Computer Gamer


Hocus Focus
By Quicksilva
Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Computer Gamer #15

Hocus Focus

The Daily Shocker needs a photographer to cover a big scoop, and since the usual man is out on another assignment, you are sent in his place.

That is how our hero, Jeremy the punk Yop at the Daily Shocker, was sent down to Hyde Park to photograph a Mad Professor's inventions.

Unfortunately, all of the inventions are hidden in pieces somewhere in a deep cave system. To make things worse the caves are guarded by the professor's mutants who don't actually kill you, instead they steal your film and blunt your sword (if you've managed to find one).

Hocus Focus

Holes in the ground lead to deeper levels in the search for more pieces by every time you get caught by a mutant you have to return to the surface to get a new film.

Incidentally, the caves are also highly radioactive and so you can't stay down too long or you'll begin to glow and finally mutate.

The game is icon-driven with commands to look in an object, take a picture, attack, move and pick up objects. Once you return to the surface with some pictures you then must place them in the right position on the picture grid that gradually builds up the photograph of the invention. You don't have to solve the puzzle, just put them on the grid.

Hocus Focus

Unfortunately, the action takes place in an extremely small window display, surrounded by a sea of black which makes it hard to follow.

You need to collect twenty pictures to form each invention. As there are sixteen inventions to collect altogether this is no easy task particularly as one mutant can steal a film (up to 16 pics) just as you're on the way out.

I managed to complete one invention before I had had enough. I think you've agree.