Ricochet

Crash

Presentation 51%

Graphics 46%

Playability 36%

Addictive Qualities 32%

Overall 33%

Ben Stone 21%

Bym Welthy 32%

Nick Roberts 45%

Producer: Firebird Silver Retail Price: £1.99 Author: Lee Dowthwaite It's a frightening problem from the very start - there are too many particles trying to cram into a universe which can't hold their ever-increasing bulk. It's a bit like trying to squeeze an elephant into a pair of trousers: something's going to give, and this time it's sure to be more than a zip. The bulk of the universe must not get any greater, or it'll be goodbye kind world in this zany Breakout-style game. At the top of the screen are the rectangular surplus particles, arranged to form a WALL (Wacky Atomic Lethal Layer). By moving the BAT (the Bi-Atomic Tracker) horizontally and vertically, you can guide the circular Bi-Atomic Wall Loppers (BAWLs) which slide across the screen to the blocks above. When a surplus particle block is struck, it's destroyed and your score increases. 10,000 points give you an extra life (just one measly extra life? - Man Ed), and after clearing one screen you could need that life to take on the next - and a different configuration of particles - because the energy flux powering your BAT can be destroyed by repeated BAWL hits. Extra weapons can be gathered by moving the BAT into the icons that glide horizontally across the screen. This way points, a double BAT and an extra BAWL can be acquired. Try to save the universe if you can - we've all got something on next Sunday. COMMENTS Joysticks: Cursor, Kempston, Sinclair Graphics: Breakout-style, colour Sound: spot FX Options: definable keys

Ricochet: Inferior Breakout clone of the week.