Personal Compuer Games


Catastrophe

Author: Samantha Hemens
Publisher: Mirrorsoft
Machine: Commodore 64

 
Published in Personal Computer Games #13

Catastrophe

Here's one of those simple games that's really addictive. Playing against either the computer or another person, your task is to build up a block of flats to withstand the various catastrophes that occur.

You guide a helicopter, rotors spinning, to where a barge awaits with a block of masonry, pick it up and place it carefully on the already laid base of the building.

Once you've done this you repeat the process until, in mid-flight, you're stopped by the warning of a major catastrophe.

Catastrophes

There are four kinds of catastrophe, earthquake, flood, hurricane and electrical storm, all of which are pretty devastating. The way you build your block will determine what damage it can withstand from each of the disasters.

Audible warnings are given for three of the four dangers, and the lighthouse at the back of the screen flashes when an electrical storm is imminent.

The scene is set at the beginning of a day as a twinkling sun rises on the right hand side of your screen and travels across it. When it reaches the far left of the screen the day is over.

Catastrophes

Each day you are given a target to reach, and if you fail to do so a message appears on the screen: 'Contractor's Failure', This tells you how many catastrophe's you've braved and how many points you got.

If you manage to complete six days you receive a similar message of your success. However, this doesn't occur very often, unlike the natural disasters. which happen at least three times a day!

The one criticism I have is that you can't get rid of the little nagging tune that's played, without also getting rid of the audible warnings. But for all those budding builders out there I'd get a contract out on this one.

Adrian Ogden

Catastrophes

In my opinion, the title perfectly describes the game. After my first go, I fell asleep.

The graphics are nothing spectacular. No detail on the helicopter or lighthouse. No beautiful or happy catchy tunes, but just a few simple strings of notes and a chirrrrr for an aeroplane.

The only good thing about this game is the fact that two people can play against each other.

Bob Wade

Catastrophes

I found this an immensely simple game which I just couldn't stop playing. The challenge to defeat the powers of nature led me to survive two earthquakes, two hurricanes, six electric storms and numerous floods before finally succumbing to the will of the weather.

The frenetic building required, along with the strategic placing of bricks, kept my full concentration and I cursed, as would any navvy, at the onset of foul weather.

Fraser Marshall

It's nice to see a game in which you have to be constructive rather than destructive. It may appeal to children but I can't see it having any lasting interest.

Samantha Hemens

Other Commodore 64 Game Reviews By Samantha Hemens


  • Ghostbusters Front Cover
    Ghostbusters
  • Fire Quest Front Cover
    Fire Quest
  • Suicide Express Front Cover
    Suicide Express