Games Computing


Athlete

Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Buffer Micro Limited
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Games Computing #11

Athlete (Buffer Micro Limited)

Athlete features five events. These are the 100 metres, 400 metres, 110 metres hurdles, 400 metres hurdles and the hammer throw.

At first the computer displays an option of either choosing if you want to use a joystick, do training mode, or play. In training mode you must choose which event you want to try and as in play mode you must input your skill level. In all running events you face two competitors, whose speed differs according to skill level. At the bottom of the screen are two gauges, one for distance left and one for power used. If the power bar reaches its full extent your athlete will collapse and consequently lose the race. Because of this any extra power used must be balanced by a loss of energy.

The hurdles are the same as running except that you must jump over the hurdles at the right moment. On the hammer a skill level must be typed in. Then a man rotates in front of you and the appropriate key must be pressed at the right time to make the man throw.

The game is written partly in BASIC and partly in machine code. The graphics are fair, the hammer throwing is poor but the running good. I found the running too easy, but hurdling was hard. Hammer throwing was easy on level one but hard on level 10. The game is good.