Black Crystal

ZX Computing

Nick Pearce

THE '81 SOFT SELECTION Nick Pearce casts his eyes over the latest software packages for the ZX81. BLACK CRYSTAL - CARNELL SOFTWARE Black Crystal is another role playing adventure in which you can become a warrior, wizard or elf in a quest to find and use the rings of creation to destroy the Lords of Chaos. Black Crystal is split into six parts which have to be played in the correct sequence in order to take the player through the Land of Beroth, the Castle of Shadows, Shaggoth's Lair and to the Black Crystal itself in the Dark Tower. The six parts are supplied on two cassettes which come attractively boxed with a short booklet. This gives details of the various maps and commands, and contains a short story to set the scene. It seems that evil has returned to the earth, and you have to find the lost rings of creation to banish evil from the universe forever. A load level check precedes the first program. On LOADing this displays a map of the Kingdom of Beroth and is the doorway to the other map sections. The cursor keys are used to move around the map in the usual way. However, the intrepid warrior (or whatever character is chosen) is frequently challenged by monsters of various types. Monster battles are in real time and although physical and spiritual powers can be used in attempting to overcome your opponent, there is a good chance that it will win and you will be sent back to sanctuary at the beginning. You are challenged so often that it is very difficult and requires considerable perseverance to get more than a few steps into the game. Even after cheating - I broke into the BASIC listing and altered the rules so that I could continue after being 'killed' in battle and not sent back to sanctuary - it is not easy to make significant progress. I think this game really needs re-wording to make the initial stages less difficult and less reliant on chance, otherwise a large part of the adventure is likely to be uncharted by all but the most persistent players. By splitting the adventure into six programs Carnell have certainly been able to provide considerably more variety and detail than otherwise, but this does mean that six lengthy LOADs are needed to complete the game. Each program contains a game SAVE facility. Black Crystal costs £7.50 from Carnell Software, [redacted].

A screen illustration from Carnell Software's Black Crystal.

Sinclair User

ADVENTURE INNOVATION The Black Crystal is one of the first graphic adventures for the 48K Spectrum and 16K ZX-81. The plot of the adventure, which is played in six parts, is to destroy the evil Black Crystal with its malign intelligence before you are destroyed by the Lords of Chaos. To do so you must get through six maps on which you can move your little player, using the cursor keys. On the first map you must find some rings of power to enter the castles on that map. When you find the rings you may go through the door of the Castle of Shadows or into the dark domain of Shaggoth's Lair. You must struggle around hidden mazes, fight dragons, and avoid deadly mists. The final conflict is between you and the Lords of Chaos. If you win you will destroy the Black Crystal and peace will reign in the land. If you fail, you and the inhabitants of the land will be doomed to eternal torment. The Black Crystal is an excellent graphics adventure and a well-thought-out package. There are two cassettes in the box and an introductory booklet giving the history of the Black Crystal, as well as instructions and hints on play. The game has good quality graphics. The Black Crystal is available from Carnel Software, [redacted]. The package is reasonably priced at £7.50.