Contraption Maker – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Contraption Maker

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2014

87%

WISE Score

80%

IGDB

The Incredible Machine grows up—Rube Goldberg physics puzzles where cats, trampolines, and hamster motors teach real problem-solving.

Contraption Maker

game

2014

87%

WISE Score

80%

IGDB

The Incredible Machine grows up—Rube Goldberg physics puzzles where cats, trampolines, and hamster motors teach real problem-solving.

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Where to Play

PC/Steam

Screenwise Verdict

This is what educational gaming should look like—genuinely fun, deeply creative, and sneakily teaching physics and problem-solving without feeling like homework. The spiritual successor to The Incredible Machine delivers on its promise: whimsical chain reactions that reward experimentation and persistence.

The 2014 graphics won't blow anyone away, and the PC-only limitation is annoying, but the core gameplay is timeless. Kids who love Minecraft redstone circuits, engineering challenges, or just watching domino videos will eat this up. The level editor and massive community library mean it's got legs beyond the 200 official puzzles.

Zero monetization concerns, wholesome content, and real cognitive benefits make this an easy recommend for parents looking for screen time that actually builds skills. It's not flashy, but it's smart, creative, and genuinely enriching—exactly the kind of game that deserves more attention in a sea of loot-box garbage.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-15, particularly kids who like tinkering, building, and puzzle games. Younger kids (6-7) can enjoy easier levels with help, but the complexity curve favors upper elementary and middle schoolers. High schoolers who loved The Incredible Machine may enjoy it nostalgically, but most will have moved on.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Physics-based puzzle game with whimsical, non-violent mechanics. Features cartoon animals (cats, alligators, hamsters) in humorous Rube Goldberg contraptions. No aggressive content, competitive toxicity, or inappropriate themes. Cooperative multiplayer encourages collaboration. The tone is playful and light throughout.

Imaginative

Core gameplay is pure creative problem-solving—designing elaborate chain reactions with diverse parts (trampolines, motors, animals). Over 1,000 community creations demonstrate strong creative community. Level editor enables unlimited experimentation. Direct spiritual successor to The Incredible Machine, a classic in creative puzzle design. Encourages tinkering, iteration, and 'what if' thinking.

Safe

No in-game purchases, loot boxes, or predatory monetization. Users can interact (sharing contraptions) but no online chat. Single-purchase game with no ongoing spending pressure. Content is entirely appropriate—cartoon physics with no violence, mature themes, or inappropriate content. User-generated content is puzzle-focused, not social/toxic.

Enriching

Teaches genuine problem-solving, physics concepts (gravity, momentum, cause-and-effect), and logical sequencing. Common Sense Education specifically recommends it for 'great problem solving skills' and creativity development. Trial-and-error gameplay builds persistence and analytical thinking. Upper elementary through middle school educational fit confirmed by teacher reviews. IGDB rating of 80 suggests solid execution.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuine STEM learning disguised as fun—kids experiment with physics concepts (momentum, gravity, timing) through trial and error
Level editor and 1,000+ community puzzles mean effectively unlimited content and creative expression
Clean, one-time purchase with zero monetization pressure—no ads, no battle passes, no 'just one more gem' nonsense
Builds persistence and analytical thinking as kids iterate on solutions, learning that failure is part of the design process
Multiplayer encourages collaboration rather than competition—work together to solve increasingly complex contraptions

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What to Watch For

Visuals and interface are 2014-era—not ugly, but won't wow kids used to Fortnite-level polish
Difficulty ramps up significantly in later puzzles; younger kids may need parent support or may bounce off the challenge curve
User-generated content is unmoderated, though the nature of puzzle-sharing makes inappropriate content unlikely
PC-only limits accessibility (no mobile, console, or tablet versions)

Conversation Starters

"What was the trickiest part of that contraption? Walk me through how you figured out the timing."
"If you could add one new part to the game, what would it do? How would it work with the existing pieces?"
"Show me your favorite community puzzle. What makes it clever or interesting?"
"Have you ever built a real Rube Goldberg machine? Want to try making one with stuff around the house?"

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