Acorn User
1st September 1986
Published in Acorn User #050
Five-Minute Wonder
I was looking forward to this game, eagerly anticipating the stunning scenery of the Alps and the terrifying thrills of some of the fastest sports on Earth.
Sadly, it didn't happen. The scenery is virtually non-existent, with just one recognisable mountain throughout the whole of the five events.
As for the thrills - well, the games do get fast sometimes. But the graphics are too jerky and awkward to make you feel you're ever really in control.
The first event is speed skating. If you're playing by yourself, ignore your opponent as he's just there for decoration (if you can call the simple graphics decoration).
Next up is the ski jump. The action is thankfully short-lived here, but at least the mountain in the background is pretty. The next event is the ski slalom, where you have to aim between the flags. Then comes the downhill ski-ing, which is more of the same but without the flags and with a few more trees.
You're now on the Cresta Run. Two graphics are used here - a small and crude 3D window on the run, and a map showing your progress. Again the graphics are jerky and, when you crash, positively ridiculous.
For me, this was a five-minute wonder. I was amused the first time through, but quickly got bored. And the constant reloading of events was a real pain.
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