Computer Gamer
1st January 1986Robot Messiah
This is Alphabatim's first game, and was the one featured in our recent 'Amiga' competition.
The idea behind the game is to save the enslaved robots from their misery and suffering at the hands of the evil Androids. The Androids are robots created before the demise of man, in the image of man and have taken on the human traits of greed, determination and ambition. The ordinary robots are now enslaved to them.
Socrates has a vision of freedom for the droids, but he has been left, rusting and worn out, to die. His hopes must be carried forth by you, SID, the robot messiah.
So the story unfolds into a screen-by-screen ramps and walkways game with you playing SID trying to piece together the program to re-program the master computer and free the robots.
The game is set over three levels: The Caverns, The Automation, and The Test Centre. The Caverns and The Test Centre are fairly similar, but The Automation is a sort of car transporter system between the first and third levels, complete with nasties, power cells and shields. The Test Centre is a similar format to the first level, but with 'big brother' watching cameras, and different problems to be encountered.
It's the problem-solving part of this game which set it apart from most games of this type. Having to collect and use different objects to get through various bits, such as the gun and ammo, the weights etc. And increase the playability of what would otherwise be a ladders and ramps game amongst a crowd of ladders and ramps games.
The graphics are very good with large chunky objects moving across the screen. Effective use is made of colour, though due to the limitations of the Spectrum, they do clash horribly whenever there is an object contact. The game is also very well put together, and was originated by one of the programmers of Decathlon and SuperTest from Ocean. The animation of the main character is very good - after a jump he skids a little to regain his footing!
If you like this sort of game then this could well be high on your list.