Whodunnit?

Crash

Use of Computer 52%

Graphics N/A

Playability 58%

Getting Started 55%

Addictive Qualities 48%

Value For Money 53%

Overall 53%

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Producer: C.C.S. Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £2.99 Language: BASIC Author: G.L. Griffin Whodunnit? requires no clues to guess what the game is about! You have to lead the investigation into the brutal murder of Professor Carpenter, the famous Oxbridge scientist, who was murdered in Oxbridge at mid-day. There are six suspects with names whose initials conveniently fall out as AA, BB, CC, DD, EE and FF, each of a different profession. All the suspects were seen and questioned in separate towns at varying distances from Oxbridge and at different times of the day. You must work out who has and who hasn't got an alibi. All you know is one of the two murder weapons and one of the two missing valuable objects. To make a successful accusation you must get several facts correct, the murderer's name, his profession and the identity of the second murder weapon and that of the second missing valuable object. Whodunnit? may be played by between one and four players. At the start a two-screen form is provided which may be copied down on paper or printed out if a printer is attached. To play successfully this form should be used. The game takes the form of single questions and answered facts. To start you off a few random facts are given about the suspects, which the players fill in on their forms. Thus one might discover, for instance, that CC is a clergyman and the clergyman is bow-legged. Gradually, a picture of each suspect can be built up. Play continues along the lines of asking each player a quiz question which generally take the form of simple intelligence test questions. If the question is answered correctly, the player may ask a fact of one of the suspects. Elligible questions include the first and second weapon found on him, the first and second valuable object, town where he was seen, time of alibi, his fastest means of transport, a personal fact about him. Under the heading of personal fact come several important items which may help identify his profession, means of transport and its speed. After this the player is allowed to make an accusation if desired. Between each player's turn there is a free fact given out about one of the suspects or the distance of a town from Oxbridge. Thus, if FF lives in Nether Denton which is 120 miles from the scene of the crime, was seen at 5 pm and owns a bicycle with a speed of 10 mph, obviously he couldn't have committed the crime. If you want a quicker game, the quiz questions may be ommitted. COMMENTS Control keys: general inputs Keyboard play: reasonably fast Use of colour: very limited Graphics: text only Sound: entry beeps etc. Skill levels: 1 Features: 1-4 players

Sinclair User

Gilbert Factor 8/10

John Lambert 8/10

Memory: 48K Price: £2.99 This excellent program is a simulation of the popular board game 'Cluedo'. It is, however, much more than just a simulation. Events, personalities and objects are multiplied so that far more logic and careful thought are needed to reveal all the vital information about the suspects and to solve the murder. It resembles the kind of logic problems which appear in puzzle magazines, but, since you can question the computer repeatedly the less logically-minded will not be frustrated continually as they can gather as much information as they need, simply taking longer to solve the puzzle. The mystery is different every time you play, with a random combination of the various elements and can be enjoyed equally by players of all skill levels. Up to four people can compete to track the murderer. The only disadvantage is that the screen layout is very dull. Illustrations at relevant points would improve its appearance radically and would hold the attention of the players even longer.

Read it at Sinclair User Magazine Online