Oberon #04: Game Reviews for ZX Spectrum: BOOVIE, MOTOR MASSACRE, SOCCER PINBALL

                            
           BOOVIE           
                            
          -KVL-'94          
                            
                            
   DISK VERSION: ZERO       
                            
   SIZE: 159 SECTORS     
                            
                                          
This game will undoubtedly appeal to those who love to strain their brains. Well, if you are also a fan of games like TUBE MIX, SLABE AGE, or SOCOBAN, then BOOVIE is exactly what you need!                                    
                                          
You control a funny little mutant trying to neutralize its native caves from radioactive containers. The thing is that you need to send the container to a disposal device. And the caves are not just simple - they bend, making it difficult to push the container. This is where that gray matter, which is located (?) in your skull, comes into play.                         
                                          
The game was written in Slovakia and, as with KOMANDO 2, you will have to look for a corresponding Slovak-Russian dictionary. Moreover, the program has a built-in original trainer (hold "N" during loading) for the principles of the game, again written not in English! So it's time for us to learn their language, and for them to learn ours.     
                                          
It is worth noting that the game consists of forty levels, each of which can be accessed by a password. The decent coprocessor music will keep you awake. And all this works perfectly even from 48K!                    
                                          

                    
   MOTOR MASSACRE   
                    
    128K ONLY !    
                    
     GREMLIN '88    
                    
DISK VERSION :      
          FLASH inc.
                    
SIZE: 252 SECTORS 
                    
                                          
                                          
                                          
After an hour of playing MOTOR MASSACRE, you might get the following impression: a lonely new Russian makes raids on competitors' trading bases to obtain products for his commercial kiosk.   
                                          
In reality, that's exactly how it is! A cool guy in an armored vehicle type ATV drives through some slums, risking every second to fall into the "Dead End of Communism Number 7."     
                                          
Puddles of oil are spilled on the roads (if you can call them roads), mines are skillfully placed, and traffic jams made of old and rusty car corpses do not contribute to driving at high speed! The only thing that pleases is the nice uncles at the gas stations! They will fix your car, fill it with gas, and even sell you a brand new AK-47 with a full magazine.                               
                                          
Armed to the teeth, you can dare to raid deep into one of the trading bases. Driving through the gates marked with inviting arrows, our hero finds himself in a room full of potential enemies.                 
                                          

                                          
A couple of bursts from the AK-47 helps the guards understand the fragility of life. Meanwhile, our hero gazes intently into the distance - keys, food, wine, ammunition, tires for ATV!        
                                          
But there is one warehouse (in the lower right corner) that does not let you in just like that and requires some kind of pass.                      
                                          
"Here is where the dog is buried," I thought, resetting MOTOR MASSACRE.                 
                                          
The game is still too monochrome. However, the unexpressive graphics are successfully compensated by abundant sound effects, but to each their own.                          
                                          

                                          
                    
   SOCCER PINBALL   
                    
       48/128       
                    
   CODEMASTERS'91   
                    
DISK VERSION:       
                    
         FLASH inc. 
                    
SIZE: 163 SECTORS 
                                          
Many sports-themed games have been released by CODEMASTERS. And I won't be far off if I say that practically the vast majority of sports games from this company are somehow related to cycling (see MOUNTAIN BIKE from the review in OBERON#3) or football. And the programmers are getting creative to release yet another sports-themed game. There is already regular football, street football, no-rules football, football managers, and even programs that allow you to train your virtual athletes. But this game is yet another twist of the sick imagination of football fans. A football pinball machine.                  
                                          
The rules of the game have not changed. The ball is still launched onto the field by a spring, and your task is to keep it flying using bats located on either side of the platform at different levels. Points, points, and more points - that's the goal of this game!                                          
                                          
Of course, the idea and plot are somewhat dull for the brain of a person playing LITTLE COMPUTER PEOPLE (see further in this REVIEW), but the game's external design is simply superb. The main opening where you will "shoot" the ball is represented as a football goal. And in that goal stands a real goalkeeper! And in front of him is a whole pack of defenders! Until you knock them all out, the ball will not get into the goal.            
                                          
Your bats for hitting the ball cover another opening - accordingly, your goal. No one is planning to score in them; the ball itself tries to get in there, obeying the forces of gravity.              
                                          
                                          
                                          
Such is football! See you on the hockey fields, my little volleyball players!        
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          

                                          
                    
  HUXLEY PIG 1 & 2  
                    
     FILMFAIR'90    
     ALTERNATIVE    
                    
                    
DISK VERSION:       
                    
         FLASH inc. 
                    
SIZE: 173 SECTORS 
                                          
Another toy based on a children's cartoon. This time, you hold the fate of a little pink pig HUXLEY in your hands.       
                                          
The game consists of two separate parts. They differ from each other like day and night, or rather, like reality and a dream!            
                                          
In the first part, you control a freshly awakened HUXLEY. You can walk around the house, interact with crazy relatives and wild animals. In short, an adventure in the style of EVERYONE'S A WOLLY. Unfortunately, I couldn't complete this part, so I don't know what lies beyond the house.                                          
                                          
The second part consists of a set of mini-games depicting the dreams of little HUXLEY. You will get to be a pilot of a "crop duster," make the biggest pizza in the world, and sail a boat down a river full of dangers.                        
                                          
Although the game is clearly aimed at a young (6-9 years) audience, there are some logical puzzles in certain places that can stump even an adult.     
                                          

                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
Unfortunately, there is no support for musical coprocessors, but the regular music that plays through the BEEPER is just great!                                    
                                          
Try yourself in the skin of a PIG!      
                                   Noman. 

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.