Previous Next

After a hard day flying a spacecraft, the last thing you want to do is fend off a succession of jostling alien jerks. But that's what you've got to do in Motos if you're not to be sent toppling from a series of grids in space. Stray too close to the platform edge, and any unfriendly nudge you receive can end one of your five lives.

So you'd better do it to them before they do it to you. Using your multidirectional capabilities you can help your attackers over the edge with a deft push or two. And you earn points for each globular geek, boisterous bee or overfed orb that you pack off.

You can also increase your score by carefully nuzzling points beacons towards the edge of the void - and protect yourself by collecting features such as strength and jumping power.

The jump feature can be used to leap to platform islands separate from the main grid. Think before leap, though; the weight of your landing cracks the delicate component squares of the grid, and if you hit them again they'll disintegrate, leaving you to an unpleasant, deadly fate in space.

A feature can't be used on the screen where it's collected - it has to be saved for later screens. And of course features also use up energy…

The grids across which you skitter are eventually attacked by rains of shooting stars and riddled with holes. You can push the pestering extraterrestrials into the gaping chasms - but remember you can go the same way.

Motos is a conversion from the Namco arcade game.

Joysticks: Kempston, Sinclair
Graphics: simple, but well-defined
Sound: reasonable FX, 128 tune
Options: choice of mono or colour display

'What a colourful and well-presented game Motos is! The mono/colour choice is useful, and the 128 tunes enhance the game even more. Some of the aliens on higher levels are fantastic, though difficult to destroy. The only thing wrong with Motos is the way it slows down when more aliens arrive on the screen. Motos should appeal to anyone with a sense of pure fun.'

'Motos is really fun, the sort of game that needs absolutely no instructions or story line to make it really enjoyable. The colour is excellent, the sound pleasing; if only all budget games were this good...'

'Why on earth should Mastertronic want to license such an obscure coin-op? Still, Motos isn't bad - it's well-presented, and there are lots of colourful screens and pleasant 128K tunes. But many of the later levels are too easy, and a game without challenge is about as much good as an ice-cream stand in the Arctic. Motos is instantly playable, but equally forgettable.'