C&VG


Uridium Plus Paradroid
By Hewson Consultants
Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #64

Uridium Plus Paradroid

The ultimate compilation. Two classic C64 games in one package, and not just satisfied with re-releasing the original games together Hewson have come up with enhanced versions of both these smash hits. Talk about value for money!

A C64 owner without a copy of Uridium is a bit like a goldfish without a bowl. But even if you have a already got Andrew Braybrook's stunning shoot-'em-up you'll still want a copy of this new version.

Andrew has gone back to the game, altered the configuration of the Dreadnoughts, made the alien attackers even swifter and much more deadly, given your Manta fighter increased firepower and put a lot more stuff to shoot on the giant spaceships!

You also don't have to wait for the land now message to appear before you land on the Dreadnoughts and enter the slot machine style sub-game. You can gamble on getting hi-scores by zooming across the giant ships and landing to play the bonus game or simply by staying in the air and gunning down alien attackers by the score.

The Dreadnoughts come at you in a different order this time just to add to the intrigue. And there's more deadly flying mines - so watch out!

This enhanced and improved version of the classic shoot-'em-up only serves to show, once more, what a great game Uridium is. All the imitators pale into insignificance as you grip the joystick and prepare to take your Manta screaming across the surface of the Dreadnoughts once more! Uridium is the ultimate C64 shoot-'em-up. Nuff said?!

This package also gives more people the chance to try out Andrew Braybrook's first major release, Paradroid. Largely under-rated when it first appeared this is the game that inspired Andrew's partner, Steve Turner, to write his Spectrum hit Quazatron. It's also the game that introduced the idea of the bonus game to C64 software.

Paradroid doesn't have the instant appeal of Uridium - but it's long on playability and lastability. You control a droid complete with an "influence device" out to destroy a whole host of rebellious droids on board a space freighter.

Once again this isn't the original game first released in 1985. It's a speeded up and enhanced "competition edition" which will appeal to old Paradroid hands and new recruits to the Braybrook fan club alike.

Your aim is to destroy the mutinous crew by zapping them or taking them over via your influence device.

The transfer game is the key to success. You won't be able to progress through the game unless you master it. After all, a puny 301 droid isn't going to be able to deal effectively with a 605 unless he's really lucky.

You have to move from deck to deck destroying and taking over rebel droids, moving your way up through the droid ranks by transferring your influence device to progressively more powerful engines.

The transfer game is described fully in the first Ideas Central Handbook which came free with C&VG's July 1986 issue. If you missed it, here's a brief summary of what happens.

When you've locked on to a rebel droid - by bumping into your target and hitting the fire button - the screen changes from an overhead view of the ship's deck to a puzzle screen.

There are a series of horizontal lines or wires, divided by a horizontal column. The idea is to move your little triangular pulsars up and down the wires and fire them to make the central column change to your chosen colour - yellow or purple.

If you're successful, you then control the target droid which should preferably be more powerful. Fail and your droid burns out and the game is lost.

As I've already mentioned this is essential to successfully ridding the freighter of the rogue droids. Blasting away just isn't enough!

However, it's a good idea to leave a supply of less powerful droids around just in case you suddenly lose control of a powerful droid and need to start building up your own power all over again.

Once all the droids on one deck are knocked out, the lights go out! Then it's time to look for another infested deck to deal with. But make sure you're not going from the frying pan into the fire. Make a quick sortie to find out what rating the droids on each deck have. This is shown by numbers on their, err, chests, I suppose you'd call them.

Paradroid isn't a game you'll solve in the first sitting. But it is one you'll keep coming back to time and time again. And thanks to this compilation, more people will get the chance to play it.

Don't forget to check out the terrific Paradroid loading screen - it's a killer!

This package is brilliant value for money, awesomely playable and totally addictive. Don't miss it - you won't see a better compilation for the C64 this side of the decade.