C&VG


Arkanoid

Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Ocean
Machine: Atari ST

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #68

Arkanoid

The battle of the breakout revivals was definitely won by Ocean's Arkanoid, licensed from Taito corporation of Japan. Now this hit coin-op game has been converted to the ST by an enlightened Ocean who, no doubt, hope to cash in their 16-bit chips while breakout games are still all the rave.

The good news for arcade freaks, lucky enough to own an ST, is that Peter Johnson's conversion is absolutely faultless! Every moving element of the game glides across the screen as if floating on air and the superior graphics are identical, in almost every detail, to the original arcade version.

As with previous versions, the game features numerous, cunningly devised, screens made up from normal, 'two-time (two hits to destroy), and metalic bricks that are frustratingly indestructible.

Energy capsules drop down from the wall as you destroy the bricks. These come in seven varieties and should be collected as they have special properties like rewarding extra lives, the ability to shoot the wall, slowing down the energy bolt, and the orange ones open up a section of the wall allowing you to escape to the next level.

Be prepared to become a hermit for a week because you won't be able to put this one down!