Personal Computer News


Java Jim

Author: Susan Cooke
Publisher: Creative Sparks
Machine: Commodore 64

 
Published in Personal Computer News #088

JAVA JIM

If you go down into the jungle today I'm afraid you won't find any teddy bears. Instead, you'll find our intrepid explorer Java Jim battling it out with flying lava, gods, spiders and snakes.

Java Jim was out excavating in the jungle when a horrid old harpy flew him to the sacred volcano of Hogbarnofu to face the magman god Onesh. In order to return to the outer world Jim has to find a number of icons for Onesh. He will then be given parts of a vessel which will allow him to escape.

You control a robot that has been given to Jim to do the actual searching for the icons. Most of the action for the game takes place on a rectangular island with a volcano in the centre. Each robot has a number of 'digs' and the number remaining is indicated at the top of the screen. As you move around the screen a neat hole will be dug revealing any icons buried there. You must then pass back over the item and press the fire button to collect it.

Java Jim In Square-Shaped Trouble

Of course, it isn't made easy for Jim as the volcano is constantly spitting lava which heads straight for the robot; there's also a spider which chases you around the grid.

Once your robot has run out of digs it is given the chance of gaining some more and is transported to another room with a floor of squares that flash. Stepping on a flashing square will give your man another dig. Oh, and of course, wriggling snakes are moving from side to side on the screen a little too realistically for comfort.

Once you have collected enough icons you can go and trade them with Onesh. The price Onesh gives you for the icons seems to depend on how many of each type of icon you have. Once you have your money you can then buy parts of your vessel from the god.

Easy to learn, fun to play but difficult to master.

Susan Cooke

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