C&VG


Labyrinth

Publisher: Acornsoft
Machine: BBC Model B

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #41

Labyrinth

Several companies in the software market have consistently produced first class software over the past few years. Acornsoft at one time could be included in this elite group. Then, inexplicably, the quality of their games went downhill.

But Acornsoft seem to be back to their old winning ways with their newest release of games. Their most recent, Labyrinth, is no exception.

Although it's a maze game, with a strong influence of Berzerk, it loses none of its originality or attraction in my eyes.

Labyrinth

The graphics are very good, as in the animation with no hint of flickering - a very common fault in many Acornsoft games, especially JCB Digger.

You control a little character called Mork, who is trying to find his way through a huge labyrinth with seven dangerous and magical levels. You have to have a good memory to guide him through this monster maze and a good deal of skill to manoeuvre Mork, and the boulder he uses to crush the monsters and ghouls, around the maze without being killed or running out of energy.

Before Mork can move onto the next level, he must capture the magic crystal which opens up the gateway to the next floor of the labyrinth.

Labyrinth

The maze is filled with nine different types of monsters, all of which act differently and have to be killed in a multitude of different ways. Some of them, like the evil threshers, change colour, multiply and leave a trail of poisonous mushrooms behind them.

The easiest way to kill the monsters is by crushing them with Mork's boulder, but you'll have to make sure that none of the monsters crush you with the boulder.

You'll have to keep an eye on your energy level which is displayed in the top corner of the screen. If it suddenly turns red, Mork will die, losing one of his three lives unless you eat some energy-giving fruit straight away.

Labyrinth is a well thought out and designed program - definitely up to the standard of Acornsoft's Elite.