Free Download Manager review of PacWriter

The developers of PacWriter designed it as a funny educational game that can help small children acquire typing skills.

The plot of the game is very simple: users should save Mr. PacWri or Ms. PacWri (as they choose) from scaring ghosts by quickly typing the letters they see on the screen. The idea itself is a good one to encourage children to get acquainted with the keyboard. However, we do not find the way this idea was realized in PacWriter quite adequate.

To begin with, the typing speed that the program offers is far too high not only for beginners but also for some of the more advanced users. Very unluckily, it is not even adjustable.

Secondly, it is very unfortunate that the software does not actually teach to type: it does not prompt small users to put their fingers in the right typing position on the keyboard. Thus, they can simply work with one or two fingers or, even worse, hit the keyboard with the palm to be sure to push the right button and save the characters from ghosts.

Finally, the design of the game and the audio effects and music it is supplied with seem a bit old-fashioned. They reminded us of good old Dendy and SEGA Playstation games, with their rough and simple graphics and squeaky noises.

So, despite a good aim, the game isn't worth the candle.