Personal Computer News


Jet Power Jack

Author: Simon Williams
Publisher: Micro Power
Machine: BBC Model B

 
Published in Personal Computer News #080

JET POWER JACK

There are several 'platform-type' games around at the moment, but few run on the BBC and Electron because of their limited memory to store information for all the different 'rooms'. Jet Power Jack overcomes this problem by making each level a separate game in its own right.

The basic concept of this game is to fetch a fuel pod from one side of the screen and return it to the flying saucer on the other. To do this you have to avoid a number of elevating meanies and the electrified ends of the platforms themselves. Add to this a jetpack with an on/off control and you have the basis of the game.

To control the game is simple. The CTRL and A keys move you left and right, and the RETURN key fires your jet pack. The five screens offer quite different scenes, and you'll need some good tactics to complete them successfully.

Jet Power Jack

The first is a simple platform hop: you have to avoid aliens which rise and fall between the platforms and bats which hang from their undersides.

The second allows more freedom of movement, but you are at the mercy of your rather independently-minded backpack.

The third is more like the first, except that a number of caged nasties limit the platforms on which you may make a landing.

Jet Power Jack

The fourth screen is similar to the second, but harder, and the fifth features Wilfred the hideous Yugg monster.

You are in flight virtually from start to finish on this one. If you complete your task on any one level, you are off again on the same screen, picking the fuel pod from a new vertical position on the right and returning it to the saucer, positioned randomly on the left.

While it's not original, Jet Power Jack runs a nice line in humour and, despite its simple controls, proves to be an entertaining and addictive game. The graphics are smooth and the sound is interesting. Well worth looking out for.

Simon Williams

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