Personal Computer News


Swords And Sorcery

Categories: Review: Software
Author: Bob Chappell
Publisher: Kansas City Systems
Machine: BBC Model B

 
Published in Personal Computer News #076

Band On The Run

SWORDS AND SORCERY

One snag with adventure programs is that, like crosswords, they are enormously satisfying to complete, but they are not much use afterwards. Swords and Sorcery overcomes this drawback.

Objectives

The usual fare - tramp around tunnels, trounce trolls and take home the treasure. However, Swords and Sorcery offers a randomly generated environment each time you play. The other difference is that you are not alone but one of a band.

In Play

Your merry band is generated at random at the start but you do get to give them names. Each member possesses varying attributes of strength, carrying power and magical abilities.

Swords And Sorcery

The upper half of the screen is used for the description of the current location, inhabitants, objects, exits and messages, the lower half for the names and status of your gang.

Moving around the multi-levelled dungeon is by the usual single-letter direction commands (N, S, U, etc). Although the game is text-only, you can call up a map which will show, in relation to your current position, those chambers already explored.

Certain key words such as TAKE, DROP, LOOK, etc, can be typed in full or called up by hitting the appropriate function.

Swords And Sorcery

The dungeon is heavily populated with mad monks, goblins, orcs and thieves who may be friendly or hostile. You may well lose one of your colleagues in the battle, but should you wish to extend your circle of helpers, you could try bribing or recruiting an inhabitant.

Objects lying around the dungeon include a magic axe, a dragon's tooth, a golden orb and a rolled scroll. Some help, some harm (their properties appear to stay constant from game to game) - it's up to you to find out which.

Should you want to stay with the same scenario, a save game feature is included. The dungeon is randomly generated at the start of each new game and there are nine levels of difficulty to choose from.

Verdict

Rather simpler than a normal adventure with more braining baddies than racking brains over puzzles. The random generation and ability to build up your attributes ensures interest is sustained.

Bob Chappell

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