Personal Computer News


Spaceman Sid
By English
BBC Model B

 
Published in Personal Computer News #087

SPACEMAN SID

Sid is out for a Sunday drive in his canary yellow buggy. He is not motoring through England green and pleasant but on the surface of planet Tribos. The Tribos road system is non-existent and the natives far from friendly, so Sid must prepare for a bump and hectic ride.

Reminiscent of Moon Buggy, spaceman Sid bombs along the bumpy surface in a six-wheeled vehicle.

It can leap into the air - vital as the surface is pitted with pot-holes and riddled with rocks. Just to make the road that teeny bit more interesting, the odd land mine or two has been planted.

Spaceman Sid

Sid's buggy has a sneaky weapons system. Not only can it fire horizontally to blast rocks, mines and sundry approaching aliens, it also fires vertically to capture the enemy unawares.

The skyward rocketry is needed as a defence against flying aliens who, unaware that Sid is merely out for a relaxing ride, try to bomb his socks off.

Whenever Sid's car strikes an oncoming object or receives a direct hit from on high, the wheels fly off and bounce about creating more havoc.

Spaceman Sid

There are five sectors to navigate, each containing five subsectors; a clear display at the top of the screen reports your progress.

Later sectors have sliding bridges and meteor storms, adding to the challenge. Completing the quintet motif, Sid has five lives.

As Sid's buggy joggles along, the landscape scrolls smoothly past. The graphics are first-rate - large, sharp and colourful with realistic animation. Sound effects are excellent too - there's even a snatch of the Star Wars theme to start Sid off. Pity there's no joystick option. Never mind, this is a great game that will keep you amused for hours.

Bob Chappell

Other BBC Model B Game Reviews By Bob Chappell


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