Tech Reviews -- Tuck Pajama Sam Into Computer Games For Kids

Without question, Pajama Sam is the most charismatic character in computer games.

The star of one of the bestselling educational games of all-time, Pajama Sam is the PJ-clad young explorer who faces and debunks fears in a series of PC- and Macintosh-compatible games from Woodinville-based Humongous Entertainment.

As Sam, he is just another elementary-school kid. But when he gets down to business, he ties his blanket around his neck and becomes Pajama Sam.

In his first adventure, Pajama Sam explored the nether regions of his closet to face down darkness. In his newest adventure, "Pajama Sam 2: Thunder and Lightning Aren't So Frightening," $29.99, Sam is headed for his attic to confront the elements.

The game begins with Sam catching a late-night episode of his favorite TV show - "Pajama Man." Pajama Sam games have an odd and wonderful sense of humor that make them (and most other Humongous titles) irresistible to parents and young children alike.

Here's an example: The television show Sam is watching depicts a battle between three superheroes and two evil villains. The heroes are Captain Gelatin, Milkman and Hero Sandwich, all of whom fit their names. They are battling Earthquaker, an evil-looking character in a three-cornered hat who looks like the guy from the Quaker oats boxes, and Foul Weatherman, a smoggy-looking tornado.

"Stop right there," yells Captain Gelatin.

"Your low-calorie threats do not scare me!" answers Earthquaker as he stomps his foot and causes a crack in the ground.

"Can't stop shaking," blurbs Captain Gelatin, as his pineapple-ring eyes and marshmallow-incrusted body jiggle convulsively. In the background, Milkman and his faithful bovine companion are thrown to the ground as Hero Sandwich falls apart.

This game was made for children ages 3 to 8, but children 25 and older will appreciate some of the humor more than anybody.

Back to the game. . .

Young Sam's television watching ends when lightning startles him outside his window. Most kids would try to live with it, but not Sam. He confronts his fears. Tying his blanket around his neck like Pajama Man's cape, Sam heads up to the attic to find Thunder and Lightning.

Of course, thanks to Sam's imagination, that closet is actually Worldwide Weather, a city in the clouds.

So, armed with nothing more than his imagination, Sam enters Worldwide Weather in search of Thunder and Lightning. Interestingly, players have to solve only a very simple puzzle to find them. As it turns out, meeting Thunder and Lightning is only the beginning of Sam's adventure.

"Pajama Sam 2" is a simplified adventure game that has been stripped down for kids. All you need to do to beat it is click everywhere with your mouse and remember a few key points. It's perfect for young children who are just learning to read and use computers.

Humongous Entertainment did not waste time with giving Pajama Sam million- color, 16-bit, 3D graphics in this game; all of the technological know-how went into writing a fun and compelling story that will keep kids playing and adults laughing.

The game's jokes and puns will make it a more than tolerable experience for parents, and its easy gameplay will keep kids dragging their parents back for more.