Oberon #04: Overview of ZX Spectrum Games

As you may have already noticed, the three previous parts of the "REVIEW" were written quite a long time ago. In this part, I will briefly try to cover the most interesting recent arrivals.... 

  STRYKER IN THE    
 CRYPTS OF TROGAN   
                    
      48/128        
                    
SIMMER  SOFTWARE    
      CODEMASTERS'92
                    
DISK VERSION: STEP  
                    
SIZE :            
        314 SECTORS
                                          
                                          
 One of the few games that truly deserve attention, and not just because it was made in 1992. Even the fact that the game was produced by CODEMASTERS does not change much. STRYKER is good on its own! You control yet another good          
(apparently) wizard, who using  all  his  magical power, tries  to overcome  evil  and establish good. The action takes place in a vast dungeon filled with all sorts of evil. There is something of MYTH, and the size of the maze can only be compared to SABOTEUR. But the game is most similar to the SWITCH BLADE duology. The same pleasant pixel graphics and the same slow speed of screen building. So, for the rulez you have to pay.....                                 
However, the sound effects are superb!   

  PHILEAS FOGG'S   
  BALLOON BATTLES   
                    
       48/128       
                    
ZEPPELINE GAMES LTD 
                    
DISK VERSION: STEP  
                    
SIZE:             
         123 SECTORS
                    
                                          
If anyone read the works of the famous Frenchman J.VERNE in childhood, they will understand from the title of the game what it is about. Probably for the first time, in all the years spent at the SPECCY keyboard, you will have to control nothing less than a hot air balloon!          

Right after the start, you are attacked by a whole horde of fierce men with guns. Time to drop the sandbags and take off. But taking off is one thing, and flying where you need to go is quite another.           

On  four airhorizons,   where  youget  by dropping  bags or releasingair,   there are more or less  constant winds.  Wherever  theyblow - that’s where you fly, and  to  getwhere you need to go, you need to skillfully operate both the bags and the air release valve. And the thing is that you need to fly not just for fun, but for a purpose - to destroy enemy factories, buildings, guns, and manpower by dropping bombs.                                       

However, the enemy is not sleeping and is ready to pierce the balloon's skin at any moment. And the sand and bombs run out at the most critical moment.                       

Overall, the game is killer, at least the idea itself is simply superb!                   

        SURVIVAL        
                        
   FIVE WAYS SOFTWARE   
                        
  MACMILLAN EDUCATION   
                        
   SINCLAIR RESEARCH    
                        
DISK VERSION:           
             FLASH inc. 
                        
SIZE:                 
        84 SECTORS      

It's never too late to learn! As the fiercest fans of the SPECTRUM remember, the title of lord was bestowed upon Clive Sinclair not for nothing, but for outstanding contributions to the computerization of the educational process. You understand, hardware is one thing, but educational software is quite another. And if earlier the educational programs that reached us looked somewhat shabby and scary, then this masterpiece, written in 1984, is simply wonderful!   

From the title of the game, it follows that you are to SURVIVE. And you can do this in the guise of an owl, sparrow, lion, field mouse, (may) beetle, and butterfly. The spectrum of the animal world is quite wide, and everyone can choose the character that is closest to them. Next, you simply need to feed and stay alive for as long as possible...                  

The game is very easy to control and easy to master. Which cannot be said about the twin brother of SURVIVAL, the game GLIDER. This program was written by the same authors, in the same style, and allows you to feel like a glider pilot.                       


If the monsters of the INTERNET try hard, we may soon see a few more similar educational games. In my opinion, this is much more interesting than the dumb and shabby space shooters of the 83-86 years.        

