Wender Bender

Crash

Use of Computer 71%

Graphics 77%

Playability 75%

Getting Started 77%

Addictive Qualities 73%

Value For Money 75%

Overall 78%

Unknown

Producer: Ranks High Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £7.50 Language: Machine code This game was reviewed way back in issue 9 under the name Block Busters. A rather sad story is associated with it. When the author originally applied for a licence to use the name he rather got the impression that it was not needed, but the owners of the name must have changed their minds because they granted rights in it to an associate of the author who then was able to claim that only he had the right to use the title of the TV programme. As a result, Ranks High changed the name to Wender Bender, which is substantially the same as the author's original game with a few differences. Firstly the blocks have been changed from the flat honeycomb shape to a more acceptable 'W' shape. Another improvement incorporated into this release is the availability of additional question tapes an extra one is already included with the program itself and others are available for £2.50. Most people are probably familiar with this sort of game. The main display shows a block of 25 Ws arranged 5 by 5. Each node has a letter in it and the questions are based around that letter. For example a player asking for the block with letter R may get 'What R is a contest of speed': answer 'Race'. Not all of the questions are as easy as that, in fact the quiz is a good test not only of general knowledge but of spelling as well since the answers must be spelt correctly when they are input. At the start of the game you can select a two-player game or one player can pit wits with the computer. The colour selected by a player dictates whether he or she tries to form a line of Ws from top to bottom of the screen, or from left to right. For every correct answer you give the associated node turns into the colour of your side. Whoever answered the last question correctly will get first call on the next. Since the object of the game is to try and form a bridge of nodes between the two sides one would normally pick letters that are adjacent to each other but you could block your opponent instead. The computer keeps a score for both players and allows a game for as many matches as you please. COMMENTS Control keys: very simple Joystick: N/A Use of colour: neat and bright Graphics: much improved but still with Spectrum text Sound: lots of bleeps and a very sweet tune Skill levels: nine Lives: N/A Screens: N/A