SOFTWARE NEWS REVIEW. Alexander Desyatnichenko, Sumy 01.02.1998. Like any decent magazine, ZX POWER also covers news about the release of disk versions of games previously unknown in our territory. Today, this section will only talk about those programs that were recently disketted by the efforts of the X-PROJECT Association. So, let's go...
TWILIGHT 48/128K, ULTRASOFT'1995 Perhaps, nothing like this has been seen on SPECCY so far. This is where one should learn to write mega-games on half a disk! It all starts with an extensive selection menu: you can separately load INTRO, OUTRO, credits, or one of the three independent parts of the game. The INTRO deserves special mention, as it, while loading several times from the disk, besides its direct purpose, tells the story of the problem and the pursued goal. At the same time, it showcases stunning full-screen (sometimes pseudo-3D) graphics. And the story told in the INTRO somewhat resembles the beginning of the first part of the movie "Aliens". Remember, - people return to Earth, but on the way the computer wakes them from their state of hibernation to make a landing on the planet from which stable SOS signals were coming. However, in this game, only one person is flying on a huge starship, who had fallen asleep for over two hundred years, but on September 6, 2801, the onboard systems ordered: "Wake up! Prepare for landing!" Poor our hero, he still does not know what awaits him in the Land of Shadows... In the game itself, the colorful graphics are very carefully drawn, down to every pixel, the hero's movements are smooth but fast enough, unlike the INTRO, where the sound is poor; throughout the game, a pleasant, unobtrusive melody plays. All control is done using regular five buttons, and the FIRE key works very intelligently (a note to game makers!), - if you press it during the game, an arrow appears, which has access to the table-icons. Please, - use items, call additional menus, in short, work as in "Star Legacy". Press the button again, - move your hands and legs again, shove plastic or, say, wooden cards into all the gaps of suitable size. Moreover, all descriptions of items and other messages are presented in Slovak, which, of course, is closer to us Slavs than English. Although, of course, there are also curiosities. For example, if you find the "Kick the skinny" option in the additional menu, then you won't shove any "Hu" anywhere, but simply turn off the music. "Kick the fat", - accordingly, the opposite. As mentioned above, the game consists of three parts, - access to the first part is free, to the second it is closed with the code "MEGAPOLIS", to the third - "STELLARIS". The authors of the program did not provide any loading onto magnetic media, which means that the game should be completed quite easily, so if anyone wants to write a detailed description of how they managed to do it, we would be happy to publish that description. I have no doubt that this game will soar to the top of all charts.
BOOVIE 48/128K, KVL/PROXIMA'1994 A very simple yet captivating game with quite decent graphics and musical accompaniment. The plot of this interesting game is a mix of "Boulder" and "Sokoban", - in all 40 levels, you need to push a white stone to the exit of the maze, making sure not to accidentally shove it into a corner and not to drop one of the heavy objects on your head, which, naturally, increases the further you go into the game. But these objects can also help you; for example, you can use them to trap an enemy or block a pit. Transparent stones, in addition, can simply be crushed if you're sure of their uselessness. Just don't rush too much, - there's no time limit to complete the task, but if you get stuck, you'll have to press "BREAK" and start all over again. Fortunately, after each completed level, a code is given to access the next one, which allows the player to experiment with trial and error. The first levels of the game can be completed in one breath, but after the second dozen, you'll have to think hard. By the way, on the disk, somewhere near the game, there should also be a file with the official help: descriptions of items, objects, etc.
TOWDIE 48/128K, DSA Computer Graphics'1993 Well, fans of Dizzy, have you not gotten bored waiting for the release of the next Smagli, Santa Claus, or the 49th iron? Have you not forgotten how to brew a potion in the cauldron for Zack or where to step to fall into the other world? Yes, there are still unexplored mazes and unused items, moreover, there is even a new, unseen hero of your adventures! So, meet - TOWDIE, - but this does not translate as "Tower of Death", no, - this is the name of a small and very cute little devil. Why cute? Play, and you'll see for yourself what funny faces he makes and how he reacts to your actions, not always correct for him. Overall, the game makes quite a good impression, - an extensive gaming space, a bunch of items, musical accompaniment. Instead of coins, collect fly agarics - their number is displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, and in the upper right, as usual, energy. All dialogues are in Slovak.
ORION 48/128K, KVL/PROXIMA'1993 Shall we fly? Shall we shoot? Why not, especially if the graphics, plot, weapon upgrades, and variety of enemies in the game resemble R-TYPE, - probably the best game in the genre of space shootouts.
