Computer Gamer


Super Robin Hood
By Codemasters
Amstrad CPC464

 
Published in Computer Gamer #24

Super Robin Hood

I thought I'd never see another game like this again. The classic 2D ladders and ramps, screen to screen scenario. It has been done to death. But Code Masters has been grave robbing again.

Sarcasm aside, Super Robin Hood is a standard example of the sort of game that three or four years ago was appearing at full price and has been produced ad nauseum by the cheapie brigade ever since. Now even they have run out of ideas. So it was with some interest that I started to set it up.

This type of game is familiar to all but the newest game players. A screen is presented with levels that are connected by lifts, ladders and walkways - both stationary and moving. Objects need to be acquired and nasties avoided. Exits to other screens are sometimes blocked. The object of the game is to either collect a certain number of objects or get to a room.

Super Robin Hood

In this case it is the latter - you play Robin Hood who is attempting to rescue the lady of his dreams - Maid Marian. You move around in all the usual ways; running, jumping, crouching and firing. All this is in order to fight your way through the evil Sheriff of Nottingham's castle.

The game's graphics are very good and the moving objects large and colourful. The music is the usual rubbishy stuff that comes with this sort of game, although mercifully it can be turned off.

The big gimmick on this game is digitised speech. However, the Amstrad sound generator isn't very good and the program needs to put the words on screen too for you to stand any chance of understanding them. Again, this facility can be removed.

On the whole this is the sort of game that you take or leave as you see fit. I'd probably leave it, though there's a hardened core of players who still think that Miner 2049er - or its rip-off, Manic Miner - remains the state of the art.