Previous Next

It's always refreshing when you come across a game that's a little 'different' and Gremlin's Deflektor is certainly that. The press release says: "No heroes. No foes. Only pure skill and technology." And who am I to disagree with that?

In each of the game's 60 screens there is a laser transmitter and receiver. The object of the game is to guide the laser beam around each screen until it makes contact with the receiver.

At the start of each level the screen contains a number of bombs which disappear in a puff of smoke when hit by the beam of smoke when hit by the beam. By manipulating the rotating mirrors, and using the various walls, transporters, and lenses, you must first destroy all the bombs on the screen, before being able to reach the receiver.

When the last bomb bites the dust, a section of all, or some other blockage disappears, opening up a clear path along which the beam can now travel to the receiver.

Whenever the beam is reflected directly back into the laser, the system starts to overload, giving you precious few seconds to avoid disaster, by deflecting the beam elsewhere. Other hazards include mines which are detonated by continuous or repeated exposure to the beam, and annoying, blob-like aliens, who have a nasty habit of meddling with mirrors at the worst possible moment.

Many levels have maze-like sections and the walls also reflect the beam, and often play an important part in its journey.

With practice and demo modes, and enough levels to keep you going for weeks, Deflektor is well worth a look if you're after an arcade game that'll exercise the brain cells as well as test your dexterity.