C&VG


Cholo
By Firebird
Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #68

Cholo

If you're a regular C&VG reader you'll remember we printed a Cholo Players Guide back in March. Well, the game has now arrived, a glossy slick package set in a world ravaged by nuclear holocaust.

If you didn't see the guide - shame on you - here's a brief rundown of the game.

Following the nuclear war, mankind has taken to living in bunkers, safe beneath the scarred and tortured surface of the world. Generations have grown used to this subterranean world, afraid to leave their twilight existence and set foot on the surface. But it is not the fear of radiation that keeps them cowed.

Cholo

Robots, self-perpetuating, repairing themselves and acting on their own pre-programmed artificial intelligence, have taken control of the surface. Originally they were designed to repair, re-build, protect their designated area, making it eventually fit for recolonization.

But the robots have turned rogue and are keeping their human charges trapped below. You, as one of the trapped people, spend your day listening to reports from the surface. It dawns on you that there could be a chance of freedom.

You have control over one droid on the surface - known as Rizzo the RAT. This can be used to transmit information and pictures from the surface back to the operator. Using this robot it is possible to recruit others to the freedom cause.

Rizzo is armed with a cannon. By repeatedly firing at other droids he can stun them.

If he then bumps into the droid it will enable you to access the droid's password. Enter the code correctly and it is possible to gain control over the robot.

Get the idea? By using the droids you can explore Cholo City. The droids all have different skills and you'll find these outlined in the players guide.

The screen of Cholo is divided into three - a screen showing "live" pictures from the surface, another showing messages to and from the droids etc.

The game comes with a novella to read before you can get the most out of the game and an all-important map of the city.

A lot of the game's fun rests on the exploration of the city. This I found quite absorbing for a while. The vector graphics are quite nice but I did find them a little confusing at times.

Personally I would have liked a little more action to spice up the game. But if you're in to games which can go on for hours, Cholo could satisfy you. The only other gripe I have is that it's a little pricey.