C&VG


Movie

Publisher: Imagine
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #53

Movie

The neon light outside the Ideas Corp security HQ flickered fitfully as I sat gazing out of the window and the rainswept street. The private eye business had been slow since I'd solved the case of the Maltese Porcupine.

I noticed the shadow in the street below. Suddenly it threw something up at the window - my window! The glass shattered and an object crashed down on my desk.

Brushing the shattered glass aside, I picked out a cassette - a computer cassette. It showed no anti-social tendencies. Like going BOOM! when I touched it. So I pulled my trusty Spectrum from my shoulder holster and loaded up the tape.

Movie

That's when my world changed. After the pretty ordinary loading screen disappeared, I found myself in the real life world of a 50's private eye!

My job is to locate a gangster HQ and discover a tape. Simple. But once you get inside the maze-like collection of rooms and streets, you'll find a whole bunch of hit-men waiting to rub you out.

Like any really good gangster "movie" there's a couple of good-looking broads involved. Two identical twin sisters to be exact. Not quite identical - one is a goodie, the other is downright evil. The good sister will lead you to the tape. The evil sister will lead you into a trap!

Movie

You'll find useful items lying around as you explore - like a useful equaliser - gun to you! - in the third room you come to.

You'll also come across bombs which you can throw around - and booby traps which could blow you up.

The whole game is icon-driven. Which means you have to use your joystick or keyboard to select which feature or action you want to access.

Movie

You can pick up or drop items, use the "speech-bubble" to communicate with other characters via the keyboard, throw things, pause or abort the game - and even decide to punch someone.

It's important to examine each room carefully. There might just be something useful hidden on that desk, top or on the floor. Don't disregard anything.

Some of the baddies can be avoided by some careful footwork or with a well aimed punch. Only use your gun in moments of severe danger. You only get one life - so use it wisely.

Movie

The rooms are drawn in Ultimate-style forced perspective 3D. Only one colour per room - but each room is packed with intricate details.

The vocabulary is a bit limited but sometimes you can have interesting conversations. Don't spend too much time chatting up the girls!

Movie is a brilliant game. It has atmosphere with a capital A. Catch it when it comes to a shop near you!