Math Rescue

About Math Rescue

Math Rescue is a single player platformer game. It was developed by Redwood Games and was released on May 5, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

This madness can only be the work of... the Gruzzles. In your last tangle with the mean ol' Gruzzles, you stopped them from stealing all the words from our books (in Word Rescue). This time the Gruzzles are taking all the numbers and it's up to you to get them back. Math Rescue is for ages 6 and up, and allows for a variety of options and skill levels. One of the options allows you to select the …

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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Reviews

83%Audience ScoreBased on 63 reviews

emotional2 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Engaging combination of educational math problems with colorful and nostalgic 2D platforming gameplay that appeals to children and adults alike.
Flexible difficulty settings and problem types allow customization for different ages and skill levels, making it effective as a math-teaching tool.
Smooth controls and level design with hidden areas encourage exploration and replayability, complemented by a charming retro art style and memorable music.

Outdated graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics make the experience feel clunky and repetitive by modern standards.
Limited variety and repetition of math problems reduce long-term engagement, and occasional grading errors can frustrate players.
Music volume is often too loud and annoying, some hitboxes and platforming sections are imprecise, and overall pacing can be uneven.

gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22% positive mentions, 45% neutral mentions, 33% negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple yet solid platforming mechanics combined with a lighthearted, non-violent slime-dousing combat system that suits its younger audience. It encourages curiosity and engagement through hidden areas and educational math puzzles, effectively blending entertainment with learning. While nostalgic and engaging for some, certain elements show their age after three decades.
- “Instead of traditional combat, players eliminate gruzzles by dousing them with slime, a mechanic that feels lighthearted and comical rather than violent—perfect for the game’s intended audience.”
- “Hidden areas reward curiosity with extra points and slime, while secret math puzzles encourage players to engage with the educational mechanics beyond the bare minimum.”
- “After more than thirty years, the math is still correct but the gameplay shows its age.”
- “The gameplay is intense and fast-paced, revolving around thieving popular children's items such as crayons, yachts, and watermelon.”
- “From a gameplay standpoint, the platforming itself is simple but solidly built.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33% positive mentions, 34% neutral mentions, 33% negative mentions
The music in the game is generally cheerful and memorable, often praised for its meditative quality that enhances focus. However, several users find it repetitive, sometimes loud, and occasionally annoying, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “As an adult, outside of playing it with the next generation, it's fun to revisit the level design, artwork and music.”
- “It's almost meditative how great the music is, and the focus needed to avoid monsters and calculate maths queries.”
- “The soundtrack is cheerful.”
- “The soundtrack, though cheerful, can become repetitive, and the pacing sometimes slows when multiple quizzes appear in close succession.”
- “The full game can get a bit repetitive, including the graphics and music, but it's fun enough.”
- “The music is more annoying; the 'secret areas' aren't that secret (plus you have to jump into danger areas that you'd have avoided in Word Rescue, so it's not intuitive).”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43% positive mentions, 14% neutral mentions, 43% negative mentions
The graphics of Math Rescue feature colorful, bold 16-color EGA pixel art typical of early Apogee software, prioritizing clarity and charm over realism. While dated and somewhat repetitive, they hold nostalgic appeal and suit the game's simple design, though they may feel simplistic and inconsistent to modern players.
- “Visually, Math Rescue carries the unmistakable charm of early Apogee Software: colorful, bold pixel art rendered in 16-color EGA graphics that prioritize clarity and whimsy over realism.”
- “The graphics are what you would expect for the time, but still charming to look at.”
- “As an adult, outside of playing it with the next generation, it's fun to revisit the level design, artwork and music.”
- “Between the old graphics, not very pleasant music, very simple level design, unsatisfying platforming you also have to contend with enemies which you can sometimes kill and sometimes cannot, sometimes enemy numbers have to match the solution of a problem at the bottom of the screen and sometimes they just have to be avoided no matter what, it's all kind of hit and miss and you somehow lose ... trash can lids when you get hurt?”
- “The full game can get a bit repetitive, including the graphics and music, but it's fun enough.”
- “So the graphics are also from that age.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
Users found the emotional aspect of the game impactful, with moments that evoke frustration and even tears, highlighting the challenging and immersive nature of the experience.
- “I cried about it.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The story features a charming and whimsical premise where mischievous creatures steal the world’s numbers, creating an engaging backdrop for the adventure. While simple, it effectively captivates younger players and provides a meaningful context for the gameplay.
- “The story sets the tone for the adventure immediately: the world’s numbers have been stolen by mischievous creatures known as gruzzles, plunging civilization into chaos.”
- “The plot is simple and endearingly whimsical, serving primarily as a framework for the gameplay, but its imaginative premise was surprisingly effective at pulling younger players into what could otherwise have been a purely academic exercise.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The humor in the game is conveyed through its bright, cartoonish world and imaginative characters, creating a playful and adventurous atmosphere. This blend of humor and creativity gives the game a unique and enduring charm.
- “The world is bright and full of character, with cartoonish enemies and imaginative backdrops that convey a sense of adventure and humor.”
- “The blend of humor, imagination, and instruction gave Math Rescue a unique identity that has endured far beyond its original purpose.”