Personal Compuer Games


Psycho Shopper
By Mastertronic
Commodore Vic 20

 
Published in Personal Computer Games #11

Psycho Shopper

If you thought this would be an original game, relax - it's just another Frogger. The idea is to reach the supermarket. At the first stage this involves crossing a road with a granny in the middle - who is, of course, roaming from side to side hell-bent on your destruction.

The pedestrian crossings on the first screen flicker terribly though oddly enough the rest of the screen does not. Control is difficult as well and it is all too easy to get caught on the island in the middle of the road.

Using the crossings, you must avoid the granny and pick up five 10p pieces to escape to the road on the second screen. Here inflation makes five 20p pieces necessary and you're faced with six lanes of traffic and two old ladies.

Psycho Shopper

The third screen has a railway track, avoid the trains and a whole army of old ladies to collect 50p pieces (inflation again!) and you can then reach the supermarket.

Collect all your groceries, head for the checkout and, what do you know, the old dears are here again. There is a time limit on every screen but even so, the game doesn't provide much of a challenge.

The cost is the obvious thing in the game's favour but mere price cutting doesn't make for a good game. The graphics arc very jerky and what sound there is seems very restricted - I suppose you get what you pay for.

Psycho Shopper

Mastertronic's claim that this is a 'second generation' game is extravagant to say the least. If this really is the second generation of programmers, I hope we don't see a third.

Mind you, I wish *my* granny could move at that speed...

Steve Spittle

The first two screens are a very interesting twist on the old favourite Frogger, but they provided enough of a challenge to stop me getting any further.

Psycho Shopper

Unfortunately the movement was rather flickery, but this did not really make the game any less enjoyable. Overall, the graphics were clear and colourful.

The tune accompanying the game was very pleasant, and the other sound effects were also good, with plenty of beeps and bangs accompanying the play.

The game was really addictive and I wanted to return to it again and again. Its four different screens provide a long-lasting challenge... and for just £1.99!

Tony Takoushi

Why on earth this program needs 8K of expansion is beyond me!

The game is slow, boring and looks terrible. The big point of a £2 price tag is significant to the extent that the game is substandard and holds no interest at all.

Simon Chapman

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