Previous Next

Latest in a string of comic book heroes to hit the computer screen is Marvel's long-standing hero, Captain America.

As the Captain, or 'Cap', as he is affectionately known during the on-screen prompts, you are pitted against the insane would-be world-ruler, Dr. Megalomman - with a name like that, he could hardly be an insurance clerk.

Megalomman has constructed a vast underground bunker which houses a missile primted with a deadly genetic virus; with this he intends to blackmail the US President into abdicating in his favour. Your mission is to penetrate all layers of the bunker, destroying Megalomman's robotic henchmen on the way, locate the missile and deactivate it.

Instructions for playing the game are sparse and take the form of a debriefing of the only survivor from a previous 'oust Megalomman' mission. This adds to the atmosphere but makes it very much a 'find out how to play as you go along' game.

To begin, you must learn how to operate the controls in the orbivator - a sort of lift which will despatch you into various locations within Dr Megalomman's bunker. All the locations, or 'quadrants', are contaminated by Megalomman's proprietary virus, so you must check that your immunity level is high enough before venturing further. For each quadrant there are specific instructions for dealing with the various robotic nasties therein.

The further you get into the game, the more you'll discover about how to increase your immunity, add to your weaponry, and the route down to the missile.

Captain America is a nicely put together package, with plenty of tension in the gameplay, although the features of the game are competent rather than outstanding. The Captain America characters is a rather fuzzy electric blue streak, and the megacyborgs, the robot guards, are simply spinning shapes. And although the Captain is a large character (rather than a little animated blob) the layout of the screens in the quadrant scenes makes for a very tight and confined playing area.

The continuous music, too, complements the gameplay, but it soon becomes a relief to turn off.

Obviously, this is a game targeted at dedicated zappers, but it's nice to see that the plot is kept relevant to your actions throughout, and not just an excuse to clear screens, collect bonuses and break your joystick.