ZX Format #03: Toys: Game Reviews from 1996

Overview of New Products

in the market of St. Petersburg.

(C) Material provided by 'SSL'

In this issue's review, we will tell you about the most interesting programs that appeared in our city in January and February 1996.

THE LIGHT CORRIDOR

48/128K

INFOGRAMES '& NEW FRONTER

1990

A ball flies through a bright corridor, bouncing off walls and various obstacles, returning to where it started its journey... This is not the beginning of a fantastic story about an intelligent ball that arrived on Earth just in time for a football match; this is the plot of a game with the unusual title THE LIGHT CORRIDOR. It is a mix of the well-known DOOM and table tennis. The essence of the game is simple - as you move through the corridor, you must hit the ball, which, when directed by your powerful strike, bounces off various blocks and returns to you with renewed strength. A riddle for those who purchased the game: which idea was borrowed by the authors from BATTY?

Memory: at least 48K  
Ay-chip: music in the menu at 128K  
Graphics: 9 points (out of 10)  
Music and effects: 5 points

____

JONNY QUEST IN DOCTOR ZIN'S

UNDERWORLD

48/128K

HI-TEC Software

Simply amazing! - say lovers of beautiful and interesting mazes upon seeing this game for the first time. And indeed, JONNY QUEST deserves such praise. All the graphics are drawn in meticulous detail, and the movements are astonishingly smooth. The game, despite its simplicity, is not easy; although the use of items happens automatically, you will have to think about how to apply them. If you are a true connoisseur of mazes, then once you start this game, don't forget to set an alarm clock, so you don't find yourself in the morning sleep-deprived, hungry, and overexcited. For those who purchased this game, a small hint: after you have tried everything possible and don't know where to put the extra key, try going up to the second floor and moving left for a few screens, then jump on a surface that is slightly different from the usual...

Memory: at least 48K  
Ay-chip: effects at 128K  
Graphics: 10 points  
Music and effects: 3 points

____

BEDLAM

128K

BEAM Software

Well, who among us doesn’t love to shoot and fight against space aliens! To everyone who enjoys this highly intellectual pastime, we recommend purchasing the game BEDLAM, made in the style of a space shooter, the goal of which is to destroy everything and everyone. It stands out from many shooters with features such as full-screen scrolling, vividness, excellent sound effects, and much, much more.

Memory: at least 128K  
Ay-chip: music and effects  
Graphics: 10 points  
Music and effects: 9 points

____

48/128K

CODEMASTERS

1991

After shooting and having fun, you will probably want to relax and play some calm and interesting game. The considerate company CODEMASTERS, known primarily for the DIZZY collection, will not refuse you help. This time they released a game with the captivating title BUBBLE DIZZY. Do you think this is another adventure? You are mistaken - this is a semi-arcade game in which the main character is, of course, DIZZY. Traveling through distant lands, Dizzy saw a ship and decided to check it out from the inside. Unfortunately, the ship turned out to be a pirate ship, and the evil captain threw Dizzy overboard. Now he must climb up on his own. And besides air bubbles and you, nothing else will help him.

Memory: at least 48K  
Ay-chip: music in the menu at 128K  
Graphics: 10 points  
Music and effects: 5 points

____

Part A'&B

128/48K

OCEAN Software

1991

If you ever enjoyed playing the game HUDSON HAWK, then you will also like NAVY SEALS Part A. Although the game represents a kind of maze-action, it looks much better than other representatives of the genre due to the magnificent animation of the main character, which is worked out to the smallest detail. The main goal of the game is to defuse mines and eliminate enemies across five levels. Part B of this game is somewhat similar to ROBOCOP I in its first level, where the hero walks through the city streets and takes down thugs.

