Game: Marine Park Empire

Build your very own marine zoo

If your kids enjoyed the Free Willy movie series then they’ll doubtless be confused by a game like Marine Park Empire.

The aim here is to build a giant marine-life centre, housing every imaginable sea creature ­from barely-sentient crustaceans to all-too-aware whales and, um, giraffes (more on that anon)­ trapped in tanks in order that the viewing public may gawp at them close up.

Still, if your children do have an urge to do this, we guess it’s probably best that they do so virtually.

Morality aside, Marine Park Empire is actually a very good simulation game, affording an enormous degree of control over every single aspect of building and running a subaquatic zoo.

Animals must be cared for, trained, healed and, of course, displayed for profit. It’s all depicted in 3D graphics that are very good. However, do note that it is a complex simulation, rather than a simplistic one ­so not a disc for very young children.

As well as sea-life and watery worlds, Marine Park Empire includes animals and enclosures from sister product Zoo Empire ­hence the giraffes, among other land animals ­ which further extends the possibilities. So, if you or your children are comfortable with the idea of zookeeping, this game is recommended.