Thomas & Friends: Trouble on the Tracks
Encyclopedia
Thomas & Friends: Trouble on the Tracks is an educational adventure
computer game developed by Mind's Eye Productions
and published by Hasbro Interactive
for Windows
. It was released in 2000
and is based on the Thomas and Friends television series. The game features new voices provided by show narrator Michael Angelis
as well features music tracks from the first and second series of the show and some original tracks. The game is similar to the previous one, Thomas & Friends: The Great Festival Adventure
.
asks James
to fetch some more. However on his way, James has an accident by coming off the tracks on a tight bend. The Fat Controller sends Harold
to find James with the help of Tiger Moth to guide him into tracking him down. The Fat Controller then asks one of the Horrid Lorries to collect coal for the engines from the mines. He then sends Thomas
to fetch the breakdown train to pick up James but along the way, the gears on it fall apart from the bumpy track so once it gets fixed James is then put back on the track and pushed back to the sheds by Thomas. Once there, the engines help the Fat Controller in finding a new whistle for James. After, he then sends Thomas to collect the goods train from the Docks which contains new parts for James which Cranky loads into the Troublesome Trucks. Percy
is then sent to fetch a new lamp for James which after all the parts have been collected, James is then fixed and painted. After he's been filled with water and coal, James then collects his coaches and sets off to work.
. Each with a different goal to help the player learn new skills or solve puzzles. The player can choose to play any of them in order of the story or in no particular order. The mini-games are as follow:
Each mini-game has 3 sets of difficulty to choose as well the player can interact with the surroundings. Once each game is completed at least once, the player is awarded with a certificate saying they've completed that particular game.
Included as an extra feature, the player can print pictures of the characters, mini-games and certificates to hang on their wall or color-in versions. Additionally the images of the characters and mini-games can be played as puzzles in-game.
gave the game 3 out of 5 stars praising the sounds, background music and voice overs however stating the gameplay is short although that it would appeal more to younger players and fans.
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
computer game developed by Mind's Eye Productions
Mind's Eye Productions
Mind's Eye Productions is a video game developer based out of the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1995.In 2005, Mind's Eye was acquired by Disney.-Games developed:-External links:* from MobyGames* from GameSpot* from IGN...
and published by Hasbro Interactive
Hasbro Interactive
Hasbro Interactive was an American video game production and publishing subsidiary of Hasbro, the large game and toy company.Hasbro Interactive was formed late in 1995 in order to compete in the computer and video game arena. Several Hasbro properties, such as Monopoly and Scrabble, had already...
for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. It was released in 2000
2000 in video gaming
-Events:* May 11–13 — 6th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo ; the 3rd annual Game Critics Awards for the Best of E³* June 26 — International Game Developers Association renamed from Computer Game Developers Association...
and is based on the Thomas and Friends television series. The game features new voices provided by show narrator Michael Angelis
Michael Angelis
Michael Angelis is an English actor and voice actor.Michael Angelis was one of the stars of the famous 1982 BBC drama serial Boys from the Black Stuff and another Alan Bleasedale drama G.B.H.. He also starred in comedies such as Luv and The Liver Birds, in which he appeared between series 5 and 9...
as well features music tracks from the first and second series of the show and some original tracks. The game is similar to the previous one, Thomas & Friends: The Great Festival Adventure
Thomas & Friends: The Great Festival Adventure
Thomas & Friends: The Great Festival Adventure is an educational action computer game developed by Mind's Eye Productions and published by Hasbro Interactive for Windows. It was released in 1999 and is based on the Thomas and Friends television series...
.
Synopsis
The coal stock for the engines at the sheds is low so the Fat ControllerThe Fat Controller
The Fat Controller is the head of the railway in The Railway Series of books written by the Rev. W. V. Awdry. In the first two books in the series he is known as The Fat Director...
asks James
James the Red Engine
James the Red Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic tender locomotive from The Railway Series children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off TV series Thomas and Friends. James is a mixed-traffic engine, which means he is just as capable of pulling coaches as trucks...
to fetch some more. However on his way, James has an accident by coming off the tracks on a tight bend. The Fat Controller sends Harold
Harold the Helicopter
Harold the Helicopter is a character in the Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry and Christopher Awdry and the television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends....
to find James with the help of Tiger Moth to guide him into tracking him down. The Fat Controller then asks one of the Horrid Lorries to collect coal for the engines from the mines. He then sends Thomas
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
to fetch the breakdown train to pick up James but along the way, the gears on it fall apart from the bumpy track so once it gets fixed James is then put back on the track and pushed back to the sheds by Thomas. Once there, the engines help the Fat Controller in finding a new whistle for James. After, he then sends Thomas to collect the goods train from the Docks which contains new parts for James which Cranky loads into the Troublesome Trucks. Percy
Percy the Small Engine
Percy the Small Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic steam engine from The Railway Series of children's books written by the Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry...
is then sent to fetch a new lamp for James which after all the parts have been collected, James is then fixed and painted. After he's been filled with water and coal, James then collects his coaches and sets off to work.
Gameplay
The game consists of 8 mini-games around the island of SodorSodor (fictional island)
Sodor is a fictional island in the Irish Sea used as the setting for The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry, and later used in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends television series.-Inspiration and creation:...
. Each with a different goal to help the player learn new skills or solve puzzles. The player can choose to play any of them in order of the story or in no particular order. The mini-games are as follow:
- Control Harold as you navigate over Sodor in finding James with Tiger Moth to help guide the player in the direction.
- Move the Horrid Lorry to collect coal from the conveyor belts whilst dodging the mining equipment.
- Place the fallen gears in the right order on the breakdown train.
- Match the whistle according to the engine they belong to.
- Choose the right sized containers to put into each Troublesome Truck and not to overload it.
- Place the train lamps onto the right shelves.
- Fix, paint and replace the broken parts with new ones on James.
- Fill James with water, coal and adjust his controls in the right order.
Each mini-game has 3 sets of difficulty to choose as well the player can interact with the surroundings. Once each game is completed at least once, the player is awarded with a certificate saying they've completed that particular game.
Included as an extra feature, the player can print pictures of the characters, mini-games and certificates to hang on their wall or color-in versions. Additionally the images of the characters and mini-games can be played as puzzles in-game.
Reception
AllgameAllgame
Allgame is a commercial database of information about arcade games, video games and console manufacturers.Allgame is owned by All Media Guide, along with Allmusic and Allmovie....
gave the game 3 out of 5 stars praising the sounds, background music and voice overs however stating the gameplay is short although that it would appeal more to younger players and fans.
External links
- Thomas & Friends: Trouble on the Tracks at GameFAQsGameFAQsGameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by CBS Interactive. The site has a database of video game information, cheat codes, reviews, game saves,...