|
Atlantis Software
£2.99 cassette
1 player
1 joystick
|
 |
Here's one for all you platform addicts out there
who have been waiting patiently for a good old-fashioned exercise in
monster bashing.
It has become something of a tradition in computer
games to present a completely unbelievable story which, supposedly,
explains the purpose of the game and why, indeed, you should want to
play it at all! Not so in PANIK!, the concept is uncomplicated and
the documentation does not attempt to persuade you otherwise. If you
can remember the days of Broderbund's Apple Panic then you'll know
exactly what this one is about. As any Crummydore owner will tell
you, the only sure way to dispose of a monster is to dig a trap,
wait until he falls into it and then hit him over the head with your
trusty shovel!
I couldn't help thinking that I'd seen these
particular monsters before somewhere – possibly in Mastertronic's
'One Man and his Droid'. Unfortunately they are coloured in a
similar manner to the man you are controlling, leading occasionally
to utter confusion! Red monsters will be killed by falling through
just one trap, but yellow and green nasties require two and three
traps respectively, which calls for some nifty tactics in order to
outwit them. Naturally, they are just as keen to see the back of you
so it's slightly reassuring to know that you have two additional
lives in hand.
Each screen consists of several 'brick' platforms
interconnected in the familiar fashion by ladders of varied length.
Nothing new here. A time limit has been implemented in the guise of
an oxygen level which depletes steadily until your demise. Obviously
the idea is to complete the necessary task before this happens, thus
obtaining additional bonus points to put you in contention for a
place in the high-score table.
Atlantis software have come up with an
unspectacular revamp of a classic theme. Not really my cup of tea,
but platform enthusiasts will not be disappointed.
Paul Rixon
top
