Commodore User


West Bank

Author: Mike Pattenden
Publisher: Gremlin
Machine: Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Commodore User #42

West Bank

If you've ever fancied yourself as quick on the draw then Gremlin's new mid-price game might be the one for you. "Soft City smells of gunpowder," says the inlay, but you would be the soft one if you didn't recognise this as a straight copy of the arcade game Bank Raid.

Inside West Bank are untold riches, well, quite a lot anyway, and everyone's eager to get their mitts on some of it, including you. You don't have to rob it though, they will give it to you if you act as a sort of western security guard. Figures appear from behind any of the twelve safe deposit doors to hand you the dosh, but not all of them are friendly so you had better be fast and accurate on the draw.

For example, you might come across genial old Green Jordan, the friendly farmer who comes to the bank to deposit his savings. Don't shoot him, his family won't like it. Or there is Daisy, the purttiest thing you ever did see. Don't shoot her it's a hell of a waste - even if she does lie in a rather revealing position when you do.

West Bank

Also waiting to jump out from behind the doors are various baddies like Jack Vicious who you can gun down as soon as you see him appear. Occasionally he will shove Green or Daisy out of the way to try and catch you out. The really tasty customers are the boys who draw on you. If you shoot before they get their gun out of the holster then you lose a life.

One other awkward chap is Bowie the dwarf who spends his life walking around wearing several hats. Strange behaviour I know, but under the bottom one there's money... or a bomb, so be careful as you shoot them off.

After each day there is a shoot out with three villains, but again you can only draw after they have.

West Bank looked pretty mediocre on my first viewing but I have to admit that despite its straightforward five key gameplay, I just had to shoot them thar varmints. It has a certain undeniable addictiveness that compares well with the graphics and sound which, without being spectacular, are adequate for the price range the game falls into. Go for your game!

Mike Pattenden

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