Home Computing Weekly


Catacombs
By Anirog
Commodore 16

 
Published in Home Computing Weekly #109

This illustrated adventure places you in search of the formula and ingredients for a lost elixir needed to rid the land of a plague. You are offered a choice of two alter egos: a warrior called Duke or a witch called Oswich.

The screen is split in two. The upper portion gives a view of the location and the lower portion gives textual information. The method of play is quite standard with you entering simple commands and solving various problems. An interactive element is provided with the presence of various elves and a cat.

The first and most irritating aspect of the game to strike you is the lack of sensible responses to your commands. Any unacceptable command elicits the response: That's no good. This means that you don't really know what is unacceptable about your command.

Catacombs

The instructions state that there are clues everywhere in the text and pictures, I didn't find this to be the case. The first screen requires an action before you can go anywhere, although no indication is given anywhere what this action may be. The only way I found it out was by phoning Anirog.

The design of the game is fair with decent multicolour graphics. Some animation is included with doors opening, cats walking and rocks moving.

Whilst I enjoy a testing adventure, I felt that this game was more obscure than intellectually tough. I would have preferred more emphasis on textual descriptions and helpful responses. Overall fair but probably too daunting for newcomers to adventures.

A.W.

Other Commodore 16/64 Game Reviews By A.W.


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  • Timezone Front Cover
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  • Fig Forth Front Cover
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  • Interdictor Pilot Front Cover
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  • Lord Of The Balrogs Front Cover
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  • Paintbox Front Cover
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  • Panorama (H) Front Cover
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