PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 19 of 19

...and with this entry, Math Rescue is complete.

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Level 15: The Dark Cave

In the final level of the game, you're going to be going through a ton of warps in order to get to where you need to go. However, if you can memorize where some of the numbers are, you can cut down on the backtracking in such a way that said backtracking will be reduced...assuming you're collecting all the numbers in order.

When you beat this level, you'll get the ending for Episode 3 as well as the entire game.

Whew! You've returned the numbers to their rightful places and captured a Gruzzle! It is a touching moment when the Gruzzle, Zorja, recognizes Benny as a long lost cousin.

Benny explains to the young Zorja that Gruzzles were not always pets and convinces her to choose freedom over the Glixerians.

With Benny translating, you invite all Gruzzles to come and live forever on planet Earth. In doing so, you have succeeded, not only in saving Earth's numbers for good, but in providing the gardeners on Earth with built-in slug control. The Gruzzles decide to move from the purple slime planet to the muckless, blue planet of Earth.

Best of all, your mother, who has been locked in the bathroom this whole time comes out into the living room. She is so happy to have the numbers back on her paycheck that she order pizza for everyone. In California, the highway patrol is so relieved that for a whole day, the officers give out doughnuts instead of traffic tickets.

For the Glixerians on Glixer II, however, things aren't so sunny. They fling stink mud at the backs of departing Gruzzles. Then things get out of hand and they begin throwing stick mud at each other. Soon the whole planet reeks of skunk!

But the Glixerians are not finished with the planet Earth! Watch for more episodes in the upcoming Gruzzle Puzzles.

Sadly, Gruzzle Puzzles never came out. But, hey, at least you've beaten Math Rescue!

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 18 of 19

The Asteroid Belt can be a little tricky for younger gamers, but thankfully you can climb up or down on the asteroids if you need to look up or down.

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Level 13: The Asteroid Belt

You're going to be jumping around in this level...a lot. If you know what you're doing, you can get all the Gruzzles to fall all the way to the bottom of the level and never have to deal with them again. If you're wondering where that is, it's slightly below the exit door. 

You can climb up and down on the asteroid platforms, and that can help you look up and down if you need to. 

Level 14: Exploring the Caves

Compared to The Asteroid Belt, this level is much more pleasant.

There is a warp before the "8" and "9" near the start.

If you don't find something leaping into the center of the underside of an arch near the start and moving around, try leaping into an arch from the side. You'll find a warp for your efforts.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 17 of 19

In this entry, the levels start getting a little more frustrating...but thankfully, not too much.

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Level 11: Inside the Gruzzles' Spaceship

If you pick up all the numbers in the proper order, you'll hit all the warps and you'll hit all the trucks in the order you need to hit them in (for the most part).

Level 12: The Space Maze

Accurate level name is accurate.

Hitting all of the warps is fun. One seems to lead to a dead end, but if you leap into the wall there, you'll see more of the level. You'll eventually be warped back to the start, so if you missed anything on the drop at the beginning, you can go for it again.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 16 of 19

Time to make some more progress in Episode 3...and this is where the level design starts getting messy again.

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Level 8: Lava Castle

You'll get bonus points off a green truck at the start. There is also a ceiling to jump through for a secret area left of the start.

Level 9: Return to Space

Yep, it's back to platforming and maze-like level design again. I want to say it's not too bad, but it's too easy to hit the wrong number and there are Gruzzles everywhere.

Level 10: Space Attack!

Be careful on the pipe platforms, as you can accidentally drop through them by pressing Down on the arrow keys.

Follow the pipes when you see all the "Danger" signs, so you don't accidentally take a leap (or drop) of faith for the "9".

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 15 of 19

The lava is back, and so is all of the platforming that comes with it.

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Level 5: Blueberry Boardwalk

You'll need to leap through the wall next to the exit to find the second set of numbers. Thankfully, the whole first set is there in the way towards the exit from the start.

Watch for openings in the walls if you need to find a way to continue.

Level 6: Caramel City

Just below the start, you can leap into the wall at the far-left and be taken into a secret area.

Also, how dare they put the 7 before the 6. Why.

Level 7: Lava Land

The numbers are all over the place here, so keep that in mind in case you're getting that number sequence bonus.

There are two warps, both in the lower corners, and they lead to various items.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 14 of 19

We end up doing another two levels here because I can't keep track of which numbers I've already gotten very well. Ah, well.