    GYRON ATRIUM    
         &          
  GYRON NECROPOLIS  
                    
     TORUS LTD      
    FIREBIRD'85     
                    
DISK VERSION :      
            FATALITY
SIZE :            
          241 SECTOR
  (+33 SECTORS HELP)                                          
It's even hard to say what this game is about. From the attached official instructions, I understood very little. You control an object called HEDROID. This object moves through the mazes of the city (?) GYRON, with the aim of reaching its center. Huge balls (BALLS) and towers (TOWERS) emitting terrible energy hinder you in this.                                     
                                          
Although in reality, it’s probably much cooler, as the game was produced by TORUS LTD, known for the hit of all time - ELITE. But understanding GYRON is not given to everyone, although I recommend you try to do so. You can send the results of your "investigation" to us for summarization and publication.               
                                          
The game is indeed worth taking seriously and for a long time...            


                    
    TECHNODROM      
                    
  REAL SOFTWARE'97  
                    
CRACK VERSION: SVV  
                    
                    
SIZE:             
   FOR THE ENTIRE DISK
                    

The first more or less significant DOMESTIC release after MORTAL KOMBAT this year! Significant not only in terms of the volume of the game but also in the volume of bugs.                            

I won't say much about the game itself, as I couldn't properly play it on my machine. If we consider it in general, it is LASER SQUARD in design and NETHER EARTH in essence. However, after mixing the first two components, it starts to smell like LAST BATTLE, but that’s only for the better!                         

To put it simply, you will have to build a bunch of robots and "drive" them onto another bunch of robots. And this is quite interesting, as besides shooting, you also need to think about what to do...                             
                          
But the main thing in the game is itsbugs.  The first  point is  "incomplete port #7FFD addressing", which is the reason that  the game practically does notwork  on  SCORPIONS. The second    letdown is KEMPSTON JOYSTICK.                                   On machines where it is implemented NOT FULLY :         
                                          
                                          
a) it is impossible to read HELP,   
                                          
b) it is hard to use the scanner in the game,   
                                          
c) it is impossible to survive  after the first   message   NOT   ENOUGH  ACTION POINTS.                                   
                                          
I would note that  all  this applies  to the version CRACKED BY SVV.  Another version has not yet arrived in Samara...... Shall we wait?                
                                          
