Son of Blagger

Your Spectrum

Dave Nicholls 2/5 MISS

Roger Willis 1/5 MISS

Ross Holman 2/5 MISS

JOYSTICK JURY From their bench on high, our regular panel of jurors - Ross Holman, Dave Nicholls and Roger Willis - pass judgement on the latest games software! You're probably getting used to our joystick jockeys by now but, for the record, there's gamester supremo Ross Holman; the hairiest of hackers, Dave Nicholls; and the fastest reviewer on two wheels, Roger Willis. WARNING! Just in case you find our scoring system too confusing, here's what it's all about. The score out of five at the end of each person's review is based on their own experience of the game. But that's pretty subjective... so they also use the HIT and MISS system to indicate its potential as a commercial success. SON OF BLAGGER Alligata Software £5.95 Roger: When you've finally managed to keep the Blagger loaded by persuading this program that you have actually entered the correct master anti-piracy code deduced from straining peepers at a miniscule key on the packaging, disappointment soon follows... Son Of Blagger ain't just another platform game - it's a bad platform game. Less-than-witty graphics are notable only for their crudity, abetting annoyingly erratic control of the Blagger himself. As he hops, jumps and creeps around the two-dimensional scrolling screens of Spectrum Security HQ, our boy is expected to scarper out of each room with all the hidden' gold keys before exhaustion of limited air supply. Quite what he's supposed to do with a binful of such upmarket locksmith's accoutrements. I don't know... not having hung around to find out Do yourself a favour and blagg a better game than this!

Read it at Your Spectrum Unofficial Archive

Sinclair Programs

Rating 40%

Colette McDermott 40%

PRICE: £5.95 GAME TYPE: Arcade It is safe to say that I liked Jet Set Willy, you liked Jet Set Willy, we all liked Jet Set Willy. It is safe to say that because sales figures, charts, readers' letters, readers' votes and reviews all agree on these points. What it is not safe to say, bearing these things in mind, is that we will all like every game which is based on the Jet Set Willy theme. There are major differences between Son of Blagger and Jet Set Willy, but it is the latter which wins in every case. As Slippery Sid, the son of Blagger, you must make your way through the Spectrum Security Headquarters, collect the golden keys from the maze of passages in the complex. Sid is larger than Willy, the screen scrolls smoothly from one part of the maze to another rather than changing only when you leave a room, the monsters and layouts are different in both games. Despite these differences it is obvious from the moment the first room appears on screen where the idea for Son of Blagger came from. Unfortunately, the idea is a failure. The game shows the fragility of the success of Jet Set Willy, how easily it could have slipped from the excellent to the mundane if it had shed its quirky humour and all the small touches which made it a pleasure to move from one room to the next. Son of Blagger is produced for the 48K Spectrum by Alligata Software, [redacted].

Crash

Use of Computer 80%

Graphics 79%

Playability 45%

Getting Started 63%

Addictive Qualities 43%

Value For Money 56%

Overall 61%

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Producer: Alligata Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £5.95 Language: Machine code Author: Elliot Gay Quite who the hero Blagger may be is not detailed in this game or why the son of Mr. Blagger should be called Slippery Sid who's real dad would appear to be another person called Roger the Dodger. It's all most confusing. What isn't so muddling is that Slippery Sid, attempting to out-emulate his famous dad, is working as an espionage agent deep inside Spectrum Security HQ on a task to collect all the golden keys dotted around the large scrolling complex. Quite why he should be doing this is not explained either and gives the feeling you've just walked into an exciting TV serial in the middle of episode three! Son of Blagger is a large maze complex with platform overtones along the lines of Jet Set Willy or Monty Mole, although it tends to resemble the latter more. Within rooms, which are of various shapes and sizes, platforms are connected by downward escalators, upwards moving ladders or linked by dissolving floors. Various monster robots prowl the premises on unvarying paths of destruction, guarding the keys. The screen 'window' scrolls periodically to keep Blagger's Son in the middle of the action. There are several levels to play through with a time limit imposed by falling air supply. COMMENTS Control keys: Z/X left/right, SPACE to jump Joystick: doesn't need one Keyboard play: responsive enough Use of colour: very good Graphics: large, detailed, and varied Sound: continuous tune with on/off facility Skill levels: 1 Lives: 3 Screens: many, scrolling Special features: protection colour code is printed on inlay - very sensible and user-friendly

The nice graphics and difficult timing in SON OF BLAGGER fail to make up for the hero's plodding pace.