will put it on here! So, Happy Birthday Cori!!!! lol

I am getting really excited about our vacation! It is going to be AWESOME!!! Anyway, I am going to do another Day Book. Like I said, I am going to do a few different ones, and then when I find the one that I like the best, I'll stick with it. So, today, I am doing the teen girls Day book. :) Ready? Here it goes!!





Date: 9/14/10


Starting Time: 6:35pm


Mood: Pretty Happy. :)


Outside my window: Dad mowing the grass. Really pretty day.


I'm thinking: About vacation :D


I'm reading: The Christy Miller books. (They are Awesome!)


I'm listening to: The music on my blog. (Right now, Naturally, by Selena Gomez) :)


I'm wearing: Black Jeans, and blue tank top.


Yesterday I: See for yourself. :) http://sammysleuth.blogspot.com/2010/09/long-day-short-post.html


I'm excited for: VACATION!!!!


I'm sad because: Our car isn't working. :/


I'm hungry for: Gummy Bears! lol


The song stuck in my head is: Fearless by Taylor Swift


I want: to chat with someone. :)


I love: My friends, family, and puppy


I hate: Headaches. :p


This week my goal is: To have a fun time on vacation!


Did I meet my goal of last week: What goal? lol


Ending time: 6:41pm


That was fun! Thanks for reading guys!
(And Happy Birthday, Cori!) ~Sammy

Long Day, Short Post :)

Not much to talk about. I am very tired. I spent the most of the day cleaning my room. It wasn't that bad, but I had a lot of clothes on the ground. I listened to 14 Adventures in Odyssey episodes. I have been listing to the Novacom album. (If you don't know what Odyssey is, it won't make since) Anyway, Then this afternoon, a family from our church came over. They have three girls. (5,3, and 1) They are very sweet. We played with my ag dolls, then we colored pictures of princesses. It was very fun. :) But I am SO tired. It is 11:07pm, and I am ready to go to sleep. Tomorrow, I am going to work at the library, then maybe ride my bike at the park. (I haven't decided yet) Then, we are going to start packing for our trip. We are leaving this Thursday. I am excited, but it feels like it is coming too soon. I will take LOTS of pictures. And hopefully, get a new doll at the American girl place in New York or Boston. Well, I think that is it. I feel very sleepy, and I can't stand to look at a screen anymore. I am ready to pull the warm blankets over my head, and fall very asleep. :) I'll try to post again tomorrow. :) ~Sammy