Home Computing Weekly


Fourth Encounter
By Sparklers
Commodore Vic 20

 
Published in Home Computing Weekly #116

This game is on EMI's budget label, sparklers and retails at £2.50. Even better than that, it's for the Vic. The scenario is tediously familiar and involves protecting your planet from power-crazed aliens who are intent on enslaving everyone. You pilot your trusty space ship and must repulse the waves of meanies. Four waves of nasties attack you. each with a different type of alien and different tactics.

The first three waves are the usual downward moving objects with different patterns of movement and means of attack. The last screen of reminiscent of Jeff Minter's Matrix and involves attack from both the horizontal and vertical axes. This last screen is certainly the trickiest. Each screen has four levels of difficulty, offering a significantly different challenge. You can choose any of the four screens to play, which ensures that you can try all of the game.

The graphics of this game are pretty fair with some interesting animation on screen two. The action is fast and challenging. The choice of colours is sensible and ensures that no problems occur due to mismatching.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this game. The plot certainly doesn't break new ground and the graphics are no better than average. But the program is fast and slick showing quality programming. Add to that the low price and my overall conclusion must be that this game is excellent value and well worth a close look.

A.W.

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