Games Computing


Danger Ranger

Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Microdeal
Machine: Commodore 64

 
Published in Games Computing #10

Danger Ranger (Microdeal)

In this game, the player controls the Ranger with the aid of either the keyboard or Joystick - personally I found that the keyboard gave a greater degree of control in the manoeuvres that were to follow. The basic object of the game is to traverse through the two different screens, which are then repeated but at an increased level of difficulty in terms of the ferocity of the attacking dangers namely - floating urns, radioactive bats and roving eyes (on the first screen) and the drop of acid rain accompanied by the stationary monsters found on the second screen.

The object of the game is to collect the ten keys situated openly on the five platforms of the first screen. Each platform having two keys with 1 or 2 spaces for the Ranger to fall through to reach the platform below. The Ranger can jump over these spaces to reach the key on the opposite side of the platform. As well as being able to jump the Ranger can also duck down to avoid the bullets, floating bats and the roving eyes. At the centre of the fifth platform at the base of the screen is a spring that can be used to propel the Ranger back up to the first platform in order to collect any remaining keys.

Having collected the tenth key the Ranger then has to face the acid chamber to collect all of the treasure chests (located on the right hand side of the screen), whilst avoiding not only the drops of acid rain, but also the four demons which have to be shot.

There are five levels of skill, a hi-score table and a pause facility that allows one to ponder the oncoming doom. There is also a practice mode in which the Ranger can duck, dodge and shot to kill without being killed.

Overall, I found this to be a very difficult game and found myself increasingly attracted to the practice mode where my score seemed to be more reasonable.