Chuckman

Sinclair User

Gilbert Factor 8/10

Memory: 48K Price: £5.95 Joystick: Kempston Instructions to games which appear on-screen should be clear and uncluttered, especially if they are there to act as some inducement to play. In Chuckman from Add-on for the 48K Spectrum they are guaranteed to give you a headache if you look at them for too long, as the densely-worded page is backed by a multi-coloured checkerboard which flashes and changes about twice a second. That makes it difficult to absorb them without reaching for the aspirin. Never mind, that is the only criticism of an otherwise excellent program. The Chuckman is a skateboarding bomb disposal expert who must search the winding paths of a huge maze to find a toolkit. With that he can defuse the ticking time-bomb located somewhere in the labyrinth. That is not his only problem, since he needs to find food to maintain his energy, wheelbarrows of sand to fill the pits which block the way, and roller skates to ward off the giant boots which threaten his progress. A shovel is also handy to hem in the stomping boots. Instructions apart, Chuckman is a finely-crafted arcade-action program. The pixel graphics are smooth and well-designed, with a fast response to the keyboard commands. There is also a Kempston joystick option. The Chuckman is a quirky little figure who, if you stop moving him, will stand hands on hips and tapping his foot. There are various status indicators beside the main maze screen and a map is provided, though it will show only part of the full labyrinth and will drain energy if used. The game should have very broad appeal.

Read it at Sinclair User Magazine Online

Crash

Use of Computer 72%

Graphics 80%

Playability 84%

Getting Started 71%

Addictive Qualities 82%

Value For Money 82%

Overall 79%

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Producer: C.C.I. Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £5.00 Language: Machine code Author: K. Baker Chuckman is based on the popular arcade game and bears a faint resemblance to Maziacs. Chuckman roars around a yellow maze on a skateboard, desperately trying to find and defuse eight timebombs before the time limit runs out. The maze is considerably larger than the playing area, although a general view of the maze immediately around Chuckman can be selected. Time bombs can only be defused once a toolkit has been collected, and these are dotted at random about the maze, like the time-bombs. Equally there are holes in the ground which cannot be passed over safely, although these may be filled in if you collect a wheelbarrow first. Food is also available and must be taken frequently if your energy level isn't to fall to dangerously low levels. The other major hazards are giant boots which tromp around killing you off. If you collect a spade first, it may be used to dig a hole, across which the boots cannot pass. When all eight time-bombs have been defused, another eight will appear. Between different games the maze is randomly generated. COMMENTS Control keys: Q/A up/down, C/B left/right, SPACE = view maze, CAPS SHIFT=dig pit Joystick: Kempston (one reviewer noted that 'dig' didn't work) Keyboard play: very responsive Use of colour: good Graphics: good, smooth, detailed and big Sound: very little Skill levels: 3 Lives:

Spades, wheelbarrows, toolkits and bombs - get your skates on save the world from stomping boots.