Amstrad Action


Ziggurat
By Ariolasoft
Amstrad CPC464

 
Published in Amstrad Action #28

Ziggurat

Long ago, the Djo Carz were ruled by the slightly insane Tehotec. All of his treasures were taken with him to his grave in the temple/pyramid known as a Ziggurat. As a brave explorer, you wander through a maze of chambers trying to discover the secret of where his treasure is hidden.

3D Swivo vision is how the view of the temple is described; this translates into a game with doors, platforms, lifts objects and energy draining occupants, viewed in 3D perspective. Many problems must be solved and dangers bypassed before you reach the treasure chamber.

The temple is guarded by the beings known as Mimbies, the ghosts of other foolhardy explorers who died in attempts to take Tehotec's treasure. If you lose one of your five lives, then your old body becomes a Mimbie, with the same thought as all the others, to kill explorers. Fortunately, the Mimbies can be killed with pebbles from a sling; unfortunately, you have neither pebbles nor sling to begin with. Another way of dealing with Mimbies is by dropping dead mice on the floor because, for some strange reason, they can't resist eating them. Also, in your exploration you will come across pebbles, slings, lifts, marbles, mice, levers, spells and various other things to help you.

Ziggurat

If you want to, you can have a continuous tune playing or you can turn it off. The tune itself is good and sounds pyramidish. Spot effects are simple but effective. Colour is not used much, but everything is clear and easy to see. Movement of the characters is smooth and well animated. Problem solvers will find plenty to keep them occupied.

Second Opinion

There are some intriguing puzzles tucked away in this that should keep you tied up for many a long evening. It doesn't exactly take 3D into a whole new era, but it does contain some interesting variations on the theme. It's a shame it took so long to actually get on the streets (nearly a year), but isometric 3D fans will find plenty to occupy them.

Green Screen View

Clear Mimbies everywhere.

First Day Target Score

Ziggurat

5,000 points

Verdict

Graphics 76%
P. Well animated characters and smooth movement.
N. Very little colour.

Sonics 64%
P. Nice tune.
N. Not much in the way of sound effects.

Ziggurat

Grab Factor 72%
P. Mimbie bashing is fun.
N. Very difficult to start with.

Staying Power 75%
P. Lots of problems to solve!
N. No new ideas.

Overall 73%
Ideal for puzzlers and cartographers.

GBH

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