Zzap


Tower Of Babel
By Rainbird
Amiga 500

 
Published in Zzap #63

Tower Of Babel

The Shinarians built a tower, the purpose of which was not to get a good view of The Pleasure Beach but to communicate with God. Unfortunately, God must have been busy, he never returned the calls. However, the ziggurat was co tall it attracted attention from beyond the clouds: a Zantorian cruiser just happened to be passing and, unable to ignore the enormous construction, came down for a better look.

Deciding the Shinarians needed a spot of hi-tech help they left behind three spider-like robots - a Zapper, a Pusher and a Grabber - to assist with the tower's construction.

However, as time marched on and the tower grew taller, the three robots became homesick (ahhh) and decided it was time to leave. To do so, they would have to scale the very pinnacle of the tower in order to communicate with the Zantorians.

Tower Of Babel

Meanwhile, the Shinarians had become possessive of the robots and were determined that they should not leave. They built obstacles and set traps in the tower in an effort to stop the robots reaching the pinnacle. The robots sussed the situation and destroyed the Shinarians... but they still have to get to the top of the tower if they want to get home.

Viewed through their eyes, you guide the three robots, either individually or simultaneously, as they strive to negotiate tower sections in a bid to reach the summit. Each section requires the completion of a particular task for success, varying from destroying a single object to possibly collection 10 klondikes (robot power-pods) and destroying 20 objects within 100 seconds. Opposing Pushers and Zappers, Proximity Mines and Time Bombs exist throughout the tower to make your life difficult. Blocks can be pushed around and used for protection or to deflect Zappers' lasers. Landlizards, Hoppers, Watchers and Worms all wander around getting in the way. Lifts abound throughout sections, strategic use of which is usually necessary to solving problems.

Four cameras - north, south, east and west of the tower - with the capability to move left/right and zoon in/out are used to assess sections, watch events, look for hidden dangers and plan strategies.

A most interesting aspect of Tower Of Babel is the inclusion of an in-built game designer through which you can create your own towers to try and fox your friends.

Tower Of Babel gets tougher as you progress, there is no luck involved in success, the game is pure logic. An absorbing, sometimes frustrating but nevertheless brilliant strategy game. And not a hanging garden in sight.