Electron User


Kane

Categories: Review: Software
Author: Jon Revis
Publisher: Mastertronic
Machine: BBC/Electron

 
Published in Electron User 4.03

Kane is a man with problems. As sheriff he must make peace with the Indians and pump the town's bandits full of lead.

Stage one involves Kane shooting birds with a bow and arrow. You fire the bow by moving the cursor to the desired impact point and press RETURN. The skill lies in judging how far in front of the bird to fire, which depends on the bird's altitude, distance and velocity. A direct hit results in the bird plummeting earthwards.

You begin with ten arrows, and every time you kill a bird you get your arrow back. You also receive an extra life for every three birds shot. The carnage takes place against a pretty mountain scene. Sound effects are very good - the arrows fly with a nice thwap and dead birds hit the deck with a realistic thud.

Kane

The instructions say that the next stage involves a race across the desert on horseback, jumping over the bushes. Not in my version it doesn't - the program went straight to scene three.

Standing at one end of the main street you stare at the buildings, scrutinising every doorway for tell-tale signs of movement. A hand appears at the saloon door, you run across the street, move your cursor into position, and Black Jake bites the dust. Before you know what's happening the buildings are buzzing with bandits.

Kane is very difficult to control. I had to press a key three times on numerous occasions just to get him to change direction. Whatever you do, you must keep moving. If you stand still for too long you'll end up an ex-sheriff. You can re-load your pistol by running off the right hand side of the screen, but you must choose your time to return carefully. Everybody knows where you are going to appear, so you need to wait until there are only a few baddies on the screen before returning.

Having shot ten bad guys you can proceed to scene four. What?! No scene four?! Come on, Mastertronic, what are you playing at? The instructions say scene four consists of racing to stop a hijacked train. It's a pity the programmer didn't read them.

The game may only cost £1.99 but I can't help feeling Mastertronic will receive a few letters of complaint about this one.

Jon Revis

Other Reviews Of Kane For The BBC/Electron


Kane (Mastertronic)
Cowboys and indians

Kane (Mastertronic)
A review by Dave Reeder (A&B Computing)

Kane (Mastertronic)
A review by Dave E (Everygamegoing)

Other BBC/Electron Game Reviews By Jon Revis


  • Swag Front Cover
    Swag
  • Crystal Castles Front Cover
    Crystal Castles
  • Helter Skelter Front Cover
    Helter Skelter
  • Game Core Front Cover
    Game Core
  • Steve Davis Snooker Front Cover
    Steve Davis Snooker
  • Nightmare Maze Front Cover
    Nightmare Maze
  • Triple Decker 4 Front Cover
    Triple Decker 4
  • Tank Attack Front Cover
    Tank Attack
  • Maze Front Cover
    Maze
  • Airlift Front Cover
    Airlift