Blockbusters

Your Spectrum

Peter Shaw

BUSTING MAKES MAC FEEL GOOD Macsen Software and Central Television have now finished final arrangements for the release of a computer game based around the TV' series Blockbusters. The game itself consists of two players competing with each other to answer general questions selected from hundreds stored on cassette. Each correct answer extends the successful competitor's path across an on-screen matrix of four-by-four hexagons. The player who completes this path first wins that round... and the player who wins most rounds is the winner of the game. Get the picture? Players can set the number of rounds and the level of difficulty; the higher the difficulty level, the shorter the time allowed for answers by the onscreen clock. There's also a sound on/off feature. Blockbusters is also supported by the follow-up tape, Questionmaster - this allows the user to create a database of questions to be used within Blockbusters. Blockbusters is priced at £7.95 and Questionmaster is £5.95. If you're interested, give Macsen Software a ring on [redacted]. (Who ya gonna call? Ed.) (Blockbusters!! T.P.)

Crash

Use of Computer 80%

Graphics N/A

Playability 88%

Getting Started 78%

Addictiveness 83%

Value For Money 80%

Overall 82%

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Producer: Macsen Software Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £7.95 Language: Machine code Not long ago we reviewed a game based on the well known Central TV quiz show, which was released by Compusound. Unfortunately this was not properly licensed and Compusound have been forced to withdraw it. The version under review here is the official one. It is not the same program as that released by Compusound. The game is surely well enough known not to have to describe it in detail. Basically two players attempt to beat each other across a matrix of hexagons in a 4 by 4 shape. Each hexagon contains a letter of the alphabet. The players take turns to select a letter, at which point a question appears at the bottom of the screen, the initial letter of the answer being the selected hexagon letter. Either player may interrupt and answer it against the time limit. A successful answer results in the hexagon being coloured in the player's colour. The first to blaze a trail right across the playing space from top to bottom or from either side is the winner. A set of questions is automatically loaded with the game, but there are other question sets on tape which will be loaded if requested. Players may select from nine difficulty levels and on a series of games from 1 to 9. COMMENTS Control keys: A and L for interrupt keys, general inputs Keyboard play: responsive, fast response time Use of colour: sensible rather than exciting Graphics: hardly applies Sound: good tune, entry beeps and warning signal Skill levels: 9

I don't think we're giving much away by saying the answer's ROCKET - the official version of BLOCKBUSTERS.

Read it at Crash - The Online Edition