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Since the release of our last review, a whole series of new interesting games have appeared in the Moscow radio market. First of all, we want to draw your attention to the game "Star Legacy" - it was the preparation for the release of this game that caused the delay in the release of the 14th issue of "SPECTROFON". So:
STAR LEGACY, PART I
"BLACK COBRA"
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(C) 1995 STEP CREATIVE GROUP
Finally, the months of painstaking work are behind us, and we are happy to offer you to play the FULL version of our adventure. The game occupies a whole TR-DOS diskette, it is filled with diverse colorful graphics (there's even an introductory cartoon), music that changes in different areas of the game, and logical puzzles. As for the latter, we tried to create more complex riddles than in the DEMO version, so it will please both beginners and experienced players. A whole cascade of changes has been made to the game at your request - three more files for saving states to disk have been added, the combat mode has been improved, and the interface has been refined. However, you can already order our game through the "INFOCOM" channels and appreciate all its merits (or shortcomings) yourself.
Another major Russian game has arrived in Moscow from the northern capital. Of course, we are talking about:
UFO. ENEMY UNKNOWN.
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(C) 1995 COOPER FEET.
As the author himself, Vyacheslav Mednonogov, writes, this game is a conversion of the IBM program "UFO. ENEMY UNKNOWN" and its improvement. However, after just a few minutes of acquaintance with the program, we had serious doubts that this game could be called a ported version from IBM. After all, the branded version of "UFO" has a strategic component at its core, on which, like a supporting framework, management elements are "suspended."
In the Spectrum version, all strategy has been removed from the game, replacing it with an arcade - instead of a squad of several of your fighters, you will capture aliens alone, embarking on missions (very logical, right?). In this mode, there are neither ACTION POINTS nor turn-based gameplay. But this, as they say, is a matter of taste.
However, if you forget that somewhere the original game UFO exists, this program will give you a lot of enjoyment. The author managed to make the game very dynamic and interesting, despite everything. If you start playing it seriously, it captivates you 100%.
After all, according to the plot, you must stop the alien invasion of Earth by shooting down and capturing the ships of the Aliens. The contents of the captured ships can then be researched and used for your purposes. At your numerous bases, scientists and engineers are working, and emergency situations periodically occur, adding pleasant variety to the course of events. We must give credit to Vyacheslav - with the exception of strategy, he transferred the game quite accurately. We believe "UFO..." will take a worthy place in the collections of our readers.
DIZZY Y (RETURN TO RUSSIA)
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(C) 1995 SPEED CODE
Those who completed the game DIZZY X know that there our hero flies to another planet to save the universe. But, as becomes clear from the introductory cartoon to DIZZY Y, his rocket was made by children from a young technicians' club. After flying a few laps, the rocket crashed back to our sinful earth.
It should be said that the second series of Russian Dizzy adventures turned out to be much better than the first - in addition to the fact that the game became longer, the number of melodies increased, the graphics improved, and quite complex puzzles appeared.
By the way, most of the graphic elements seem to be borrowed from previous DIZZY series (such as VIAJE...) and old musical DEMOs. Of course, the game would look much better with original graphics.
The puzzles pleasantly surprised - they require certain efforts to solve. However, the most challenging task for us was not solving logical problems but finding the exit from the dungeon under the temple (admit it, searching for a hidden boulder cannot be called logic). Overall, the game leaves a very good impression.
BATTLE CITY
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(C) 1995 MR.LTD AND WAKSON
Many know this game - it first appeared on the DENDY game console. Now you have the opportunity to play the Spectrum version made by Russian programmers. The goal of the game is very simple - controlling a tank (top view), you must protect a certain object (a bird) from destruction by the enemy. To do this, you will have to destroy all enemy tanks on the screen, which is quite difficult. At different levels, you will have to fight against varying numbers of enemy tanks, and two-player mode is possible. Of course, any new domestic game deserves praise and respect, but this one, in our opinion, was already quite primitive in its original form.
WHERE TIME STOOD STILL
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(C) OCEAN SOFTWARE
In this game, you will share the fate of four travelers. Their plane crashed in an unexplored mountainous area, where there are clearly anomalies in the flow of time - primitive savages live there, various dinosaurs and other monsters can be encountered. Your task will be to save the surviving passengers and get out of this unpleasant place.
The graphics in this arcade adventure are worthy of all praise - the movements of the heroes are quite smooth and diverse, and the animation is very well implemented.
A pleasant surprise for the player will be encounters with natural phenomena such as waterfalls, landslides in the mountains, etc. Overall, this game resembles "GREAT ESCAPE", but unlike it, there are four main characters, each with a certain degree of individual freedom of action. It is quite possible that the expert development of this interesting game will be included in one of the SPECTROFONs.