Memory: at least 128K  
Ay-chip: music and effects  
Graphics: 10 points  
Music and effects: 10 points

____

PIRATES

128K

NICODIM

1994,95

We present to you a new strategic game PIRATES, created by the NICODIM group from Yaroslavl. This is the computer version of the board game with the same name. A few words about the essence: PIRATES is an exciting strategic game in which, during the era of the conquest of America, you, as the Spaniards (or pirates), must either deliver the plundered gold to Spain or take the treasure from the Spaniards (as a pirate). The game allows for play with two players or against the computer. Decent graphics and excellent musical accompaniment will leave only good impressions of the game and its authors.

! Attention: If you live in St. Petersburg, when purchasing this game, make sure that the disk has a sticker from the X-TRADE studio with the inscription PIRATES, as a disk without this sticker is a pirate copy and its full functionality is not guaranteed. You can exchange the official disk within a year or more either at the studio itself or with its distributors.

Memory: at least 128K  
Ay-chip: music and effects  
Graphics: 6 points  
Music and effects: 10 points  
________________________________

Contents of the publication: ZX Format #03

• IS-DOS
  Detailed guide on the control keys of IS-DOS shell, differentiating reserved and user-defined keys. Importance of extkey.txt file for key assignments. Overview of system utilities and recommended key configurations.
• IS-DOS
  The article discusses the use of restart routines in IS-DOS for screen operations like coordinate settings and scrolling. It provides code examples illustrating the implementation of functions such as wtpos and scrol for text manipulation. The article is technical, aimed at programmers using the ZX Spectrum.
• IS-DOS
  Discussion on the format of object modules in IS-DOS, used by IS-DOS Assembler and link.com. Emphasis on compatibility and creation of high-level language translators. Useful for professional programmers and software developers working with IS-DOS.
• IS-DOS
  Description of the local symbols table format generated by IS-DOS assembler, its structure, and entry types. The table is a temporary file with records linked as a binary tree. Details on referencing numeric local symbols are provided.
• Authors of the Magazine
  Description of the team behind ZX Format, including editors and contributors, with contact information and working hours.
• Hardware
  Discussion of a TR-DOS error fix on ZX Spectrum by Konstantin Uglyakov. Explanation of command register errors and proposed patch to enhance disk exchange speed. Recommendation for implementation without side effects.
• Hardware
  Description of the GENERAL SOUND music card for ZX Spectrum, highlighting its technical specifications and performance enhancements. Discusses its microprocessor system, memory allocation for music, and volume control capabilities. Emphasizes the card's potential beyond audio processing.
• Hardware
  Introduction of the Scorpion ZS 256 Turbo+ board with improved design and features, maintaining the same price. Key enhancements include better assembly quality, reduced size, and simplified port decoding. The board facilitates easy upgrade and has updated technical solutions.
• Hardware
  Technical discussion on the effectiveness of ZX Spectrum turbo methods, focusing on KAY and Scorpion models, including tests and results.
• Hardware
  Review of various modem options for ZX Spectrum, including vicomm, Allegro, and Hayes, highlighting their pros and cons. Focus on the limitations of non-standard modems and the advantages of using standard Hayes modems. Discussion on connection methods and future developments in modem technology.
• Hardware
  Discussion of ZX Spectrum bus architecture, focusing on empirical measurement of bus capacities and implications for system design.
• Toys
  Detailed examination of 'Last Battle' game features, robot types and tactics.
• Toys
  An adventurous group led by their Chief navigates challenges in mysterious landscapes, using ingenuity and teamwork. They overcome obstacles, confront local residents, and explore unique artifacts. The narrative humorously portrays their journey through imaginative environments.
• Toys
  List of top-selling games in St. Petersburg in early 1996 and one reader's unique gaming preference.
• Toys
  Review of games BATMAN-II and PIRATES. Description of gameplay, features and controls. Insight on game strategy and purchasing tips.
• Toys - SSL
