Publishers Weekly Review--issue of August 26,1996

Young Riders Wanted: to saddle up for this CD-ROM adventure in the old West. The year is 1861, and players who accept Pony Express orders will be charged with riding to various stations between Missouri and California to deliver important letters and telegrams (like one containing an address by President Lincoln). Kids who can overcome the obstacles and also help defeat the evil plot of a Confederate spy group earn"hero" points toward legendary-rider status.

Similar in concept to the long-popular Oregon Trail from MECC, this program provides an outstanding "you are there" history/social studies experience. At each destination, players make ride preparations and gather information,navigating within a sharply illustrated background.

And at nearly every turn, actors in period dress offer advice, clues and comments via spirited video clips. Clicking on such background objects as newspapers, envelopes, books, portraits and maps triggers pop-up screens of additional historical facts or hints for a successful run.

And perhaps most challenging of all is the 3D horseback simulation. Once they load up with mail, players control the speed and direction of their horses as they fight off bandits and hostile Indians and face difficult conditions (e.g., a blazing sun). The richly layered visuals and quality performances dramatically convey the urgency and intrigue that must have swirled around the country on the eve of the Civil War. And since this generous program includes five different territory rides, the action isn't likely to grow stale any time soon.

Look for McGraw-Hill Home Interactive products( www. mhhi..com)