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SNOWMAN ALL SET TO MELT THE ICE

THE SNOWMAN, for the 48K Spectrum, is a game based on the best selling book of the same name by Raymond Briggs. It is based loosely on some of the action in the book but it centres on the building of the snowman. It should appeal to young children because of its non-violent nature.

To build the snowman you have to collect snow and avoid the flames which will chase you so that you can turn it back into water.

In some ways the game is like Jet-Pac, from Ultimate, as there is a drop site on the left of the screen which you must reach to mould the snowman's body and dress him.

There are four stages to each round. The first is to collect the snow, the second to put on the features, the third to dress the snowman and the fourth to collect ice cubes to prevent him melting. Once all of those phases have been completed you will move to round two and a different screen Layout.

There are two ways of winning points. You could forget about building the snowman at the first stage and collect objects such as crackers, stockings and Christmas trees. That will boost your score considerably, so long as you do not fall from the ice structure. If you do, or your energy level is depleted too much, you will fall back into bed.

The alternative is to build the snowman but risk the wrath of the sleep monsters, which can only be combatted using the special alarm clocks.

The game is attractive and is a change from the violence of Space invaders and the like.

The Snowman, from Quicksilva, combines the best of many games already on the market.

HORSES TAKE OVER IN HEAVENLY JOUST

BELIEVE it or not, you have been put in a saddle an the sky in Winged Warlord for the 16K Spectrum. The horse you are riding has wings and you have a lance with which you must unseat the blue warriors from their winged horses.

Unseating the blue devils is not sufficient to kill them as they float to the ground, as if they had parachutes. You must run them through with your lance before their faithful steeds come to the rescue.

The game is similar to arcade Joust which has stormed the States and is finding favour in Britain. The ostriches used an the original version have, however, been replaced by horses.

There are two ways in which you can die during the game, when you will lose one of your four lives. You can be unseated by an enemy knight or you might encounter the Evil Bird of War which looks more like a duck than a personification of evil.

The graphics are amusing and the game is fun to watch as well as play.

Winged Warlord has a two-player option. That means only that you can take turns to spike the enemy and notch high scores. It is a pity players cannot challenge each other using different parts of the keyboard. The game would have been slower on that option but more interesting. It can be obtained from CDS Micro Systems.

Memory: 48K Price: £6.95 Joystick: Kempston, Cursor