Home Computing Weekly


Cave Fighter

Author: A.W.
Publisher: Bubble Bus
Machine: Commodore Vic 20

 
Published in Home Computing Weekly #116

This is yet another conversion of a C64 game by this company. In this case I am particularly pleased since it is for the now defunct VIC. This game is' effectively a platform-type game where you must travel down a network of caves. You make your way by climbing ropes and jumping chasms. The caves are inhabited by nasties which, of course, kill you. You can shoot these creatures but they will reappear.

Since this game runs on an unexpanded VIC, some fiddles must be used. The caves are kept on tape and loaded as required. The cave actually in memory is displayed in sections, each appearing as you move off screen. The graphics are really very good with the aliens appearing as soft sprites with sprite background priorities. I can't understand why only now programmers are using soft sprites on the VIC to any extent. I can only recall one other game which really used this approach and that appeared about two years ago!

The control of this game is a little eccentric with the fire button determining how high you jump - the longer you hold it down, the higher you jump. Another oddity is that you can walk in mid-air!

Overall I didn't really like the feel of play in this game. Rather than experiencing the challenge of a testing game, I was filled with irritation. Sadly, this game is less effective than the C64 original. In view of the material appearing for the VIC on the budget labels, I consider this game a little overpriced.

A.W.

Other Commodore Vic 20 Game Reviews By A.W.


  • Wacky Waiters Front Cover
    Wacky Waiters
  • Galactic Abductors Front Cover
    Galactic Abductors
  • Villain Front Cover
    Villain
  • Frantic Front Cover
    Frantic
  • Fourth Encounter Front Cover
    Fourth Encounter
  • Bongo Front Cover
    Bongo
  • Plague & Alien Demon Front Cover
    Plague & Alien Demon
  • Martian Raider Front Cover
    Martian Raider
  • Jackpot Front Cover
    Jackpot
  • Multisound Synthesizer Front Cover
    Multisound Synthesizer