Computer Gamer


Action Pack
By Alligata
Spectrum 48K/128K/+2/+3

 
Published in Computer Gamer #20

Action Pack

This is a collection of four Spectrum titles on one tape, available only through branches of WHSmith. The games are Show Jumping, Labyrinthion, Son Of Blagger and Jack Charlton's Match Fishing.

Show Jumping sees you trying to manoeuvre your horse over a series of fences within a specific time limit and, preferably, with you still in the saddle. There are a number of courses and several people can play at once. It is not an easy game to master, though. Apart from the four speeds of your horse (from stand to canter), you must also get just the right angle of approach from the twelve available. You can collect faults for your horse knocking down a fence or refusing, and three refusals mean an automatic disqualification.

Labyrinthion is an arcade adventure that sees you trying to collect the nine parts of the scroll that show you the way out of the maze. Other items must be collected as you move from sector to sector and there is the usual horde of monsters trying to kill you. These must be killed off with one of the variety of weapons available to you. The game is keyboard only and suffers from being too difficult initially.

Son Of Blagger in one of the first platform games that I can remember playing but is none the worse for that. Slippery Sid is trying to collect golden keys from the midst of a security complex. All the old favourites are here - one way and collapsing platforms, chutes and bridges that open and close.

Match Fishing is an unusual simulation and one that does not immediately spring to mind as being suitable for a computer game. The aim is to get the largest catch in a set period of time against other competitors. This is done by surveying your peg and then choosing the appropriate rod and bait etc. Is likely to appeal to angles only.

A reasonable selection of games, nothing outstanding, nothing terribly bad.