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Level 3: Sweet Secrets

I'm finding a three when I don't need a three because I already hit a three and I can't even remember that I hit a three. Go figure.

Be sure to jump into the walls if they're thick enough; the one that is leads to another room if you do. You also have a couple of warps; make sure you enter them all.

Level 4: Dessert Delight

Compared to the slightly confusing layout of the previous level, this one is a bit more linear. The door is at the upper-left corner of the level. Thankfully, there are no secret areas.

Also, I just realized that some of the platforms are made out of gummy bears.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 13 of 19

I didn't look at the story for this episode, so I put it at the beginning here. Anyway, here's Episode 3.

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Your butterfly friend, Benny, warned you that the Gruzzles would return, and sure enough...

The very next day, California Highway Patrol officers are thrown into a panic when, once again, the numbers vanish off the speed limit signs across the state.

Level 1: Candy Land

The level design here is pretty linear, with some warps thrown in. Given that this place has three whole sets of numbers to collect before you can get the key for the next level, that's a good way to start the episode. Be sure to look for a ladder at the bottom of the level, you'll find a "3" there.

Level 2: Rocky Road Way

Be careful here, as it can be pretty easy to grab the wrong number on accident. Also, your platforming skills will really be put to the test, and you'll want to be pinpoint with the marshmallow platforms to ensure you don't overshoot them. Also, to find all the numbers, you'll need to find all the warps.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 12 of 19

...and Episode Two is done! Stay tuned for Episode Three!

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Level 15: Back at the Space Station

Episode Two gives us one more maze-like level with three sets of numbers to collect in order to get the key to the door.

Whatever you do, do not drop down at the right-most part of the stage. That only leads to bottomless pits and frustration. Instead, it's the area to the left of the ladder leading to the "0" that you'll need to drop down from to find everything. This is where you'll find everything else as well as some warps.

Once you beat this level, you'll get to the ending.

As the number-stealers retreat for a second time, you are shocked to hear your butterfly friend suddenly speak. He tells you about Glixer II and the Gruzzles. Most surprisingly, you learn that Benny was once a Gruzzle. He long ago sought refuge on the planet Earth to escape the fate of being a pet to the greedy Glixerians!

The slime he dumps on the Gruzzles, your friend tells you, is stink mud , a common element on Glixer II. Its disgusting aroma, much akin to terrestrial skunk, makes the Gruzzles so ill that they have to zap back to their spaceship to take a bath. Furthermore, your friend warns you that your battle is not yet over. The Gruzzles are sure to return!

Be sure to order the final exciting episode! In episode #3 you journey to Candy Land in order to defeat the Gruzzles once and for all (well, maybe not)!

Don't miss the surprise ending!

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 11 of 19

Next episode: Episode 2 gets finished, but not before we go all over the place among the last few levels to do as much as we can!

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Level 12: Afternoon on Mars

The level makes it feel like I'm jumping from one apartment balcony on a tower to another. The two areas between the lava waterfall are separated by walls, so you'll can't just jump from one half of the level to the other.

Level 13: Pluto - the Cold Planet

After the slope leading downwards into the level, jump into the wall to the left to access the secret area.

Level 14: The Caves of Pluto

Yet another level that has three sets of numbers after having to deal with either one or two! If you want to get them in order, you'll have to go all over the place to do it!

After the first whole set of numbers, you can jump into a wall and find a hidden rope leading downwards inside. There is a number below where that rope is, and it can be easy to miss.

Another hidden wall hides a warp. There will be a number on the other side.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 10 of 19

Our new volcanic adventures take us to Mars...and Episode 2 is nearing completion.

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Level 9: Living By the Volcano

You'll need to hit all three warps in order to find all the secrets here. At least getting all of the numbers here isn't that hard.

Level 10: Dangerous Terrain

Well, they weren't lying about the level name. It's also very maze-like over here, and you'll be looking around if you want to get all the numbers in order. One of the warps takes you to a platform with a "Danger" sign. If you find that area, don't drop down; nothing good will come of it.

Also, you only have one set of numbers to collect here for the key. 

Level 11: Mars

The first four trucks to hit are near the start, while the last two are below the first four.

You'll need to fall to the right through the big wall to the right of the start for a secret area.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 9 of 19

In this entry, we revisit previous level themes as we explore Venus.

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Level 5: Volcanos of Venus

Oh, look, previous level themes.

