Atari User
1st March 1986
Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Machine: Atari 400/800/600XL/800XL/130XE
Published in Atari User #11
Realm Of Impossibility
Electronic Arts has always been a good source of original and exciting software, but I was slightly disappointed at Realm Of Impossibility.
Originally released under the name Zombies, the program has now been revamped and licensed in the UK by Ariolasoft.
The game follows a good against evil theme. The player stars in an Indiana Jones type role, fighting all forms of nasty beings from marauding zombies to small round orbs which look like gobstoppers.
The action stars when an evil cleric called Wistrik steals the seven crowns of the middle kingdoms, and yes, you have to recover them.
This Wistrik isn't stupid. He has hidden the crowns among his thirteen dungeon strongholds - but he made one small mistake, he only locked six of the dungeons. The other seven contain either keys that open the remaining locked dungeons or crowns for you to collect.
A menu shows dungeons that are locked, completed or unentered. When you select a dungeon, the screen changes to a 3D view of the dungeon, giving a clear perspective scene reminiscent of the famous Zaxxon. Your man stands ready to explore the passages ahead.
You will probably have wondered why this game is titled Realm Of Impossibility? Well, some of the dungeons have walls that would confuse any bricky!
In the Realm Of Impossibility dungeon, for example, there is a 3D platform that seems to be 100 metres high, and yet you can step down to ground level at the side of the platform.
As you move out of a room, the screen scrolls the next section on smoothly and when this is complete a whole host of creatures converge towards you.
At this point you should have scanned the room and begun a dash for the next room or be running towards any object you wish to pick up.
The creatures usually wander about or just head straight for you. When a nasty collides with you, your hit points decrease. If your hit points drop below zero, the game ends.
The bad guys include zombies, poisonous snakes, giant spiders and evil orbs. These subordinates of the evil world play a defending role, protecting the keys and crowns against intruders. They're not stupid, so be careful when being chased.
The problem with this game lies in the ease with which I completed all the dungeons. I finished the whole game on only my third go!
The game offers a two player game which is quite fun. Both players are on the screen at the same time, so this calls for complete cooperation between them. If a player wishes to leave a room he must wait for his partner to leave as well. If a player is killed, the remaining player can resurrect his dead companion by touching him.
The price for this US Top 5 (it won't be in my top 100!) is £9.95 for cassette and £12.95 for disc.