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Connections: It’s a Mind Game

James Burke has always made scientific history fascinating for me with his television shows, including Connections and The Day the Universe Changed, as well as with his books of the same name and others, including Circles and The Knowledge Web.  The game brings together Burkes unique and humorous style with interesting environments and loads of puzzles, and along the way,  the player has fun learning how discoveries and inventions shaped history.

In the beginning, after choosing to play as male or female, we meet Burke in his study, and he explains that chaos is increasing and that the web of reality is starting to break down.  Of course, our job is to prevent that from happening.  As we solve puzzles, we collect items that appear in the chain at the bottom of our screen, and clicking on one shows a video explaining its importance.  Also, Burkes pops up in unusual places to help the flow and move the story along.  (His appearance in the Egyptian section made me laugh out loud.)  For me, this is edutainment at its very best.

Thanks, Dara!

Chrissie,
If I remember correctly, there’s only one spot in the Medieval part of the game where you’re addressed as M’Lady or M’Lord.

One of the things that I enjoyed about the game was the mix of modern and ancient in each section.  In Egypt, you arrive at a modern day campsite near the pyramids, but then you encounter an ancient Egyptian at the entrance of the pyramid, only to find a 1940s kitchen inside.  There are surprises like that everywhere.

I’ve not heard of this game. Is it generally available? When I was growing up Mr. Wizard was my go-to science guy.

James Burke is also in a ten-minute video in The Witness.

Another reason for me to play that game, Karlok.

Tim,
It was put out by the Discovery channel, and the copyright date on the disc is 1995.  It was for Windows 3.1 or 95 and Mac 7.0 or later.  It worked fine for me in Mac Classic 9.