Zzap


I-Xera
By The Power House
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.

I Xera

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 Xera

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.

I Xera

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)