Confession time: math in all its forms (algebra, geometry, calculus, trig) was not my strong suit in high school. I had some great teachers, but it was an incomprehensible blur. Algebra has slowly come into focus in adulthood. (Sine, cosine, etc.: still a mystery.) So it was with interest and some hesitation that I decided to check out Dragon Box+.
Dragon Box+ is an interesting approach to learning algebra. They make the claim that “83% of children learn the basics of algebra in an hour,” and that might just be true. The system seeks to “demystify algebra” and make what can be a difficult year or more of knowledge acquisition a fun few hours. In addition, they seem to have a good sense of what they don’t do: teach students how to write equations and tie the intuitive learning back to concrete mathematical concepts.
Here’s how it works: the game is set up with two side of a board. The object is to separate the “prize” from the rest of the elements — the prize should stand alone (just like the cheese). To do that, the unsuspecting player performs algebraic moves, multiplying and dividing to move the other objects to the other side of the game board.
Of course the prize is the infamous x that has taunted high school students for years. The other elements are numbers and other unknowns (you know, y). As you make choices, the system provides you with feedback (nope, every element has to be divided by the same thing). After you’ve played the game (and unlocked the next challenge) the game tells you if you solved it, and if you solved it in the optimum number of moves (in other words, efficiently). What’s more, the moves have fun sound effects.
As you move through the game, the prize and other elements become the abstract letters and numbers we all know and love. 
This is a pretty creative way to teach a topic that is painful for a lot of students. But more importantly, it is a good example of actually teaching within a game. A lot of serious games are simply snazzier versions of old drill handouts. They don’t teach, but rather test knowledge the student has already acquired.
Dragon Box+ excels because it actually builds the knowledge necessary for successful game completion (and successful algebra mastery) as the student plays. And that’s one of the reasons this won best serious game at the International Mobile Gaming Awards. Plus, it is pretty fun.
So, be brave. Give it a try. Maybe you won’t get stuck on Chapter 2, Level 16.