Mount Challenge

Crash

Use of Computer 70%

Graphics 57%

Playability 65%

Getting Started 65%

Addictive Qualities 88%

Value For Money 80%

Overall 76%

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Producer: Aasvoguelle Productions Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £6.95 Language: Machine code Author: Bill Percy I would like to think that this game was inspired by the Shropshire hills that surround its author's home but the deadly creatures and unpleasant plant life found in this game are thankfully not to be found on the Long Mynd, at least not in such numbers. Mount Challenge is an unusual game. The player guides Professor Burk to the top of the mountain. For the sake of scientific research he must battle his way to the top while being under constant threat from the nasties that live on the mount. Even the little birdies tucked up in their nests are lethal. Burk must be guided from one ledge to another (in reality, platforms of varying length and colour). The length of a ledge can be described in terms of blocks or steps since this is how Burk moves, either one or two steps across or by one or three jumps up or down. So to play the game you consider the ledge that Burk is on and try to map out a route in advance. If Burk is on a green ledge then he cannot move at all until the energy is turned on, and then only one step at a time. If a ledge is red then movement is by one step at a time with the energy off or by two steps with it on. If you are one step from the edge of a red ledge with the energy on and you jump to the side then you are going to jump one step too far into who knows what. On some ledges monsters await you, attacking as soon as you move onto their level, at which point escape at full speed is the only course and under that kind of pressure sorting out whether you should have the energy on or off is very difficult. The game is played over 160 screens, the mountain being 20 screens high with the other screens taking up its various faces. Some faces have no ledges so any attempt to jump onto them will be met with mild disappointment. Getting to the mountain's summit takes a great deal of time because the author has laid so many traps. More often than not you think you've found a way up to the next level only to discover yourself trapped because the colour of the ledge you land on prevents you jumping back. While the game does not provide a score as such this can measured by noting how many levels you have managed to scale. Three lives are allowed and in the very likely event of your losing one you find yourself back on the screen on which you died but back at the place of entry. On the B side of the tape there is a pretty standard dominoes game - generous chap our Bill. The game is only available mail-order, and you can contact Bill on 069 46 345. COMMENTS Control keys: Q/A up/down, I/P left/right, W for energy on/off Joystick: Kempston but the game is harder to play Keyboard play: responsive Use of colour: generally very simple Graphics: smooth and simple, Burk is rather ungainly Sound: nice tune Skill levels: 2 if you consider the Kempston Lives: 3 Screens: 160