The Acornsoft Hits
Volume 2
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Right, before I start I would just like to say a few words "hello, tomorrow,
goodbye and thank you very much" arrhh that feels much better.
Right seriously, looking over that games reviews that have come up in 8BS I
have noticed that I seem to have been the only person to have given a game a
seriously bad games review, so at this point in time I would imagine that
Steve Hanson is probably getting quite worried (do not worry Steve "Ha Ha Ha
Ha")
Right the next point I would like to make clear is especially for E3Y who in a
later issue felt that my review of TimeSlip was overly critical (If you are
reading this E3Y I would be grateful if you could let me know where you
actually found the passwords to enter so that I can actually try it myself), I
would just like to point out that if I gave a game a wonderful review, when I
actually thought it wasn't deserved and people spent money on that game, to me
that would seem like fraud. If you do not agree with my review of the games
that is your choice, you are quite welcome to review them yourself !!!!!!!!!!
Right I feel better now I've got that off my chest!!
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* Pop quiz *
* Question. Can you name the year Superior Software started ?? *
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Acornsoft Hits Volume 2 (Compilation Disc)
Starship Command
Arcadians
Meteors
Labyrinth
Available from:
Superior Software
PO Box 6
Brigg
South Humberside
DN20 9NH
Tel. 01652 658585
Prices:
Original : £11.95
8BS Members: £ 6.00 (Remember to quote your 8BS user ID.)
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* Answer. Superior Software started in the autumn of 1982 *
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Starship Command:
Author: Peter J.M. Irvin
As the Captain of a battle starship, it is your duty to fight off invading
enemy spaceships. Before going into combat, you are given a briefing on the
facilities available on your battleship.
Size : Unlimited
Game Play:
This game is very addictive, it is just a shoot-em-up and it is quite
difficult to get to grips with, not the controls but you have to find a
strategy, this is the problem ( finding one that works ). This game has a
very simple idea shoot anything that moves which seems to be what makes it
quite addictive.
Graphics:
The graphics are quite good only black and white but do you need and other
colours in space, very smooth game play, only slows when the screen is packed
with aliens but at that point who cares because you know you are going to die.
Sound:
Very basic, lots of beeps and bangs that is all.
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* Pop Quiz *
* Question. Can you name the first four products ? *
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Arcadians:
Author: Oriando
We are the Arcadians! Our mission: to destroy all aliens... The Arcadians
chant as they fly in convoy overhead. Without warning some of them suddenly
swoop down towards you: take aim and fire while avoiding their deadly
dive-bombing tactics.
Size: Unlimited
Game Play:
Well what can you say about this game, one of the all time classic arcade
game conversions. A very simple shoot-em-up but this game will have you
addicted for hours. Even if you don't play is for months, as soon as you start
you will be hooked again. Well done Oriando!!
Graphics:
Very good mode 2 graphics, colours used to the full. Well it's just a
brilliant conversion, very smooth great.
Sound:
Nice little tune to begin with but then it's just beeps and bangs again, but
hey what else do you need with this sort of game.
Meteors:
Author: Neil (Good Name) Raine
Steer your laser-ship through a hail of meteors smashing them with your laser
bolts as they hurtle towards you on all sides. Avoid being hit by the missiles
from hostile flying saucers which fire at you as they pass. Your ship is
equipped with as many laser bolts as you can fire and as a last resort you can
escape through hyperspace.
Size: Unlimited
Game Play:
Again this is another excellent conversion from a classic arcade game. The
outline graphics run smoothly across the screen and there is virtually no
speed loss on the Master at least. Classic shoot-em-up fun which will last for
hours. This game will never die with any shoot-um-up fans. Dam good fun if you
only have a short time to play, straight into the action with a never ending
supply of dam rocks.
Sound:
Beeps and bangs, well what else can you say about a shoot-um-up, what else do
you need in a shoot-um-up.
Labyrinth:
Author: Michael Mathison
Guide Mork through the labyrinth, eating fruit to replenish his dwindling
energy supply. Crush the Tiger Moths, shoot the Flitterbugs, dodge the
Threshers and if you are not too exhausted find and collect the magic crystals
which lead to new and more challenging levels of the labyrinth.
Size: 7 Levels
Game Play:
This is another great game from Acornsoft, if you like maze games this must
rate as one of the best in my opinion. The graphics are good and the smooth
scrolling of the individual screen of the game are very quick which does not
interfere with your game play. You have nine different creatures to shoot or
crush and lots of different fruit to chomp on all the way through the game to
keep your energy levels up. The further into the game you get the harder the
creatures are to kill.
Sound:
The sound is a bit more interesting than the other games but not quite as
good as Bonjovi's Slippery When Wet, but hey this is a BBC after all.
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* Answer. Galaxy Birds, Space Fighter, Centibug, Invaders. *
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Overall Verdict
This is a must for any collection, if you only have a short period of time to
play a shoot-um-up then the first three will quench your thirst for destroying
numerous creatures very quickly ( You Sadist ), on the other hand if you wish
to get your brain cells working then Labyrinth will do just that.