Oberon #04: Scroll: Unique Fighting and Adventure Game for ZX Spectrum

(C) M.M.A / SPEED CO. 

DOC THE DESTROYER             
MELBURN HOUSE'8S(?)            

If you are already tired of "taking down" GORO at the highest difficulty level in the Kharkiv version of MORTAL KOMBAT, and the Temporal Zone in "STAR LEGACY" is making itself known, then you simply need DOC THE DESTROYER! A unique blend of brutal fighting and fierce adventure.         

Immediately after loading, you will be presented with a control selection menu:         

      >          KEYBOARD                 
            KEMPSTON JOYSTICK             
            SINCLAIR JOYSTICK             

Pressing any key moves the cursor (>), and the "ENTER" key selects the respective control device. The keyboard layout is fixed and cannot be redefined:                                     
      "Q" - up        "I" - left      
     "Z" - down           "P" - right    
              SPACE - fire               

The next step in preparing for the game is configuring your future hero. This is done by increasing or decreasing the number of points in the following five "nominations":                 

      STRENGTH      -  STRENGTH               
      ENDURANCE     -  ENDURANCE       
      INTELLIGENCE  -  INTELLIGENCE          
      CHARISMA      -  CHARISMA            
      LUCK          -  LUCK              

Increasing one of the points too much will inevitably cause other points to slowly decrease. This creates a balance between the individual components of your future hero's personality. 

After completing all these actions, you enter the game itself. More precisely, this is the part of the game that is directly related to the process of exploring the location and making decisions. There will be another part of the game - the usual fighting...                   

So, on the left, you can see our hero, whose facial expression changes depending on the situation. On the right, there are two more windows: the upper one displays the location overview, while the lower one shows possible action options.                          

The description of the location and everything happening is quite extensive and detailed. It's even surprising how all of this fits into 48K of memory (very reminiscent of LEVEL9 games). Naturally, the entire description does not fit in the window at once, and therefore you will often have to press fire to continue printing the text.                        

As soon as the entire description is displayed on the screen, action options appear in the lower window. They are all numbered, but are selected not by pressing the corresponding key, but by moving the cursor up and down.                    

Pressing the "A" key in this mode will provide information on the status of all those points (ENDURANCE, LUCK, etc.) that you set before starting. Additionally, you can check for the presence or absence of money (MONEY). They (money) may be needed for bribery and ransom.          

In the location overview mode, there are also two useful keys "S" and "L". The first one saves the current game state to memory. No visual effects or confirmations occur during this process. The second (L) loads the saved game from memory.      

However, the time will inevitably come when you will have to move from "words" to "deeds". Perhaps enemies will attack, maybe you will "bump" into someone, or you might just decide to participate in gladiatorial battles in the arena, it doesn't matter what, but a fight will be unavoidable! This is where you will enter the game mode "beat them all up".                           

Here everything is extremely simple: you are on the left, he is on the right..., and at the bottom are two energy indicators. PLAYER ENDURANCE - this is yours, and ENEMY ENDURANCE - this is his. And here it's anyone's game!   

Strikes are delivered by pressing FIRE in combination with another control key. There are quite a few strikes in principle, but often one single key combination repeated five to seven times is enough - and the enemy is dead. I should note that the initial energy size of your hero is directly related to the ENDURANCE point set before the game starts. 

If the enemy is defeated, you return to the first part of the game - location overview and making a new decision. If you are "beaten," then there is only one way out - GAME OVER.      

I won't talk about the game's plot, as I haven't figured it out myself. One thing is clear, though: it all relates to the good old times of wizards, dragons, and other fairy tale creatures.               

Naturally, the game is entirely in English. This will certainly not deter genre lovers, but those who accidentally launch the game will only be put off. However, it is undoubtedly true that the game deserves localization, but this can only be done by completing it. So play and let us know in the editorial about your achievements.                      

Finally, I want to clarify compatibility issues... The game worked perfectly fine (and still works) on any model of SPECTRUM. However, on PENTAGONs and apparently some other "pathologies," half of the main hero's sprite was not visible in battle mode.                           

I had to take the solution to this problem upon myself, and here's what came of it. Now, upon loading, you will be asked PENTAGON FIX Y/N. By answering "N," you will launch the game in the form it has always existed. However, if the hero's sprite disappears, I recommend reloading the game and answering "Y." On PENTAGONs, everything will work fine after that; it may also become easier on other machines.                             
In short, good luck!
-========================================               * * * * *                  
MUSIC BY : VISUAL/MS/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.