Previous Next

One surefire test of a compulsive game is whether you are tempted to go back and play it while you are writing the review and I can assure you that I'm fighting like mad to resist it.

Quazatron is set in the multi-levelled city of the same name on the planet Quartech. You are in control of a Meknotech droid who must eliminate a whole horde of enemy droids who inhabit the underground complex.

There's nothing startling about the basic idea but the way it is developed and the number of additional features built into it make Quazatron a real joy to play.

There are eight levels to the city and almost as many levels of enjoyment. You can choose to treat the game as a straight shoot-'em-up or try it as an exercise in strategy.

You can of course opt to laser every droid in sight but there is more than one way to skin a robot. Different classes of robot have varying strength levels and component parts - you can ram them, push them off rams or engage in "grapple mode".

When grapple mode is engaged by putting the joystick into the central position and pressing fire you can move in on a vulnerable droid and dismantle him, saving for yourself weaponry, chassis and other elements you ant to incorporate into your robot.

Each enemy droid has a defensive security circuit so that each time you go for grapple mode you are transferred to a sub-game. You are given a limited number of "pulsers" to fire at a central bar to turn it to your chosen colour. Not as simple as it sounds as you have a few seconds to decide which side of the bar you want to fire from. Once you have chosen your target droid will be firing from the other side.

The game is complicated by junction boxes and obstacles that prevent you having a free shot at the bar. If you succeed in hitting at least seven of the twelve sections of the bar, you are presented with a status report on your victim.

A careful choice is needed here as different elements are required to tackle the more sophisticated droids later in the game. If the grapple mode sub-game has been deadlocked requiring one or more rematches the target droid may be severely damaged and have no elements that you can incorporate, so a swift first time victory is essential.

The droids are numbered from one to nine, the higher the number the easier it is to grapple successfully. The letters which are stamped on the droids refer to their function.

You can recharge your droid (KLP-2) from power points on the various levels. Your energy can be measured from the speed of rotation of the droid's cap. Every now and then a face emerges from under the cap to give you a smile or a frown depending on the state of the game. If you have a energy crisis, the word 'power' will appear on the display at the bottom of the screen. If that happens, it's time for a high speed visit to the nearest power point or, if possible, grapple a droid to steal a new power unit.

Although you start with a single life grappling successfully will gain you an extra life so it is advisable to come to grips with grappling early on.

Scattered around the city are consoles which will give you valuable information. Once accessed, you are presented with four icons giving a 3D map of the city, a side-on view of the levels, information from the Droid Data Library and a return to game option.

The facts from the library will give you the lowdown on droids which have a similar or lesser status to your own but it is useful to find out which have the vital elements to build your best droid.

Success in this game is all down to skilful grappling, knowing which droid is beatable and what they have that can be cannibalised for your own robot. The best strategy is to go for droids which are close to your current class number.

As most of the droids movements are diagonal it can be tricky to master the steering at first but unlike a lot of games with a joystick option, keyboard control can be as easy and effective.

The scenario of the game with its various ramps, ledges and levels is sufficiently complex to entice you back again and again, the gameplay is truly addictive and the graphics are excellent. Without reservations a Monster Hit and a game that will give the term "grappling fan" on entirely new meaning.

A Monster Hit.