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Before the main game loads you are asked to input the number of lines you want the screen moved, followed by the question 'Do you want interlace (Y/N)?' I do not know what this means and could not detect any difference after I had tried both possibilities.

When the machine code has loaded the instructions are displayed with the plot. You, a little person, must rush around a grid avoiding skulls, and boots which travel in pairs. Any contact with either of these brings about the loss of one of three lives. You walk on squares which then disappear, leaving a gap which cannot be crossed. It is possible to find yourself trapped with no squares on any side, if so, you can scroll the row you are on, left or right as you wish. Fortunately your task in life is not just to go for a stroll. You have to defuse bombs which count down to zero. Once zero is reached they home in on you and a life is lost. Defusing bombs is achieved by walking over them! After a certain number of bombs have been defused you move on to the next even harder screen. The man is easy to control using the keyboard and there is a joystick option.

The graphics are colourful, fast, and do not flicker. The sound is adequate, but not brilliant. All in all, Cruncher is a fun addition to any software collection.