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Pulsator is a arcade puzzle game designed and programmed by Softeam. The game is composed of many "flick-screens" that add to the puzzling nature of the action because you can't see the whole game area at once and have to map things out.

There are five levels through which you must go, rescuing the baby pulsator or pulsy on each level. Along the way, you must travel through as many of the 49 rooms on each level as necessary to get the key which opens the door to the pulsy. After rescuing the pulsy you must find the exit to the next level.

If you think that's easy, you're right! But there's more. Along the way, you must shoot enemy robots, who drain your energy with varying intensity. Also, doors block the path to various parts of the five-level complex of 49 rooms. These doors are numbered from one to six, and can be opened or shut only by passing over one of its number pads. This adds a new, more adventurous dimension to the game. They are arranged in confusing mazes and can send you round in circles for ages trying to work them out.

There are a lot of different characters in the game - some good, most of them bad. The Protectron will give you a protective glow for about two minutes when you touch it. You can then kill the baddies just by touching them. There is only one Protectron per level, so don't accidentally shoot it! Unfortunately, it's difficult to know whether or not you have actually shot it because the visual effect of the protective glow is slight. Invariably you won't realise you have the glow until the warning sounds to tell you that it's about to wear off!

The Thiefrox is the worst of the baddies. He cannot be killed by your protective glow, and, in character with his name, he will steal a key from you if you are carrying one.

Gun ga Dis is the most common one and the most infuriating. When he touches you, he temporarily disables your gun for a seemingly infinite time. It will take several shots to get rid of him.

Resurrectron will come back to life after you have shot him. In his second life, he is indestructible and will kill you on contact.

Some of the other items are useful or a pain in the back ... of your neck? Picking up the skull and crossbones will temporarily stun all the robots. Be careful of the question mark: it is really annoying. Softeam says, "Have fun with it!" Pah! It reverses the horizontal actions, so pushing left makes you go right and vice-versa. This would not be so bad if they hadn't placed the question marks next to force-field squares which kill you on contact, and the reversal lasts forever! Yawn.

Passing over an oil drum will replenish your power level. Collecting three will give you an extra life! Wow!

Another good, and annoying, feature is the transporter units littered throughout the complex. Touching one will immediately send you to its respective reception thingy. This can be good at times, especially when trying to set specific gates, but can also cause havoc. On one level, I had to keep aborting the game because I got into a rut and couldn't see my way out because of these !&*!%!$ transporters. Ho-hum.

Pulsator has many good features, good graphics and sound effects. The game is very complex and taxing. I played it for many hours. It is easy to get into, and for once you feel a great sense of achievement when you escape from a level.

For the ardent arcade-adventurist, this game is a must: very mappable and very addictive. However, for me this game suffers real stayability problems. I tend to get frustrated pretty quickly when ruts occur. That's what makes writing a review about it such a pleasure. I spent an hour or two caught between two transporters and a couple of one-way signs, culminating in unmentionable words and a rapid power-off.

Altogether a good game, worth getting and of definite appeal to most people.

I loved this game because it combines great arcade graphics and action with some wicked puzzling. You'll need plenty of logical thought and a penchant for blasting too. I don't share Chris's frustrations with the game; I found they just drove me on to find the answer and try to complete the level. Very original game and gameplay that will test you for a long time.

30,000 points.

All features visible.

Graphics 76%
P. Fast screen-fiipping.
P. Great design for screens, characters.
N. Dull, earthy colours.

Sonics 43%
N. Sound-effects lack oomph.

Grab Factor 85%
P. Problems hook you immediately.
P. Each level harder and more puzzling.

Staying Power 86%
P. Five extensive complexes to search.
N. Those easily frustrated will sour from this game.

Overall 84%
P. Very original.
P. Good combination of arcade and puzzling, blasting and gates.