Numbers Recovered is the sequel to Numbers Uncover, which featured telling time, measuring and estimating, counting, and money. In this new program, students K-3 will practice working with data graphs, number place values, compare amounts with "less than" and "greater than" symbols and work with different equivalent expressions of numbers.

There are two modes of play, mystery and practice. The mystery mode is very loosely tied to a "mystery" of missing numbers, wherein students will have to answer correctly a certain number of problems from the four different activities. This is basically the teacher option mode, in that teachers can choose which activities to use, the number of problems students will have to answer correctly and the difficulty level. The practice mode allows students to choose any activity in any order, and also to choose the difficulty level at any time.

The four activities are: Sorting Sleuths, Puzzling Place Values, Graphing Gumshoes, and Comparison Capers. Sorting Sleuths requires students to choose the correct number representation one of three sorting tubs. These representations can range from equations, money, numbers, pictures and tally marks. Puzzling Place Values has to do with place values, and features a gumball machine that drops and converts numbers from one place value to another, in order to come up with the correct number at the bottom of the machine. Graphing Gumshoes has students either answer questions about quantities based on the graph, or to manipulate the graph to answer the question. Comparison Capers demonstrates comparisons between number representations using "greater than" and "less than".

A "Counter" utility is also offered, which uses drag and drop cube manipulatives similar to ones used in schools across America. While this can be helpful, the manner in which it is used in this program seems a little clunky, as students will not be able to still see the original problem while working with the manipulatives, and probably can work out the problem faster writing it down on paper, providing they know how to add and subtract in columns.

Numbers Recovered is a nicely done math educational program for early elementary children. The four activities cover important math concepts in an entertaining manner reminiscent of the Blaster series from Davidson and Knowledge Adventure. While the mystery story line could have been stronger or more engaging, the activities themselves are solid and fun to play, too. The difficulty levels are graduated well in their range, but the easiest level still may be a little too difficult for kindergarten, at least in some of the games.
 

Graphics: 8 
The graphics are bright and colorful, and are more attractive than many educational programs for young children.

Sound: 7
There's not really music as such during the activities, but the sound effects are well-done.

Concept: 7 
Nothing new here, but a good presentation nonetheless.

Overall: 7.5
A good choice for schools!