Zzap


Power Drift
By Activision
Amiga 500

 
Published in Zzap #57

Power Drift

The C64 version rough-rode its way onto the cover of Issue 55 of Zzap and zoomed away with a Sizzler for its troubles. Following up the rear, we have the Miggy Drift written by Super Hang-On programmer ZZKJ.

It plays much the same as the C64 version with an off-road buggy to drive, one of twelve rough-neck characters to choose from to drive it, and five courses to race around (each containing five circuits). In each race, you must finish in the top three to proceed to the next circuit.

Other than graphic and sonic differences Amiga Power Drift does boast some extras. The track you're about to race on spins into view, there's some speech here and there and, most useful of all, you get four continue-plays.

Phil

Power Drift

With its neat presentation Power Drift appears to be a good conversion. But as you get to harder, more graphically complex levels the graphics and gameplay start to get messy and confusing, spoiling the playability somewhat. Fans of the coin-op might appreciate the programmer's bravery, but others will wonder why he didn't keep it as graphically simple as the C64 game.

Robin

While Power Drift is technically very impressive with its extremely fast layered graphic effect, sometimes it's just too ambitious.

Masses of (admittedly excellent) graphics are flung left or right at a considerable rate and occasionally you're left trying to follow a road that's disappeared in the collage of graphics hurtling toward you. This doesn't happen all the time, but when it does it's extremely disorientating.

Verdict

Power Drift

Presentation 81%
Neat intro sequences, five continue-plays, plenty of options.

Graphics 75%
Good roadside graphics and layered effect but too often it becomes messy.

Sound 70%
A number of above average pacy tunes and some clear speech.

Power Drift

Hookability 68%
The first few levels are playable enough...

Lastability 62%
...but later levels are made even harder by confusing graphics.

Overall 65%
Nowhere near as playable as the C64 version.