-========================================                * * * * *                 
                                          
LAST EDITION : 09.11.97                   
MUSIC BY     : DAGMA/XTM

Contents of the publication: Oberon #04

• From the Editorial
  This editorial discusses the legal 'charges' against the creators of Oberon #4 as a humorous narrative, highlights the challenges faced in publishing this issue, and announces a potential hiatus for the magazine.
• Scroll
  Analysis of the game 'Chaos' by Julian Gollop. Simplified gameplay mechanics and strategic elements. Description of creatures, spells, and tactics.
• Scroll - Unbeliever
  Description of a mathematical game for ZX Spectrum where players collect formula symbols while navigating gears.
• Scroll - M.M.A
  Discussion of 'Doc the Destroyer', a unique fighting and adventure game for ZX Spectrum. The article covers controls, character customization, and game mechanics. Compatibility issues on different ZX Spectrum models are also addressed.
• Overview - M.M.A
  The article provides a review of games for ZX Spectrum, including KOMANDO 2, WRESTLING SUPERSTARS, TAG TEAM WRESTLING, and CAPTAIN PLANET. It highlights the features, graphics, and gameplay of each game, noting both strengths and weaknesses. The review concludes with recommendations and comparisons to other platforms and games.
• Overview
  Overview of various ZX Spectrum games, highlighting their unique features, gameplay mechanics, and design elements. Includes critique on sound effects, graphics, and technical issues. Discusses games like 'Stryker in the Crypts of Trogan', 'Phileas Fogg's Balloon Battles', and 'Survival'.
• Overview - Alex Noman
  The article reviews games for the ZX Spectrum, including BOOVIE, MOTOR MASSACRE, SOCCER PINBALL, and HUXLEY PIG 1 & 2. Each game is detailed in terms of gameplay, graphics, and unique features. The discussion includes comparisons to other games and highlights specific technical aspects.
• Review
  A review of various games, including Little Computer People and Lost Caves, highlighting their features and versions. It also discusses 75Occ Grand Prix by Codemasters with its limitations. The article provides insights into game mechanics and versions.
• Review
  Detailed review of various assemblers like Alasm 3.8, TASM 4.12, and others, highlighting their features and shortcomings.
• About Everything
  Announcement of the creation of the SamZxNet network in Samara and the challenges of setting it up with HAYES modems. Explanation of the modems' power requirements and potential difficulties. Invitation for technical advice from experienced readers.
• About Everything
  Description of travel to ENLIGHT'97 and meeting various demoscene participants. Observations of event organization and issues. Insights into participant experiences and scene discussions.
• About Everything
  Report on the second day of ENLIGHT'97: events, challenges, and reflections. Describes voting results and organizational difficulties. Highlights future prospects for Spectrum demo parties.
• About Everything
  The article features reader feedback on Oberon #04, critiquing design and content choices and discussing issues with software protection and game enhancements.
• About Everything
  Discussion of the adventure game KAYLETH with gameplay tips and advice. Includes a game dictionary and suggestions from the author and their team. Calls for a local artist for future RPG development.
• About Everything
  Reflection on the closure of the 'ZX-REVIEW' magazine and the adaptation of its article for 'Oberon'. Discussion on the development of ultra-short boot loaders. Optimization techniques for writing one-sector boot loaders on ZX Spectrum.
• About Everything
  Exploration of amateur contributions to electronics, music, and computing history, highlighting figures like Faraday and Babbage. The evolution from handmade instruments to personal computers. Discussion on jazz, blues, and rock'n'roll's informal origins.
• About Everything
  The story of Lieutenant Edward Roberts' journey from radio kits to creating the first PC, the Altair 8800, overcoming skepticism and challenges.
• About Everything
  The article explores the rise and evolution of the computer industry, highlighting the transformation from passionate hobbyists to corporate dominance by giants like IBM and Microsoft.
• About Everything
  An exploration of Sir Clive Sinclair's project after selling the Sinclair brand, detailing the features of the Cambridge Computers Z88 laptop.
• About Everything
  Discussion of software market problems in 1997 for ZX Spectrum, highlighting lack of new software and user reluctance to pay.
• Announcement - M.M.A
  Announcement of 'Black Raven' game by V. Mednonogov, focusing on gameplay, technical challenges, and upcoming features.
• Announcement
  Discussion of the decline in ZX Spectrum development, reviews of new games and utilities, and announcements of future projects.
• Educational Program
  The article provides an overview of FidoNet, a non-commercial computer network often considered the predecessor of the Internet, detailing its origins, growth, and unique cultural aspects.
• Hardware
  Instructions for connecting the 'ALEGRO' modem to computers with normal port #FF, detailing hardware modifications required for proper signal handling.
• Hardware
  Connecting Hayes-compatible modems to ZX Spectrum, focusing on Scorpion and Pentagon models, detailing hardware modifications. Specific instructions for internal port blocking and signal alignment provided. Step-by-step process and technical intricacies explained.
• Hardware
  Discussion of the transition from 5.25' to 3.5' floppy disks for ZX Spectrum, including installation issues and solutions for compatibility with existing software.
• Let's Feast
  A satirical story about a Rabbit who lost his house to a cunning Fox and how a Rooster helped him reclaim it.
• Let's Gourmet
  A humorous tale about Malysh and Karlson's adventures with technology, drawing parallels between computers and everyday life, culminating in a comic mishap with an AMIGA computer.
• Advertising
  Article discusses free advertising policy of Oberon, catalog of programs and hardware for ZX Spectrum, and adventure game engagement.
• Advertisement - Kano
  Promotional campaign by Magic Soft and RPSG in Russia for Amiga multimedia computers, offering exhibitions, sales, and consultations. They highlight Amiga's advantages over other systems, describe various models, and provide price lists. Collaboration with 'Computers for Population' for distribution and services.