So, this is about a new game recently written by the Gatchina group GALAXY - an arcade adventure: "Operation R.R.". About a year and a half ago, this same group released the notorious "48 Irons" - apparently, they wanted to repeat the success of the first "pancake". ;) It seems they succeeded. :) Although the game was released under the copyright of GALAXY, it was made by people who have no relation to "48 Irons". However, you can find out all the details of the "galaxy" party from the description "built into" the game. Well, okay, we jumped ahead a bit. ;) Now, let's go step by step, that is, we will write everything in order. ;)
First of all, about the title. "Operation R.R." is not "Operation Pe-Pe", but "Operation Er-Er". ;) I hope you understand me. :) This "er-er" stands for "RED REFRIGERATOR", that is, "red refrigerator". It's clear that they have no problem inventing code names for secret operations at the Center. ;) However, why this jumble of replacing English letters with Russian ones and vice versa remains a mystery to me... Alright, enough nitpicking ;), let's move on.
Imho, the "intro" could have been done better, rather than just sticking with the standard message: "... present new game... ". After all, today, the absence of any fancy intro is a perversion. ;) For example, Slava Mednonogov, according to him, spent more than a month on the intro - to keep up with the times. :) But let's not delve into philosophical discussions about the essence of introduction, after all, that's not the main thing in the game.
The game menu is made quite decently, but the font is not very successful - for example, the letter "X" looks very similar to the symbol "%", and besides, all the letters are uppercase - it's inconvenient to read due to the small spacing between the lines (the spacing is only a couple of pixels wide). The introductory novella is quite original but somewhat reminiscent of the prehistory of "48 Irons".
Well, after trying randomly to enter the password and receiving the cynical message: "Code, but not that one" (I liked it :) we load the game and see some strange creature, which the authors proudly named "The Last". Imho, a more accurate description of the appearance of this strange eyed creature would be to call it Byaka. ;) So, what is Byaka? Well... Byaka is Byaka. ;) Imagine a round character whose eyes do not sit where they should, but sway and dangle in the air. Moreover, it took me a while to figure out that these were indeed eyes and that they belonged to Byaka. ;) The eyeballs of The Last live some independent life, separate from the hero's body. ;))) You, or rather Byaka, can be in one part of the screen, while your eyes will be dangling completely at the other end. :) However, it's hard to describe - you need to see it. :)))
Of course, Byaka is not the only "freak in the family". ;))) The next one you will cast a judging glance at will be a strange creature resembling... hmm, imagine an enraged Dizzy with a toothy mouth and frog-like eyes. To top it all off, the creature does not constantly flaunt on the screen, but periodically materializes, and in a very curious way: first, ominous eyes appear, which are looking for something and then disappear, and a second later, the scary beast appears completely. By the way, this representative of the egg-reptile-ugly class is called an egg monster. ;) Don't even think about approaching it! This "toothy" one is not known for its good temperament. But don't think that this psycho is the only one in the game - there are plenty of these creatures (the authors seem to have been breeding them ;). You will also constantly encounter bubbles of some harmful gas that noticeably reduces life... :(
I won't talk about the other characters in the game - why spoil your appetite? ;) I'll tell you a bit about the interface. Original, quite original, I must say. :) The item selection menu resembles the instrument panel of a Su-37 fighter. ;) The music selection menu also looks interesting. You will choose compositions based on the principle of "Moysha sang on the phone". ;))) The menu features not the titles of the melodies but their "brief content". ;) Would you like to listen to, for example, the composition "THREEEEEE-THYUUUUU-THYUUUU..."? ;))) In general, the whole game is made with humor, although somewhat intrusive...
We won't provide a walkthrough of the game here - suffer through it yourself. ;) This was just a small review...
Well, let's summarize: the game is made at a fairly high technical level (if we don't count the intro ;), without lags, with a convenient interface for every taste. The graphics are also excellent, with original animations. The script is filled with sparkling humor, so you won't get bored solving the next puzzle. :)
In general, the verdict is: "Operation R.R." is an awesome arcade adventure that will surely take its rightful place in the Sinclairist's game library, alongside Dizzy, the "national hero" of the arcade adventure world! :)
(c) JEDI.
Contents of the publication: Aspect #09
- BBS List
The article presents a list of ViComm-compatible BBS in St. Petersburg, including contact details and topics covered. It emphasizes the importance of using the updated list to avoid outdated information. Additionally, it suggests saving the article as a screen file for easier viewing.
- Attention
Article provides guidelines on email formatting and quoting in correspondence, emphasizing standards for clarity and readability in SPbZXNet. It explains how to properly quote messages and avoid excessive quoting. Tips are given on maintaining a unique writing style in email communication.
- Question
The article discusses the distribution reach of the magazine ASPECT and invites readers outside of St. Petersburg to provide feedback.
- Day by Day
Article 'День за днем' explores lively discussions and humorous interactions in the SPbZXNet community, highlighting virtual battles, beer preferences, and personal anecdotes.
- Новинка - Jedi
Review of the arcade adventure game 'Operation R.R.' developed by the Galaxy group. The game is praised for its technical quality and humor-infused storyline. Comparison to Dizzy highlights its potential popularity among gamers.
- From the Authors
The article introduces the ninth issue of the ASPECT newspaper, detailing contributions from various authors and upcoming sections, including a game review and a championship.
- Under the Microscope
Article overview of the new electronic magazine SPECTRUM EXPERT, detailing its content, interface, and the significance of the editorial team.
- Celebration
The article celebrates various holidays, including the anniversary of the company 'Peters' and Victory Day. It invites readers to discuss and plan a gathering for the 1.5-year anniversary of SPbZXNet. The article also encourages reader participation in celebrating the upcoming 10th issue of ASPECT.
- Programming
Discussion on a subroutine useful for programmers creating computer magazines and text editors for ZX Spectrum, emphasizing the advantages of assembly programming.
- Network News
The article discusses various developments in the ZX Spectrum community, including testing of the MMD 4.00 program, updates on echos, and upcoming software like GAMBIT chess game.
- Virus Championship
Article discusses the 'Virus Championship', an event inviting participants to create virtual viruses using the VIRUS II program. It includes a fictional narrative about ancient Egyptian priests and their warnings about future threats. The event aims to engage users in programming and competition while fostering creativity in the Spectrum community.
- Humor
The article 'Юмор' presents a humorous collection of absurd and comical statements made by military personnel, highlighting the humorous side of army life. These quotes, referred to as 'army miasmas', illustrate the peculiar logic and misunderstandings that can arise in military communication. The piece serves as both entertainment and a reflection on the quirks of military culture.