C&VG


Venture
By CBS Electronics
Coleco Vision Games System

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #27

Venture

One of the big surprises when the Colecovision went on sale in the US last year was the immediate success of Venture.

CBS had forked out literally millions of dollars to buy the rights to hit arcade games like Zaxxon and Donkey Kong and yet, out-selling them all was Exidy's minor arcade success.

The good news for Intellivision owners is that the game is now available for the master component.

Venture

This game must rate as one of the cleanest conversions I have come across from one system to another, which bodes well for Intel owners if Coleco decide to convert more from their exciting range of titles.

Almost every detail is exact - from graphics to sound effects.

The game is quite similar to Atari's Berzerk - though much more fun with lots of extra features to keep you guessing.

You play the part of Winky who searches several monster-inhabited chambers for treasure.

Armed with his trusty bow Winky can pick up bonus points by killing the monsters who are trying to stop him from getting the treasure.

Once the treasure has been bagged our hero must make a hasty exit - back to the hallway.

Then he can move on to a new room and continue his search for more treasure.

When the treasure has been taken from all the rooms Winky goes onto a new level where the nasties are even nastier though the treasure is much more valuable.

The bounty from each successfully completed mission is displayed on an interim screen with question marks representing that which remains in possession of the chamber monsters.

This gives the game that addictive touch. You want to see all those treasures displayed on Winky's screen!

One slight disappointment with Venture is that when you complete the fourth chamber you go back again to the first. Although the challenge of finding the extra treasure and solving the riddle is not impaired, it would have been better to get a new chamber every time.

The graphics in Venture are not stunning, but they are adequate, and the game does not suffer as a result.

It's nice to see some good quality games for Intellivision in the CBS range and this is certainly one of the best.

Venture is a thoroughly absorbing game. You will need to move swiftly, plan your direction carefully, and keep a speedy finger on the fire button to succeed.

Its multi-level challenge provides a constant incentive to get further into the game.

Venture is manufactured by CBS and is in the shops now at £29.95.

Verdict

Superior to many of the games in Mattel's own range.