Love how the smaller numbers are positioned after the larger numbers at the start. There's also numbers everywhere, as you'll need three whole sets of numbers just to get the key for the exit door.

There are three warps here, and you'll need to find them all in order to find all the secret areas.

Level 6: Under The Seas of Venus

We're back underwater! Compared to the last level, this one is pretty pleasant. It's also not as big, either, so finding all the secret areas is here.

Level 7: The Submarines

There is a hidden warp in the wall in the lower-right corner of the level, near the exit.

Level 8: Hidden Ocean Passages

The numbers here are all over the place. You'll have to go back and forth to get some of them in order.

You'll have to go through a wall to enter the vast secret area at the bottom of the level.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 8 of 19

 Man, all these levels are starting to look the same, now that I'm looking at them again...

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Level 2: Gruzzles Invade The Space Station

The second set of numbers at the bottom of the level are all over the place, and you'll have to watch out for the Gruzzles as you go back and forth to get them all in order.

Level 3: Moon Station

The hallways of this level are pretty narrow, so make sure you explore thoroughly so you can use your slimes less often.

Also, I never even explored that big area that you can only access with the warps. Ugh.

Level 4: Outside the Moon Station

There are quite a few warps in this level, and you'll need to use them all to get everything in the level. The warp in the upper-left corner will take you to an area in the middle that cannot be reached any other way.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 7 of 19

In this entry, we start Episode Two, and the maze-like paths of the first level bring this off to a slow start.

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On an outer arm of the Milky Way Galaxy, the planet Glixer II glints purpley in its orbit like a tiny galactic eggplant...

In the Grand Hall of Glixer, the Glixerian Commander sits in eggplanty gloom, attended by one of is captains.

"Captain Escargoto, the pet Gruzzles have become a tentacle-witling bore. How goes the plan to import new pets from Earth?"

"I will send Zorja and Grizz to report, Your Slimyness!"

"Have the Human creasures we chose to honor as our pets yet submitted to their good fortune?"

"No, revered Scum Master, they do not seem overjoyed at their good fortune."

"Have you succeeded in stealing the Humans' numbers and rendering their technology inaccessible to them?"

"We had some problems, Your Scumliness. But we will get right back and try again!"

Back on Planet Earth, you settle down to watch TV when you realize that you can't change the channels.

The number stealers are at it again!

Level 1: Follow the Gruzzles Into Space

From Episode 2 onwards, multiplication and division problems will start showing up. The division word problems will usually mention a large number of something, then list how many of that item are in a container (Glixerians in a UFO, marshmallows in a bag, etc.), which makes them easier to identify. As for the multiplication word problems, they'll usually list how many of an object exist, then list how many people or things interact with that items (i.e., there are 4 theaters, and 6 Gruzzles go to each one). Some of them also mention something being done a certain number of things being done a certain amount of times a day for a certain amount of weeks.

This level is very maze-like, and the Gruzzles are positioned in areas that make it a little harder to get around. Thankfully, all you have to do to find all the secret ares is to touch all the warps.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 6 of 19

Man, that final level took forever. But we did it! Now on to Episode 2...

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Level 14: Spelunking

You'll need to leap off to the left at the top of that tall later to enter that closed-off room with the warp and get the items inside.

Level 15: The Ice Cave

In this level, you'll have three sets of numbers from 0 to 9, and you'll have to collect all three sets to get the key.

Jump through the wall to the right of the exit to find a secret area.

Once again, there's an area without a "Danger" sign that really needs it, and it's left of the start. If you fall into the gap left of the two garbage can lids, you'll fall into a bottomless pit. To enter the secret area near the beginning, you'll need to go through the wall to the left of the ladder at the start.

Love how I missed that sailboat and never went back to get it at the end.

Ending

When you beat Level 15, the first episode ends.

With the help of your mysterious butterfly companion, you have defeated the number stealers for now! But what did they want with Earth's numbers? And are they really gone?

Meanwhile...

On an outer arm of the Milky Way Galaxy, the planet Glixer II glints purpley in its orbit like a tiny galactic eggplant...

In the Grand Hall of Glixer, the Glixerian Commander sits in eggplanty gloom, attended by one of is captains.

"How dare those miserable Gruzzles return before the conquest of Earth is complete?"

"I will send the Gruzzles back to Earth immediately, Your Slimyness!"

Oh, no! The Gruzzles are back! And they're overrunning the space station! Find out why these pesky Gruzzles are stealing numbers!

Don't miss the next exciting episode...