  Review of games released in St. Petersburg in early 1996. Highlights include THE LIGHT CORRIDOR, JONNY QUEST, BEDLAM, BUBBLE DIZZY, NAVY SEALS, and PIRATES. Detailed assessments of graphics and sound provided.
• Contest
  The article announces ongoing and new contests for ZX Spectrum enthusiasts, including level design for LASER SQUAD and computer jokes. It highlights the unexpected number of submissions and encourages programmers to submit innovative code. Winners will receive prizes, with results to be published in future issues.
• Lottery
  Article describes a lottery organized by ZX Format, detailing prizes and participation mechanics.
• From the Authors
  A call for collaboration with software developers and artists, emphasizing protection and distribution support. Criticism of piracy and lack of recognition by Moscow peers. Encouragement for new authors to contribute their work.
• Take a Break
  Humorous guidance on how a BOFH (Bastard Operator From Hell) manipulates users and avoids work using clever tricks and technical jargon. Set during fictitious recurring Friday 13th and April Fools' Day, showcasing a series of pranks on clueless users. Emphasizes the absurdity and incompetence in dealing with tech issues, framed in a satirical narrative.
• Let's Take a Break
  The article humorously discusses the daily challenges of an editor, particularly focusing on typographical errors and dealing with demanding users in a chaotic work environment.
• Help
  Discussion about the functions and updates of a shell for ZX Spectrum and reactions of users, with insights into hardware and software changes. Criticism of user feedback and mention of forthcoming updates and articles. Includes opinions on memory and device requirements.
• Mailbox
  Discussion about the future of Spectrum: pros and cons, user classes, and potential upgrades. The article examines reasons for its continued relevance despite technological limitations. It provides a breakdown of user demands and market considerations.
• Mailbox
  The article provides insights into the distribution of software and games for ZX Spectrum, hardware upgrades, and music integration for programs.
• Mailbox
  Readers' letters discuss features of ZX Format, user suggestions, and include humorous anecdotes.
• Premiere
  Introduction of TASM 4.0 for ZX Spectrum 128k, featuring new commands, improved speed, and bug fixes. Detailed installation and operation instructions. Technical specifications and error handling are also covered.
• Premiere
  Winnie-the-Pooh's adventures from dark dungeons to a magic land with a giant tree, a strange fisherman, and a hidden teleport. In a demo version, Pooh encounters challenges like venturing through a well and dealing with peculiar creatures. Softland invites you to explore the full game, avoiding pirate copies.
• For Programmers
  Discussion of BASIC compilers for ZX Spectrum, focusing on their types, advantages, and limitations. Detailed analysis of specific compilers and their characteristics. Comparison of interpreter-based and translator-based compilers.
• For Programmers
  Guide on adapting BASIC programs for disk use, covering both simple and complex cases, including issues with headerless files. Tips on overcoming common problems in transferring software. Offers solutions for coding challenges and errors during disk adaptation.
• For Programmers
  Discussion on decoding loaders using XOR in hacking. Techniques for dealing with closed loaders on TR-DOS. Practical examples with assembler codes.
• For Programmers
  Guide on how to hack ZX Spectrum games for infinite resources. Detailed instructions and examples for altering game parameters using assembly language. Encourages learning assembler to bypass game limitations.
• For Programmers
  Examination of feedback to 'Assembly for Beginners' in ZX Spectrum context; challenges in teaching assembly; importance of synchronization and standards in coding.
• Various
  Q&A format article explaining AmigaOS features, multitasking, resource efficiency, and multimedia capabilities.
• Miscellaneous
  Amiga's revival after difficult times with new releases and upgrades. Introduction of new models like Amiga-1200 and development of Power Amiga with RISK processor. Anticipation of future releases and market expansion.
• Miscellaneous
  The article presents the prologue of a fantasy story set in the Dragon Country, introducing characters and a mission to retrieve a stolen magic crystal. It also announces a role-playing game (RPG) based on this story, with a demo available in the magazine's appendix. XL Design Inc. will distribute the full game.