Personal Computer News


Breakdance

Categories: Review: Software
Author: Susan Cooke
Publisher: CBS
Machine: Commodore 64

 
Published in Personal Computer News #098

BREAKDANCE

Based around the well-hyped dance craze of the same name, Breakdance offers the same basic idea. This is that you have to follow a sequence of moves performed by an opponent, usually the computer.

You can choose any of the alternatives to start with, but it is definitely easier to start off on the first option, as it gives you a chance to get the hang of different moves. There is also a practice mode for novices.

You can use either the keys or the joystick to perform the moves; with the joystick, each of the directions plus fire produces a different move. The idea behind this section is to copy the moves made by the opponent player, the number of moves increasing each time, which gets confusing after a while.

Breakdance

The second section adds a little more urgency and excitement to the game. You are by a river with people moving towards you performing different dance routines. You must stand beneath each one in turn, and copy his moves until he disappears (yes, all the dancers are male!). The problem is that the longer it takes you, you are forced nearer and nearer to the river, if you don't copy them fast enough you'll end up with wet feet. There are more people in each consecutive line, so you have to be quick, and you may end up with a boggled brain and spend more time in the river than out of it.

The third choice shows a character called Boogaloo Brewster dancing a selection of first 4, then 6, then 8 moves, which you have to remember and repeat in the correct sequence. You have to get four right before you can move onto six and eight moves. This may sound easy - until you see the speed that Boogaloo dances at, and the limited time you have.

The final section of the game is for the more sedate minded who like designing, giving you a chance to choreograph your own dance. You have a selection of moves to choose from, and your dancer will perform your routine on stage. You can also save your routines and play them back another time.

This is certainly a game with a difference. Graphics and sound are of a high variety of tunes played.

Susan Cooke

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