Be sure to order the final exciting episode! In episode #3 you journey to Candy Land in order to defeat the Gruzzles once and for all (well, maybe not)!

Don't miss the surprise ending!

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 5 of 19

We go spelunking in this entry. Also, heads up: the first episode of this ends next time.

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Level 11: Cave of the Ice Worms

Compared to previous levels, everything is a lot more linear. As for that secret area leading to all those items and garbage can lids, it's directly below the start. Just go through that wall on the right hand side.

Level 12: The Crystal Cave (Where's Milo?)

Shout-out to the obvious Crystal Caves reference.

If you're looking for the secret area, it's to the right of the area with the truck at the bottom of the level.

Level 13: Phosphorescent Cave

Watch out in the lower-left corner of the level. That drop off past the small platform to the side is a bottomless pit, and the game doesn't provide a danger sign telling you that it is indeed a dangerous pit. Boo!

There's also a secret area to the left of where you start. It's the only one in the level, and it's easy to miss.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 4 of 19

In this entry, we continue our volcanic exploration before entering some caves.

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Level 8: Red Hot Volcano

The door out of the level is just to the right of where you start. Make sure that you find all of the warps so you can easily find everything that the level has to hunt down.

Level 9: The Volcano In Spring

Compared to all the other levels that we've been in, the trucks are all in one place: the place all the way to the right of where you start where you can warp. The trucks can be taken care of from bottom to top.

The second "6" is near the lower-right warp, away from the other numbers that come after it.

Level 10: Climbing The Volcano

Be careful where you're going in this level, as you'll have to go out of your way to get some of the numbers and a few of the numbers will be in your way as you're trying to get from one part of the level to another.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 3 of 19

Once you get past the underwater levels, the graphics start getting a little more varied.

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Level 5: Tricky Secret Entrance (Down)

You'll need to press Down somewhere on the floor at the top of the level where you start to get down to the rest of the level. That coral you can climb on can be a little hard to notice if you're not paying attention.

So that's the tricky secret entrance the game was talking about.

Level 6: The Volcano

Oh, hey, a new background! Be careful where you are going, because you will be moving up and down quite a bit in this level just to get to all of the numbers. 

Level 7: The Lava Fall

Compared to the last level, it's easier to tell where you are here. 

There is a secret area with a warp above the exit; just enter that walled-off area from the left through the opening.

Keep the warp in the upper-right corner of the level in mind, as you'll need to go through it to get all the numbers in order at one point.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 2 of 19

Now that we've covered all the bases on how to do things in the game, let's explore some more levels.

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Level 2: Find the Secret Passage

Be careful at the start of the level if you want the "0-9 in order" bonus points, especially if you're going for the trucks. The second truck will be a little bit lower than the third.

Other ways of knowing something can be a subtraction problem is the mentioning of things leaving or being removed. This sometimes happens in the subtraction problems. As for addition problems, if someone is collecting multiples of the same kind of item, you can tell that the numbers are going to be added up. 

It's a good thing that you have the choice of replaying a level after you finish it, as it can allow you to look for all the secret areas. Be sure to check the walls on the way to the exit door. Not only will you find a few of the numbers, but you'll find secret areas that lead to warp panels.

Level 3: More Undersea Secret Passages

There's a secret area right under the start. Just jump into the left side of the wall underneath where you start to find it.

Compared to the first two levels, this is where you'll start jumping a lot. Don't forget that the Gruzzles can jump just to get to you, too!

In addition to jumping on the submarines, you can also climb down off of them, too.

Also, using the numerical pad for the bonus round rules.

Level 4: Neptune's World

At this point in the game, you'll need to be ready to jump over Gruzzles, even though they can also jump. It's better than running out of slime often, and you'll have more than enough slime for the later levels. The points are tempting, but the Gruzzles do get more annoying when they keep coming back.

Also, you'll be going back and forth if you're going to go from 0 to 9 twice. Once again, jumping over Gruzzles whenever you can definitely helps with saving slime.

PrinceWatercress plays Math Rescue - Part 1 of 19

Since I've already played Word Rescue, it only made sense to play the sequel.

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As soon as you start the game, you'll be able to put in your name (eight letters max), then you'll be able to choose between the boy and the girl as the character that you'll play as. You'll then choose between Easy, Medium and Hard for your difficulty, then choose what kind of math problems you'll get. Multiplication and division don't show up until Episode 2. You'll then choose how much of your math problems will be word problems, or you can choose to skip the math problems altogether.

