Physicus
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Short description|1999 educational adventure video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Physicus
| platforms = Windows
| released = 1999
| genre = Adventure, educational
| image = File:Physicus_1999_Windows,_Macintosh_Cover_Art.jpg
| developer = Ruske & Pühretmaier
| publisher = Heureka-Klett, Tivola Publishing
| producer =
| caption =
| modes = Single-player
}}
Physicus: Save the World with Science! is a 1999 educational adventure video game developed by Ruske & Pühretmaier Edutainment and published by Heureka-Klett-Softwareverlag and Tivola Entertainment. It aims to teach players about physics concepts. It is part of a series that includes the chemistry-themed Chemicus and biology-themed sequel{{Cite journal|date=2002-03-01|title=Bioscopia. (Software: focus on science).(and Answer This: Whales and Dolphins! from Tivola Publishing)(Product Announcement)|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-84969897.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104225731/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-84969897.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-04|journal=THE Journal }} Bioscopia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mysterymanor.net/reviewphysicus.htm|title=Mystery Manor Physicus Review|date=2013-01-20|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120050628/http://www.mysterymanor.net/reviewphysicus.htm|archivedate=2013-01-20}} It was the second learning adventure game by Ruske & Pühretmaier after the music-based Opera Fatal. The game's website had a minigame called "PHYSICO DriveIn" that players could download and complete in to get the highscore, which would win them a free copy of a game by the studio.{{Cite web|url=http://www.physikus.de/main.htm|date=2000-06-06|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000606161136/http://www.physikus.de/main.htm|archivedate=2000-06-06|title=Physikus PC-Version Download}} A sequel entitled Physicus: The Return was later released,{{Cite web|url=http://www.klett-verlag.de/heureka/lernadventure/physicus2/set01.htm|date=2004-01-16|access-date=2017-12-23 |title=…und Physik wird zum Abenteuer |lang=de |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040116171801/http://www.klett-verlag.de/heureka/lernadventure/physicus2/set01.htm|archivedate=2004-01-16}} and was remade for the iOS.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKMDBAAAQBAJ&q=geograficus&pg=PA329|title=ECGBL2011-Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Games Based Learning: ECGBL2011|last=Gouscos|first=Dimitris|publisher=Academic Conferences and Publishing International|isbn=9781908272195|language=en}}
Gameplay
Gameplay is similar to Myst, in which players traverse through a series of computer generated static screens. Players can investigate physical locations, manipulate items, and complete puzzles to progress through the game.
The educational content covered four areas: Optics, Mechanics, Acoustics, and Electricity.{{Cite web|url=http://www.physikus.de/main.htm|date=2000-06-06|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000606161136/http://www.physikus.de/main.htm|archivedate=2000-06-06|title=Physikus PC-Version Download}}
Plot
When a meteorite collides with Earth, its planetary rotation ceases causing one hemisphere to be plunged into heat and the other into coldness. The player is tasked with using science to save the planet.
Reception
Tap Repeatedly thought the game was made in the same vein as Myst, and complimented its "charming... lighthearted" design philosophy that effectively taught players in an engaging manner.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tap-repeatedly.com/Reviews/Physicus/Physicus.shtml|title=Four Fat Chicks -- Physicus Review|date=2015-11-20|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120134943/http://www.tap-repeatedly.com/Reviews/Physicus/Physicus.shtml|archivedate=2015-11-20}} Allgame noted that the game's use of the metric system and British accent of the narrator could act as barriers to North American players.{{Cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28772&tab=review|title=Physicus - Review - allgame|date=2014-11-16|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116222954/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28772&tab=review|archivedate=2014-11-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28772|title=Physicus - Overview - allgame|date=2014-11-15|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115090041/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28772|archivedate=2014-11-15}} Adventure Spiele wrote that the game would be able to teach some physics concepts to even the uninitiated.{{Cite web|url=http://www.adventurespiele.net/reviews-req-showcontent-id-151.htm|title=avsn.de Heureka - Physikus 1 - Und Physik wird zum Abenteuer Review|date=2016-03-09|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309081954/http://www.adventurespiele.net/reviews-req-showcontent-id-151.htm|archivedate=2016-03-09}} Quandaryland thought it would be a shame if the game's educational nature turned people off an experience as enjoyable as many non-educational titles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=483|title=Physicus Review by Quandary|date=2006-01-09|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109081618/http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=483|archivedate=2006-01-09}} Adventure Gamers noted the game's potential application within schools.{{Cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/display.php?id=250|title=Adventure Gamers: Physicus|date=2006-01-03|access-date=2017-12-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103201654/http://www.adventuregamers.com/display.php?id=250|archivedate=2006-01-03}}
= Awards and nominations =
- 1999 Padi seal of approval (6 mice rating){{Cite web|url=https://www.mediengewalt.de/spiele/beste-lernspiele-kinder-12-jahre.shtml|title=Beste Lernspiele für Kinder ab 12 Jahre (und andere Altersgruppen)|website=www.mediengewalt.de|access-date=2017-12-24}}
- 2000 Comenius seal{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediengewalt.de/spiele/beste-lernspiele-kinder-12-jahre.shtml|title=Beste Lernspiele für Kinder ab 12 Jahre (und andere Altersgruppen)|website=www.mediengewalt.de|access-date=2017-12-24}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20000606161136/http://www.physikus.de/main.htm Main page]
- {{moby game|id=/physicus-save-the-world-with-science}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101330/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-71681614.html Multimedia Schools review]
Category:Educational video games
Category:Video games developed in Germany