Remove the Nightmare in Maths Nightmare by precious_katuch14 |  |
GAMES ROOM—There are so many easy games to play there. Let’s make buildings go
boom in Destruct-O-Match, snatch tasty neggs (and perhaps a Fish Negg) in Meerca
Chase, pop tons of bubbles in Faerie Bubbles, perhaps give Lord Kass the nasty
blow he deserves in Whack-a-Kass.
And there, in the Hard Games Section, is Maths Nightmare. Not many people dare
play it… especially those infected with math-phobia. Some say it’s difficult,
others say it’s confusing, still others say it’s a torture chamber for brains.
No one ever makes it out alive…
Now, stop right there! You know, this game isn’t that bad. Yeah, you also think
that either I lost my head or I’m a total math geek. I’m neither, thank you
very much. In fact, I’m here to tell you that with a little bit of practice
and a handful of pointers, tricks and tips, you can finally say that this game
is no nightmare. No, my trophy is not controlling my mind! I’m perfectly sane
and safe to be around. 12 x 3 =36! See? Told you I’m sane.
Hold it! Something tells me that some of you guys out there aren’t familiar
with this game. OK, here’s a short summary of the game.
Imiya the Aisha is sleeping soundly, with not a single worry in her head. Unfortunately,
her sweet dreams suddenly turn sour as math equation-carrying Babaas invade
Dreamland. These equations are blocking the fences they have to jump over. Solve
these equations fast and keep Imiya sleeping…as in, add, subtract, multiply
and divide before the Babaas reach the Aisha and disturb her. You have three
lives, and one life is lost each time a Babaa touches Imiya. The game ends once
you lose all three. Did I mention that sometimes, mutant Babaas come out along
with the regular ones. The mutants often hold more challenging equations.
Click on any equation you want to solve, and key in the answer using the number
keys on the keyboard, and then hit the Enter button. You get two points for
every right answer, but when you put in the wrong answer, you just type another
one.
You can play on any of 5 levels: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division,
and random. Random is when all the four kinds of equations are mixed together,
and is more confusing than the first four levels. However, this is also the
level that gives the most points. When you play on addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division mode, your score can be multiplied by 1, doubled, tripled, or quadrupled
(multiplied by 4, in case you didn’t know), respectively. But on random mode,
5 is multiplied to your score. That’s why trophy aspirants prefer playing on
random mode. If you don’t want a trophy or a good score right now, it’s best
to start with an easier mode, and work your way up.
And now that you have been oriented (or reoriented) about the game, I shall
begin enumerating some good pointers, tricks and tips for trophy aspirants,
high-score beaters, beginners, or just about anyone who wants to try Maths Nightmare.
1) Keep a “backup brain”, also known as the handy pocket calculator. When you
find a really hard equation that you have to solve pronto, this comes in and
saves you the trouble of racking your brain and realizing that Imiya has been
disturbed before you could enter your answer. But of course, you have to be
quick. This game entails a lot of speed.
2) Speaking of speed, always try picking up the pace. After solving an equation,
don’t wait for the Babaa to jump and disappear before starting the next one.
One should preferably begin another equation right after finishing one. Just
click on the next Babaa and get your fingers moving!
3) A word for beginners or those who are scared of math: solve easier questions
first before the harder ones. But when you’re a trophy aspirant and your fingers
are faster than a speeding Lupe who just smelled a chocolate Chia, you can skip
this rule. And of course, it’s often better to solve equations that are closer
to Imiya. This “solve easy ones first” pointer applies more to the earlier rounds,
where Babaas aren’t as fast moving or aren’t carrying complicated cranium-cracking
equations.
4) Keep an eye out for the Neopets who’ll be popping up every now and then
to compliment your work. They neither give extra points nor solve everything
for you, but they give you a nice boost of self-esteem. Even when you lose a
life, they don’t go “You’re such a loser!” or “This isn’t your game, buster!”.
Those Neopets only tell you to keep trying and keep going. Talk about optimism!
5) Stop dreaming and start tapping the keyboard! You want your score to be
on the high-score table? You want that attractive trophy on your lookup? You
even want your inbox to be flooded with people who need your help in this game?
Go for it! You have three chances per day to send your score, right? Carpe Diem!
Seize the day, and never give up! Anyone can get a trophy at this game, even
if you’re a total bust in math!
6) RELAX. Don’t lose your cool during the game. Most Neopians, once they go
nuts over this game, start hitting number keys at random and don’t think anymore.
If you don’t keep your head in this game, you won’t be able to get a good score.
Stay calm, think good thoughts, and quit grinding your teeth! Always put this
into your head—This is only a game, and you always have more chances to get
a trophy. (Kind of contradicts the Carpe Diem phrase, don’t you think?) Before
playing, if possible take a deep breath and flex your fingers. Will yourself
not to lose your head.
That’s it? Yeah, that’s it! Hopefully your perception of Maths Nightmare has
taken a positive spin. Other Neopians who are better at this game maybe have
other strategies either a little or a lot different from mine, but if you are
a beginner in the world of Maths Nightmare, you can follow this one. Happy playing,
good luck, and don’t forget whatever I taught you through my article!
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