GAUNTLET III. THE FINAL QUEST.
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(C) 1990 SOFTWARE CREATIONS,
TENGEN INC., US.GOLD
This is a beautifully designed three-dimensional "walker". You can explore a huge magical land alone or with a friend (the program provides a two-player mode). You can choose to control one of eight types of heroes (Lizard Man, Sorcerer, etc.), although they differ mainly in appearance. You will face all sorts of evil - ghosts, goblins, some balls, etc. Throughout the game, you will encounter puzzles, but mostly they boil down to finding the necessary keys to doors that block your further path.
This game is multi-level, with three-dimensional monochrome graphics, and everything is drawn very carefully, with very smooth and natural movements. The abundance of various details in the surrounding landscape is impressive, changing from level to level.
The environment sprites are layered so neatly that if you walk behind a bush, you can still see your hero through its branches.
In summary, it can be said that this game is designed for several weeks of calm, unhurried playthrough. A pleasant feature of the program is that the actions of the first player do not slow down the control of the second, as often happens when playing with two joysticks.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
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(C) 1991 OCEAN SOFTWARE
The game is based on the eponymous movie "The Addams Family".
Part of the Addams family has hidden themselves in their castle to avoid being thrown into another dimension. After the danger has passed, they need to be rescued from their hiding places. This will be your task, controlling the Addams' servant - old Frankenstein. A piece of paper shown to you at the start will help you find your relatives, and otherwise, you can only rely on your strength - after all, the castle is full of animated skeletons, knights, and other monsters that will instantly deal with you at the first encounter. But that's not all - the castle is filled with various traps and secret mechanisms that you will need to figure out.
The game features quality colorful graphics, decent music, and effects. The genre of the program can be characterized as an arcade "walker" with elements of a quest.
MANCHESTER UNITED IN EUROPE
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(C) 1992 CRISALIS SOFTWARE
The company CRISALIS has established itself in the best light on the IBM platform. It is not surprising that their work on the Spectrum is done at the highest level. You will become the manager of the legendary MANCHESTER UNITED, making your way into the European top league and winning various cups. In principle, all management genre games are similar to each other, but this game is distinguished by good colorful graphics, thoughtful service, and special effects.
Great attention is paid to the football simulator itself - it is immediately clear that this program fully meets all the requirements of the 90s.
SHANGHAI WARRIORS
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(C) 1989 PLAYERS SOFTWARE
This game is an ordinary karate "brawler". A Soviet submarine somehow displeased the main character you control. Your task is to break through to it through military barriers and blow up the hated vessel.
The game has decent background graphics, but the sprites of the main characters are poorly rendered, and the movements do not hold up to any criticism. People walk like flat puppets, and it’s better not to mention the punches at all - it’s nonsense.
Overall, this was an attempt to create something similar to TARGET RENEGADE, which failed miserably.
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Contents of the publication: Spectrofon #14
- Expertise - Алексей Литвинов, Андрей Бусыгин
Analysis and Russian adaptation of the game 'Academy' by CRL Group, highlighting significant program modifications and the addition of a new game ending.
- Archive - Андрей Школьников
Analysis of the game Archon, its appeal, mechanics, and strategic elements. Detailed exploration of its characters and their battle properties. Overview of magical spells and game tactics.
- Debut - Андрей Школьников
Analysis of the game 'Emerald Isle' by Level 9, contrasting linear and global adventures. Describes gameplay, puzzles, and strategy for success. Concludes with tips for navigating challenges.
- Overview
Overview of new games on Moscow's radio market, including 'Star Legacy' with its full release, 'UFO: Enemy Unknown' conversion, and others.
- From World to Bit
This article provides guidance for several ZX Spectrum games, including tips for overcoming challenges and critiques on the influence of games on players.
- Championship - Matthias
The article covers the Open Virus Championship, detailing the selection cycle, changes in rules, and highlights of the matches. Participants from different cities and countries competed with their virus programs. Key winners have been determined for the Final League.
- System - Chung Software
Analysis of compatibility issues in ZX Spectrum models like ATM Turbo and others, detailing solutions for port #FF and INT signal. Emphasis on practical adjustments for various models, ensuring optimal compatibility with original ZX Spectrum 48k. Critical examination of DIY computer upgrades and potential issues with software compatibility.
- Premiere
Review of two software tools: Pro Sound Maker, a music editor by Denis Dratov, featuring solutions to technical challenges, and Visual Decompressor v1.2 by Timothy, offering visual effects during decompression.
- Advertisement
Advertisement of Spectrofon magazine, offering licenses and calls for collaboration. Contact details for buying games and software. Studio Logros promotes Russian programmers.
