Zzap
1st September 1988
Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: The Power House
Machine: Commodore 64/128
Published in Zzap #41
I-Xera
The most awesome fighting force in the galaxy, the I-Xera corps, has suffered an almighty embarrassment: the IX logo has been stolen! The thief is obviously a practical joker, claiming that the pieces of logo are hidden in an old soap-bubble factory. Foolishly thinking that this can't possibly be serious, you volunteer for the mission and zoom off to the factory.
You soon realise that this isn't a joke, due to all the nasty robots attacking you! Blasting away with your laser you begin the search, only stopping to recharge your batteries, pick up a useful object such a spanner, or open ion gates by switching the appropriate levers. Can you find the Mini Inter-dimensional Storage Unit which allows you to collect the missing pieces of the logo and return a hero? (Pause for breath.) Or do you even want to?
ME
Under normal circumstances, I'm the first to enjoy a shoot-'em-up, but even I can't find any redeeming features in this turgid affair. The main sprite is a laughable, feebly animated robot and is complemented by extremely bland, repetitive backdrops.
Searching for the pieces of logo very quickly becomes boring, so much so that you start thinking, "I don't care what happens when all the pieces are collected, I can't be bothered playing any more". One or two games is enough to reach the conclusion that this is utter rubbish.
GH
A pleasing Hagar tune appeared to bode well, as did my first thirty seconds of play - from then on I learned to endure the repetitive nature of both the dull grey platforms and the game itself.
The sprites add a little colour to the proceedings, but wandering around the soap factory (which is an inane place to set a high-tech shoot-'em-up anyway) shooting bubbles and alien creatures is boring at the best of times, and the 'press fire and hope' energy replacement sub-game doesn't enhance play.
I don't think anyone will find this anything but extremely dull.
Verdict
Presentation 21%
Very basic indeed, with over brief instructions.
Graphics 25%
Bland, unoriginal sprites and repetitive scenery.
Sound 41%
An annoying tune plays throughout.
Hookability 29%
Dull from the outset.
Lastability 12%
A few games is plenty.
Overall 13%
Unlucky for everyone! (These observations are brought to you by the Minimalist School of Comments Inc)