Games Computing


Splat!

Publisher: Incentive
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Games Computing #3

Splat! (Incentive)

Here is one game I shall play and play for ages. Once again we are in the middle of a maze and once again we must find our way out. And to gain bonus points objects must be collected en route.

This time the hero is Zippy and the objects are plums and grass. Zippy has to avoid the spikes and walls, and must not run off the screen. The problem here is that not only does Zippy race around the maze but also the maze moves around Zippy! True, it is quite slow when Zippy zips, and it changes direction when you least expect it, but it is very difficult to navigate through a maze when walls sneak up on you from behind. The Spectrum screen seems suddenly very small and crowded.

The game has been well thought out by the programmer. For example you have the choice of using two brands of joystick, or the cursor keys, or defining your own keyboard control, and use of the Enter key causes the game to pause indefinitely while you go for a cup of coffee. The game is graphically well-presented and a pleasure to play.