Games V contains two impressive games, Sleuth and Roulette, both for the 16K ZX81. Both of the programs incorporate a 'fast load' system. This effective technique means that loading time is cut from five minutes to about 60 seconds.
In Sleuth, one to six peope can play at being private detectives. The winner is the player who correctly identifies the murderer guilty of the crime committed at the infamous Roxy Club. The computer sets the scene and circumstances of the crime. There are fifteen suspects and a total of sixteen clues in form of questions which may be asked of the suspects. The problem is that each suspect will only answer certain questions and will also lie in certain circumstances.
Only one accusation is allowed per player and a pen and paper to keep a record of the suspect's response is essential. It takes a long time to sift through the evidence and then deduce the identity of the killer. I was absorbed for two hours... and still got the answer wrong!
I would have liked the facility to print out the suspect list and the list of questions, that option was not included in the review copy. Each game is different and takes only a few seconds to set up. All in all, Sleuth is an absorbing, if frustrating, family game.
Roulette is also a game for up to six players, with the computer as banker. To start, each player is given 100 francs and enters his or her name. Up to ten stakes are permitted in each game and bets are placed utilising a very effective display of the roulette board. All the normal bets can be placed, from any individual number paying 35 to 1, to rouge, noir, pair, impair, manque and passe paying even odds. The prompts are in French to create the right atmosphere. If your French is anything like mine you'll need the instruction sheet at hand for the first few games to give you the translations!
1st April 1984
