C&VG


Equaliser Plus Terminator
By The Power House
Commodore 64

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #67

Equaliser Plus Terminator

Who's a little sneaky software house, then? Getting a version of Wonder Boy, called Equaliser that arcade oddity, out before the official version hits the shelves. Still, at just £1.99, it's a great debut for a new budget label, Powerhouse.

Equaliser has been written for Powerhouse by Gavin Raeburn who is obviously into arcade games in a big way 'cos he says one of his new projects will be a version of Tony Takoushi's fave game I, Robot.

Still, back to Equaliser, which isn't anything to do with that awful TV show of the same name. In fact, the star of this computer version is a lot younger than the pensioner who wobbles around the streets of New York on TV. In fact, his favourite streetwear appears to be an oversized nappy. But enough ot these fashion notes, on with the game. Which is pretty nifty really.

Terminator

It's a scrolling platform style of game with a nice driving soundtrack and pretty graphics. Basically, you have to guide the Equaliser through a series of scenarios, fighting off nasties and leaping chasms, all in search of your captured girlfriend.

You can zap the nasties - but don't let them gang up on you - and watch out for the flying birds who drop rocks in later screens.

Reminded me a bit of Ghosts 'N Goblins without the horror element. Equaliser is a really playable game, great value at this price.

Which can't really be said of Gavin's other offering Terminator. This is a Uridium clone without the slickness of the C&VG game of the year. Once again, it's a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up with a Scramble-type landscapes. The alien nasties are pretty fast-moving - which is why you need the joystick response to be a bit faster than it is. This really spoils what could be a nice cheapo blaster.

Again, graphics and sound are good and there are some Uridium-style frills - like the fruit-machine type sub-game and the scrolling intro screens.

Equaliser is the best of these two offerings by far. Well worth a couple of quid of anyone's money. And you get an audio track after the games too - some synthesised house music. Turn down the computer and groove along to these sounds instead!