Math Rescue

About

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

Math Rescue is an educational game for ages 6 and up, where players can choose to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems, or a mix of all four. As either a boy or girl character, players adventure through various locations, rescuing numbers stolen by the Gruzzles. The game offers adjustable skill levels, built-in help, and saves progress, with partial Xbox 360 Controller support.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews

humor2 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Math Rescue effectively combines fun platforming with educational math practice, making learning enjoyable for children.
The game features adjustable difficulty levels, allowing players of various ages to engage with appropriate math challenges, from basic addition to more complex multiplication and division.
Its charming pixel art and whimsical soundtrack evoke nostalgia, appealing to both adults who played it in their youth and new players looking for a lighthearted educational experience.

The game suffers from a limited pool of math problems, leading to repetition during extended play sessions.
Some players find the controls and platforming mechanics clunky and outdated, which can detract from the overall experience.
The soundtrack, while cheerful, can become repetitive, and the pacing may slow down when multiple quizzes appear in quick succession.

gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay is characterized by a whimsical and engaging platforming experience that cleverly integrates educational elements, using lighthearted mechanics like dousing enemies with slime instead of traditional combat. While the core gameplay is simple and nostalgic, it effectively rewards exploration and curiosity, making math feel empowering rather than a hindrance. However, some players note that the gameplay shows its age after more than thirty years, despite its initial charm and positive reception.
- “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.”
- “Rather than treating arithmetic as a barrier to gameplay, it uses math as a means of empowerment.”
- “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%
34%
33%
The music in the game is described as cheerful and at times meditative, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some players finding it repetitive and occasionally annoying. While it contributes positively to the overall atmosphere, its volume and repetitiveness can detract from the enjoyment, especially during intense gameplay moments. Overall, opinions on the music are mixed, with some appreciating its charm and others feeling it disrupts the flow of the game.
- “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 math 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.”
- “My only complaints with this game are the extremely loud music, the weird hitboxes, and the platforming (at certain parts).”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The graphics of Math Rescue are characterized by colorful, bold pixel art in 16-color EGA style, reflecting the charm of early Apogee software. While they are dated and may feel repetitive, they effectively prioritize clarity and whimsy, making them suitable for the game's educational purpose. Overall, the visuals evoke nostalgia, though they may not appeal to modern standards.
- “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.”
- “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, and 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.”
- “The graphics are what you would expect for the time, but still charming to look at.”
- “So the graphics are also from that age.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story features a whimsical premise where mischievous creatures called gruzzles steal the world's numbers, leading to chaos. While the plot serves mainly as a backdrop for gameplay, its imaginative nature effectively engages younger players, making the experience more enjoyable.
- “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.”
- “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.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its vibrant, cartoonish art style and imaginative settings, which create a whimsical atmosphere. This blend of humor and creativity not only enhances the gameplay experience but also contributes to the game's lasting appeal, making it memorable beyond its educational intent.
- “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.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, with some expressing that it moved them to tears, highlighting its ability to evoke deep feelings and resonate on a personal level.
- “I cried about it.”
- “The story touched my heart deeply.”
- “I felt a strong connection to the characters and their struggles.”