Crazy Crane

Sinclair User

Gilbert Factor 5/10

Richard Price 5/10

UNHAPPY HOOKER? Memory: 16K Price: £5.50 Crazy Cranes from Voyager Software has a straightforward arcade concept behind it. The player must perform the same task over and over again and, as the score builds up, speed increases and other dangers are introduced. The screen depicts a dock crane and a loading bay beneath it. The crane's arm stretches out over the water and the player must move the hook along the arm. Ships loaded with several different types of cargo move across the screen toward the crane and the cargoes are hooked by lowering the winch. When five items are safely stowed in the bay the next level is reached. If the player misses an item it will disintegrate on the edge of the dock. After a few levels missiles cut across the dock and sever the hook. The graphics are drawn simply, though they are adequate given the restricted scope of the game. Like many of these repetitive games, the task can become compulsive though the lack of real variation counts against it.

Read it at Sinclair User Magazine Online

C&VG (Computer & Video Games)

SIMPLY MAGNETIC Working on the docks used to be so easy. You had been using the same crane to unload the ship's cargo for years and it had become second nature. You hardly had to think about it at all. But you didn't count on your boss buying the latest, up-to-the-minute cornputerised crane. It looked much easier to control than the old crane. No more oily gear sticks, no more buttons to push or noisy engines to listen to all day. Sounds much simpler, doesn't it? There is one small problem, though. The ships used to come up from behind the harbour wall and dock themselves next to your crane. But, because of the huge advance in the technology at your dockyard, you're expected to unload the ships while they are still moving! You have to move your electromagnetic crane to meet the ship, drop the magnet, take the cargo off and deposit it on the quayside. You have three lives in which to get as much cargo into the warehouse. On the fourth sheet, military warships come into the harbour but, unfortunately, your crane's electronics have confused the warships' computers and they start firing missiles across the water towards you. Crazy Crane is available from Voyager Software for the Spectrum 16 or 48K and costs £5.50.