Commodore User


Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper
By Go!
Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Commodore User #52

Trantor

There's nothing I like better than casting my critical eye over an offering from a new label, especially one backed by such financial giants as US Gold. Trantor is one of their opening batch of offerings from their much-hyped new label Go!

In order to save his planet Zybor, Trantor has been ordered in to defeat the evil of Nebulithone, a new world with some ambitious thoughts on dominating the universe. Trantor - the last stormtrooper - is the only man who can hope to stop them. Jet into the enemy's H.Q. and do your worst, it's up to you from here!

The way in which to complete this mission successfully is to search the complex for computer terminals. In many of these you will find letters for the crucial password, needed to hack into the enemy's computer (your final objective). In other terminals are assorted objects, from screwdrivers to computer passes, some of these may seem trivial, but beware - all of these objects are used in one way or another if you are to complete your mission successfully.

Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper

The complex is made up of many different levels, each level changes graphically but consists of the same major elements. Each level has aliens whizzing about, some larger and more spectacular than others, but each can be blown away with one short, sharp blast of Trantor's fire-breathing lethal weapon. Don't be too trigger-happy though, because Trantor doesn't pack enough ammo to last the whole mission. Also avoid too much G.B.H. from the aliens as this will result in Trantor no longer being the last stormtrooper. He will become the last dead stormtrooper.

Each level will also have a terminal where you will find the necessary letters, among other goodies. Hacking into the terminals should not be something taken at a leisurely pace. You must log-on to a new one at least every ninety seconds, or bye bye Trantor!

A supply cupboard is another little treat that you should make a point of looking for. There is one to be found on each of the levels. Inside these are to be found items that will seriously aid you on your quest. Such as a shield, which when activated will surround Trantor in a haze of energy particles. One touch by any nasty being will result in its immediate disintegration. Unfortunately this little gift has a very short life.

Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper

Refills of fuel, energy and time resetters, are among other useful little pressies to be found in the cupboard. But not everything in these things will make life easier. You may activate a time bomb, when you do you will be given a mere twenty five seconds to deactivate with the... [No telling now! - Ed] or kaboom!

Also on each level there are two lifts. One takes you further on your current level, and the other descends to take you on to further your adventures. Your job is to find the one which will take you further down, but quickly.

Finding the password is obviously the main part of the quest, but don't expect to see stars when you do. No, then you must find the correct computer terminal in which you can enter the password.

Large well-animated sprites, and colourful detailed backdrop, not to mention quite a funky little syntho number, show that Go! have promise as a new label. But the actual diluted gameplay of this lets its creators down.

Ferdy Hamilton

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