ZX Computing


Halaga

Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Interceptor Micros
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in ZX Computing #19

Halaga

Sent to Cygnus Major for mineral resources by the Federation of Space Research, you run into a hostile alien reception. Only your skill with the anti-matter plasma gun will save you.

This is an average shoot-'em-up space game which you can play with most of the joystick options available. The aliens zoom onto the screen in set patterns, take up their positions while the next squadron enters, and finally, when they are all in place, make bombing runs on your spaceship. As they enter and attac they send down a stream of missiles.

Simply by dodging back and forward and firing continuously I got through the first few sheets (there are four screens to a sheet), before the speed of the attackers increased to such a rate that I couldn't survive. One thing I found interesting was the style of presentation and movement, this reminded me very much of the Demo screens of Oasis' White Lightning program. I suspect that this was written using it and would be interested to know if this is the case. If so, then it is one of the first commercial quality programs I have seen produced by a "games writer" utililty.

Although not particularly inspired or inspiring, there is not a lot wrong with this game, the graphics are good, movement is smooth and it is enjoyable to play. I suppose that it lacks sophistication when compared to other programs. I played it for over an hour but have not really experienced a desire to have another go.