1st October 1984
For too long the air at computer clubs has been filled with the insane rantings of the owners of certain other (48K) micros about the Beeb's capacity to play Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy. Well now, we have at least a first layer of defence in the form of Blagger.
The scene is set with a red-haired robber, a 'blagger', working his way though a number of different shops, collecting five keys in each (left in increasingly awkward corners) and taking them to a safe. At the end of 20 screens - if he ever gets that far! - he finally escapes.
The game uses the top half of a Mode 2 screen to show the shop interiors, which contain an assortment of platforms, walls, conveyors and disappearing ledgers. Each screen is a complex arrangement of these features and a good deal of thought is required to work out a successful route. At each level, a number of well-animated sprites parade up and down or to and fro. These are fatal to the touch, as are the bushes which are dotted around the place. The bottom half of the screen shows your score, level, number of men, etc.
The sound effects are fairly basic and can't be turned off, but they didn't prove too grating during play.
A rather more annoying oversight is the lack of an option to start the game at any level. I suppose this should mean that the game will last longer before being solved, but it is aggravating to have to complete the easy levels on each attempt before getting to the one you're working on. A practice mode would be very useful.
Nevertheless, Blagger is an entertaining game with smoothly animated graphics and plenty of variety. I confess to not having proceeded very far, but then there's no history of blagging in the family and I've been trying to go straight, honest guv!
Other Acorn Electron Game Reviews By Simon Williams
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