ZX Computing


Caverns Of Kontonia
By Atlantis
Spectrum 48K

 
Published in ZX Computing #28

Caverns Of Kontonia

This is an underground caverns maze type game whch has some interesting features. By scrutinising the inlay card I discovered that I was searching the caverns beneath the surface of the planet Kotonia in an effort to find the key and the sword and then escape.

The screen is simply designed with an action window in the centre and pictures of objects above it. Once you find and pick up one of these objects, the word "held" appears beside it and it is automatically used in situations where it is required.

This means that the 'trial and error' method of playing this kind of adventure game is negated and your task is simplified to finding and collecting objects in order to progress.

Caverns Of Kontonia

Some objects wear out and have to be replaced periodically. The animation is reasonable and playing by either keyboard or joystick is responsive. Colour is well used and sound is unobtrusive.

Action is rather uninspired, the axing of some cute little alien is done by a disembodied chopper not attached to your character at all! However, the animation of the various sprites is acceptable.

There is not a lot to say about this game; against it are the factors that it is uninspired, limited in scope and relatively plain in presentation. On the positive side it that it is cheap, relatively easy to play and interesting enough to provide pleasurable hours of entertainment.

I would recommend it to relative newcomers, players who find the Wally games incomprehensible or games men and women who still think Space Invaders is difficult.