Personal Computer Games


Frenzy

Author: SC
Publisher: Micro Power
Machine: BBC Model B

 
Published in Personal Computer Games #9

Frenzy

Frenzy is closely related to Qix, an old arcade favourite that is, alas, no longer with us - at least not in the arcades I've visited recently.

A large rectangle flashes on to the screen. Your craft is located on the perimeter and within the rectangle a dangerous Lepton snakes to and fro, rebounding off the walls and trying to escape.

As you move your craft into the rectangle it draws a green trail behind it. Your aim is to fence off a part of the rectangle which will then be filled in with a different colour. The Lepton is then confined to the remaining area of the screen. You can destroy it, either by trapping it in the area which is filled in, or by filling in 95% of the rectangle. A sliding scale at the bottom of the screen indicates how much of the rectangle you've painted.

Frenzy

If the Lepton hits either your craft or the green trail you lose a life.

You have a choice of two speeds when controlling your ship. High speed enables you to fence off larger areas of the rectangle, but low speed filling scores twice as many points. There's also a time bonus on each screen.

At the higher levels you will find yourself fencing off up to five Leptons. You will also have to cope with Chasers, who scuttle along the boundary lines.

Despite the simple graphics, Frenzy is a challenging game that demands quick reactions and careful timing. It falls into that small but successful category of games that may look a little dull but turn out to be enjoyable and addictive.

One for all fans of Demon Decorator, Potty Painter or Qix.

SC

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