|
Bignose
Software
48K
cassette/disk
1
Player
Joystick
|
 |
Author Paul Lay is a regular Page 6 contributor
and was responsible for the excellent 'Freeway Ace' in Issue 16.
This time he makes the progression into the hard commercial world
with an all machine code arcade type game entitled SPRONG.
In SPRONG you must guide a pogo-jumping character
through an incredible 50 screen adventure to claim the elusive
'Golden Pogostick'. You traverse each screen from left to right,
leaping across various assorted platforms of all shapes, forms and
sizes.
The game opens up with a neat little title screen
(which then becomes Screen 1 of the game itself) accompanied by a
jazzed-up version of the song 'Danny Boy' - an unusual but
nonetheless well orchestrated musical choice. Like all theme music
it becomes annoying after a short while and can be turned off if
desired.
SPRONG has a certain cartoon feel to it with every
single screen possessing it's own unique background scenery ranging
from houses of little towns or villages, wooded countryside,
underground caverns and a host of other artistically drawn designs.
Obstacles include moving platforms, raging fires, lava flows, lazer
beams, acid rain, lightning, helicopters, meteors etc. and critical
timing is required to jump your way past them all. You are limited
in your jumping ability, but pressing the fire button gives you
extra 'oomph' to leap those long distances.
If, by some minor miracle, you make it through all
50 screens you are then treated to a 'Graphics Spectacular'
depicting that illustrious Golden Pogostick.
SPRONG shares certain similarities with English
Software's KISSIN' KOUSINS. However, I must stress that these
similarities are only superficial and SPRONG boasts vastly superior
graphics and playability. Paul has made exceptional use of the
Atari's colour palette and could show many Atari programmers a thing
or two in this respect. Some of them seem to think the Atari is
limited to it's four default colours!
I would be lying if I were to say that SPRONG was
easy to play. It rates pretty high in the difficulty league, but
it's addictive enough to keep you coming back for more. Plenty of
variety too - how many other games have 50 different screens? A
splendid first-time effort!
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