News

The UK release of "Questprobe 3" (aka "The Fantastic Four") had suffered more delays. There had been hopes it'd be out for Christmas, but it looks like licensing issues had pushed it back.

Rhino announced "Ark Pandora" for the C64.

PSS had released two new wargames: "Falklands 82" for the Spectrum and "Theatre of Europe" for the Amstrad.

Global Software announced a game based on "the Worst Vegetable Movie of All Time", "The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes". They boasted that the game was "the result of at least two day's hard sleeping."

"The Sacred Armour of Antiriad" would be Palace Software's next original game, created by new hire Dan Malone. "Cauldron II" was also heading to the C64 any day now, with Spectrum and Amstrad versions to follow.

Samantha Fox would "star" in her own game by Martech, "Samantha Fox's Strip Poker".

Gargoyle teased a few details about its new very interesting looking take on adventure games, "Heavy on the Magick". While Gargoyle had traditionally focussed on the Spectrum, they were busy assembling a C64 team so Commodore fans wouldn't be left out.

Ariolasoft was readying "Golf Construction Set" for the C64. The game was being designed by David Bishop in the UK, but Andromeda Software in Hungary were handling the programming.

"The Force" from Argus Software would see the player take on the role of a Chief Constable.

Nolan Bushnell was now free to develop new games and electronic toys as the 7 year blackout agreed when he sold Atari to Warner had ended. His first new product would be a line of toys called Petsters, which were battery powered furry toys that could talk and respond to 10 commands triggered by clapping or voice.

Sinclair finally launched a significant update to their enormously popular Spectrum 48K, the Spectrum 128K.

English Software announced their medieval take on the Daley Thompson's genre of button mashing games, "Knight Games".

"Swords & Sorcery II" was to feature a new level with more monsters and various improvements. It was never released.

"Fast Tracks" was a slot-car racing game from Activision that would include a track editor.

The French creator of "Macadam Bumper" revealed his next game would be "Crafton and Xunc" for the Amstrad.

Features

Marshal M. Rosenthal checked out an impressive new laser tag style game centre in Ontario, Canada called "Star Blazer".

The Atari ST and the Amiga were compared, with a roundup of current and forthcoming games for the former.

The electronic band Mainframe continued their series of articles, this time focussing on a look at sampling techniques.

Notable Previews

• "The Planets" Martech

Notable Reviews

• "Zoids" Martech - C64 10/10 Game of the Month "With a bit of practice you'll soon be dashing around causing all sorts of havoc and enjoying what must be one of the best games EVER for the 64."
• "Who Dares Wins II" Alligata - Amstrad 9/10 C&VG Hit "And despite qualms over the morality of death and destruction, Who Dares Wins II is satisfying, addictive and fun to play."
• "Spitfire 40" Mirrorsoft - Spectrum/Amstrad 8/10 C&VG Hit "All in all Spitfire 40 is a nice flight simulation, not too complicated to prevent instant enjoyment or too easy to make the game boring after just a few plays."
• "The Eidolon" Lucasfilm/Activision - C64 9/10 C&VG Hit "Time seems to be coming in for a lot of bending and stretching you think to yourself. With seven caves to explore, a host of nasties to bash and the most terrifying many-headed dragon you are ever likely to see The Eidolon is a winner."
• "2112AD" Design Design - Spectrum 9/10 C&VG Hit "2112AD has real atmosphere and is pretty addictive. The interaction between the main character and Poddy, a K-9 clone, adds an original aspect to the game. It's very playable, too."
• "Enigma Force" Beyond - C64/Spectrum 8/10 C&VG Hit "The problem with Enigma is that the deeper you delve into it the more shallow it reveals itself to be."
• "Hardball" Accolade - C64 10/10 C&VG Hit "Hardball has strategy, action and extra added addictiveness. So grab your glove, Charlie Brown and head for the pitcher's mound this instant!"
• "Spindizzy" Electric Dreams - Amstrad 10/10 C&VG Hit "Graphically stunning, the sheer scope of Spindizzy is breathtaking. Add to this absorbing game play, intriguing puzzles, a beat-the-clock element, and you have a brilliant game."
• "Twister" System 3 - Spectrum 9/10 C&VG Hit "Your aim is the destruction of Twister, the corrupt serpent coiled around a core of evil in this rather nice shoot 'em up and strategy game from System 3."
• "Dragonskulle" Ultimate - C64 9/10 "Ultimate's last couple of games, Imhotep and Outlaws, were a little bit disappointing to say the least. But with Dragonskulle the quality is back to the normal form."
• "Robin of Sherlock" Delta4/Silversoft - Spectrum 8/10 "Apart from this [jokes being "thrust down your throat in rapid succession"], Robin is a very entertaining set of programs, with reasonable graphics and good descriptions."
• "Spellbreaker" Infocom - All formats 10/10 "If you like magic adventures with greater than usual depth, or have enjoyed playing Enchanter and Sorceror, then Spellbreaker will not disappoint."
• "Psychedelic Warp" Silversoft - Spectrum 9/10 "A fairly original plot, some inventive touches (SCORE produces "You're still hoping this is a game, aren't you?") and some very exciting graphics make this a completely original game."
• "The Pawn" Magnetic Scrolls/Rainbird - ST/Amiga/Mac/C64/Amstrad/Atari/Apple 2/BBC 10/10 "The Pawn is so good that to compare it in the same category as many of the adventures currently on the market is to do it a gross injustice. Good luck to Magnetic Scrolls and Rainbird in their bid to raise standards. They deserve it."

Charts

All Formats

1. "Yie Ar Kung Fu" Imagine - all formats
2. "Kung Fu Master" US Gold - C64
3. "Rock N Wrestle" Melbourne House - Spectrum/C64/Amstrad

Amstrad

1. "Elite" Firebird
2. "Sky Fox" Ariolasoft
3. "The Sold a Million" Hit Squad

Spectrum

1. "Winter Games" Epyx
2. "Commando" Elite
3. "Spellbound" Mastertronic

BBC

1. "Yie Ar Kung Fu" Imagine
2. "Exploding Fist" Melbourne House
3. "Citadel" Superior

C64

1. "Kung Fu Master" US Gold
2. "Rock N Wrestle" Melbourne House
3. "The Eidolon" Activision