Games Computing


Quack-A-Jack

Publisher: Severn
Machine: Oric 48K/Atmos

 
Published in Games Computing #9

Quack-A-Jack (Severn)

The idea in this zany game is unoriginal, but the details are impressive indeed. You play the part of Red Jack the famous Pirate Duck and you are trapped in the dungeons - shown by a screen full of flagstones. Your main enemy is a terraducktile who hatches out of his egg and eats you unless you get to his egg first.

Using the cursor keys you leap from flagstone to flagstone making your way to the egg. However, you are not the only one in the dungeon. On each level you will be chased by different items ranging from teddy bears, ice cream cones and micros to prawns, burgers, kangaroos and more. Money can also be found in the dungeon and taking this earns bonus points.

As if this were not enough there are a number of cooking pots and landing on these is very nasty indeed. If you reach five eggs before they hatch you will move on to the next level. If in trouble you are able to slide flagstones towards you - a helpful feature on higher levels. As the game progresses the chasers speed up and you need to get more eggs as well.

The graphics and sound are very good but the game does not hold interest for very long and after a short time you only play to see if there are any more chasers yet unseen.

The duck is very easy to control and the instructions are simple to follow.