Usurper

Micro Adventurer

Tony Bridge

CHANCE VERSUS SKILL MICRO: Spectrum 16K PRICE: £6.00 FORMAT: Cassette SUPPLIER: Assassin Software, [redacted] From Assassin Software (what a charming name), comes Usurper, billed as a multi-player adventure. The program allows one to six people to play, and the package includes (photocopied) map/board, which may be used if desired. The colourful title page tells us that Usurper was "created by Kroll-Greck-Drax-Rick" with "artwork by Jewels", and "produced by Mr L Chance". No, I don't know what it all means, either. The game starts with the protagonists all together in the Village Inn. Two options are open to the players at this point - to gamble, or eat. The latter costs a certain number of gold pieces, and the player may choose how pricey he wants to eat. The former is a good way of bumping up the purse - the player may wager any amount of the available gold pieces. There seems to be slightly more chance of winning in the early stages, but maybe the odds become stacked against the player who gets too wealthy later in the game. After the inn, a number of routes are open to the players. Choosing from a menu, they may go to the Plains, the Mountains, the Temple, and so on. No wearisome tramping through the countryside, the player is instantly transported to the chosen place. There, he may find an appropriate monster, desert nomad or other charming being waiting and then a decision to stand and fight, or discreetly move away, has to be made. At the Village, men may be bought for the journey (for the princely sum of five GPs), and the number of followers will help decide the outcome of the battle, which may take several game-turns. That's about it - the game may be played out on the supplied map, which makes it all rather more believable, but in the end, I was longing for less of the chance factor, and more of the skill in the fighting sequence.