You'll then get the story. A bone-chilling crisis has struck the world! Reports are pouring in from all corners of the globe: missing numbers! Numbers were missing from speed limit signs and the frantic highway patrolmen couldn't stop speeders. On Wall Street, stock brokers were throwing up their hands in despair. The Dow Jones wasn't down, and it's wasn't up, it was gone!

Your own mother has closed herself in the bathroom and won't come out because her paycheck is inexplicably blank. You start to call your best friend, but the buttons on your phone are blank, and you can't remember your friend's number. Where will it end?!

Glancing out the window, you suddenly freeze with horror. A creature that looks like a giant nose with arms is standing in your driveway! It's stealing the numbers off your street address and loading them into a robot controlled garbage truck! Speechless with shock and rage, you point a quivering finger...

Before you can say "mystic intervention," a huge butterfly appears in the air and dumps a bucket of slime on the nose. In a flash, the nose disappears! You have discovered the secret to stopping the number stealers!

Grabbing a nearby garbage can lid for protection, and hoping the butterfly will continue to help you, tou embark on your mission to recover the stolen numbers and outwit the mysterious aliens. Yes, the fate of the world as we know it is in your hands!

Left and Right let you move left and right. Up and Down lets you climb ladders, and you can jump or climb up with Up or the Alt key. Space and Ctrl let you slime enemies in front of you, and you can use + and - to speed up and slow down the game, respectively. S toggles the sound, H brings up the help menu, Esc brings up the main menu, and Q lets you quit the game. 

The object of the game is to reunite the numbers with their answers. You do this by jumping up and bumping a number icon. You will then get a math problem. Jump up under the numbers to input the digits for the answer from left to right. Answering questions correctly will give you more slime as well as reveal part of a picture of a key to the door leading to the next level. When you have the full key, find the door and press Up or Alt in front of it to enter the next level. Answering questions incorrectly will cause an extra Gruzzle to appear, which you'll have to avoid or slime.

There will also be a math problem at the bottom center of the screen. Finding the garbage trucking with the answer to that math problem and touching it will net you points. If you touch one with the wrong number, you'll lose a garbage can lid.

There are also secret bonus points that you can get in the form of various items such as watermelons, sailboats, crayons and more. Pick up toys and foods for points. You'll also find garbage can lids, which will act as extra hit points against the Gruzzles. You can carry up to 20 garbage can lids, and you'll lose one whenever a Gruzzle touches you. If you have no lids when a Gruzzle touches you, or if you fall into a bottomless pit, you'll have to replay the level from scratch. Thankfully, you have infinite lives.

When you see a Gruzzle, press Space or Ctrl to point the Gruzzle out to Benny so he can slime them, assuming you have any slime. If you have no slime, or if there is no Gruzzle in your direction, Benny will just appear and shrug before disappearing again. Keep answering math problems correctly to get more slime.

On Easy, you'll need to answer ten math problems before getting the key to the door to the next level. You'll get a slime for every problem you solve, and Gruzzles will not be very good at chasing you. Gruzzles will re-spawn on this difficulty. Medium is much like Easy, except you must complete all twenty math problems and Gruzzles do not re-spawn when slimed, and Gruzzles will be a little bit smarter. Hard is much like Medium, except you get a slime for every two problems solved, and garbage can lids come into play. The Gruzzles will be at their smartest, and unlike on Medium, they will re-spawn after being slimed.

There are secret passages throughout the levels. Be ready to look around and explore the level to find them.

Sadly, Gruzzle Puzzles and Invaders From Glixer were never released.

Level 1: You Follow the Gruzzles Undersea

If you collect all ten numbers from 0 to 9, you'll get bonus points for collecting them in order. 

Watch out for "Danger" signs, as they usually indicate that bottomless pits are nearby. If you fall into a bottomless pit, you're restarting 

For word problems, words and phrases such as "the sum of" or "altogether" indicate addition problems. "How many are left?" or "How many did you lose?" indicate subtraction. 

White panels with the word "warp" on them will warp you to other areas. You'll need to use these panels to find everything.

After every level is a bonus round. You'll have 30 seconds to get as many math problems correct as you can. You'll always get one type of math problem (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), which makes things a little easier. The more you correctly solve, the more garbage can lids and slimes you'll be able to get. You'll get one slime for every four and one lid for every eight, and unlike Word Rescue, you can carry a lot more slimes.