Zzap


Spellseeker
By Bug Byte
Commodore 64

 
Published in Zzap #28

Spellseeker

Ashlaa, the evil sorcerer lies hidden somewhere in the Magic Maze. It is imperative that he be killed, but he's well protected by the beasts which he has created to protect him.

You are the Spellseeker: a wizard with mercenary tendencies. The task of despatching the dark lord has fallen on your small but powerful shoulders.

The interior of the Magic Maze is displayed in 3D perspective, as Spellseeker makes his tortuous way through the labyrinth. Spellseeker is joystick-controlled and is directed by a ninety-degree turn left or right and forward motion.

The maze is littered with danger. As well as Ashlaa and his witch ally, there are 35 other monsters to be dealt with or avoiding, including skeletons, wraiths, snakes and goblins. All of these attack out hero by striking out, casting spells or even spitting poison. This aggression inflicts damage on Spellseeker and his strength rating is depleted depending on the monster confronted. Accordingly, the more ferocious the beast, the more it takes to defeat them. Our caped crusader has an array of spells to use against the monsters, accessed from a small menu system athe lower right of the screen.

Four types of well are encountered throughout the maze, and drinking from these can increase your strength or magic powers, cure and damage previously inflicted upon you or, should the well be poisonous, decrease your strength.

Travelling within the maze is accomplished more swiftly by use of the teleportation pads which are scattered about. Entering one of these sends Spellseeker to a different part of the maze to continue his quest.

SJ

Spellseeker is a rather poor attempt at a 3D Ultimate-style arcade adventure. The method used for creating each location is rapid but confusing: no matter whih side of the screen you exit, you always enter the next location from the bottom left, the viewpoint of the room altering to suit.

This is very disorienting and you really have to concentrate to avoid running around in circles. It also makes mapping the game a real task, which is necessary to actually make any progress.

Graphically sparse, there is little urge to explore and this makes me feel that Spellseeker is doomed to remain in the Magic maze forever (otherwise known as the software shop).

PS

This is a very plain and tediously simple arcade adventure. The control method leaves a lot to be desired, as turning through 180 degrees is a slow process, and often leads to the death of your character.

The layout of the playing area and the way that it is displayed on screen is very odd - whichever exit you leave a screen from, play begins again at the bottom left hand corner of the next.

There are plenty of other games of this ilk around, I suggest you buy one of the better ones.

SJ

Spellseeker is a rather poor attempt at a 3D Ultimate-style arcade adventure. The method used for creating each location is rapid but confusing: no matter which side of the screen you exit, you always enter the next location from the bottom left, the viewpoint of the room altering to suit.

This is very disorienting and you really have to concentrate to avoid running around in circles. It also makes mapping the game a real task, which is necessary to actually make any progress. Graphically sparse, there is little urge to explore and this makes me feel that Spellseeker is doomed to remain in the Magic maze forever (otherwise known as the software shop).

Verdict

Presentation 40%
Seriously marred by the odd movement between rooms.

Graphics 57%
Rapidly drawn, but lacking in detail and generally drab.

Sound 15%
An annoying cacophony.

Hookability 49%
Easy to pick up and play, but very disorientating.

Lastability 56%
Mildly entertaining but ultimately tiresome.

Overall 47%
Yet another addition to the ever-increasing line of average arcade adventures.