WACKY RACES 48/128K, HI-TEC & PAL DEVELOPMENTS'1992 I wonder what associations arise when you think of games like HONG KONG PHOOEY, SCOOBY & SCRAPPY DOO, POTSWORTH, TURBO the TORTOISE... Well, of course, - jumping over bumps and platforms, elevators, collecting bonuses, and falling into water pits... No wonder, since all these games were made by the same company, they look like twin brothers. And today we have another masterpiece on the agenda, which, however, differs from the previous ones. First of all, it has extraordinary difficulty in passing. The third level is already a problem, and there are only six in total. Secondly, each level consists of two stages: first, you jump on islands in a racing car (imagine that!), and then, upon arrival at the destination, in a calm environment, you collect bombs with lit fuses. Unfortunately, the game has very poor musical accompaniment - there are barely audible weak effects in 128K mode, and for 48K, you can't hear anything but grave silence.
SHERWOOD 48/128K, DSA Computer Graphics'1992 "Year 1148, Robin, son of Robert of Locksley, returned home from Jerusalem, where he fought alongside Richard to save the Holy Land from the infidels. While he was fighting, the brother of the king - Prince John - sat on the throne of England. Robin found his home destroyed and his father dead. This was the work of the Sheriff of Nottingham, a servant of Prince John. And Robin swore at his father's grave that he would take revenge on the enemy. Together with his childhood friend, the miller's son, he went into Sherwood Forest and became known as a bandit. Hearn, the king of the forest, presented Robin with a magical bow and said..." Thus, knowing two Slavic languages, Russian and Ukrainian, one can quite freely read in a third language, for example, Slovak. And one will have to read a lot, as this new game is practically a text adventure, although it closely resembles DEFENDER of the CROWN. The game has beautiful graphics, music for AY is absent, although the sound for the beeper is quite impressive. Even I, not being an adventure genre player, enjoyed rolling dice in the tavern and shooting arrows at the target.
MYSTICAL 128K, INFOGRAMES'1991 After all the CASTLE MASTER and TOTAL ECLIPSE, this work seems somewhat unusual for this company, which specializes in filled 3D graphics. Nevertheless, the game is simply mesmerizing. Isn't it original: controlling a bald monk, to persistently move forward, fighting monsters, ghosts, heretics, and other sinful filth with prayers and makeshift items that occasionally appear on the dangerous path. It should be noted how beautifully this unusual weapon is applied and how beautifully it is displayed through meticulously drawn graphics in the style of GAUNTLET 3. The game consists of four levels, at the end of each, as usual, you need to defeat a large and strong enemy. Moreover, each level consists of three stages, and when a stage is completed, you need to stand in the center of a star drawn on the ground and press something. By the way, you can play in two, - for this, in the first seconds of the game, you need to press the FIRE button of the second player, and in addition to the monk MAGO, a GOLEM will be added, although he is of little use. Excellent musical arrangement. Unfortunately, there is only a version for 128K, although, during the restoration of the program, the architecture of the main game block aimed at working in 48K was clearly traced, but the levels only reached us in 128K.
JMENO RUZE 128K, KVL/PROXIMA'1991 Again, our neighbors in Europe have made an effort, this time for fans of such old and well-known games as SPELLBOUND, KNIGHT TIME, and STORMBRINGER. As in these games, the main character of JMENO RUZE quickly moves through the maze, communicates with various useful and harmful characters, uses scattered items, and controls actions through a menu.
SUPER CARS 128K, GREMLIN Graphics'1990 The story of the disk version is the same - we only received the version for 128K, although initially, the game had both a "page" version for 128K and separate loads for 48K. However, the story is not new to us - TERMINATOR 2 was also long considered a 128K ONLY game, although later a version for simpler machines was found. I have no doubt that this game will take a worthy place in your collection. Even for people far from racing, it will be very pleasant to zoom around in a small car, shoving opponents aside, mainly because the game has very good controls for such a class of games. The view of the car is from above, and it responds very obediently to any of your commands; completing a couple of tracks even without CHEAT MODE is within the reach of any amateur, especially since the choice of tracks is from a free list. At the beginning of the game, you can peek into the garage or office and spend your 5000 pounds on additional equipment. To win the track, you need to complete 5 laps and cross the finish line first. Quite satisfactory sound effects, music plays throughout the game.
CHUCK YEAGER'S ADVANCED FLIGHT TRAINER 128K, ELECTRONIC ARTS'1988 Another quite cool flight simulator. The fact that full-screen three-dimensional filled graphics are implemented (and you can not only turn on any view from the cockpit but also observe your flight from the side) is worth noting, while around there will be a mass of various foreign objects, the landscape itself. Of course, this could not but affect the sluggishness of the program, but if there is a "Turbo" mode, then flying is quite possible.
LAST NINJA 2 48/128K, SYSTEM 3'1988 Probably, many will be surprised that such a well-known game made it into the news review. I just wanted to draw attention to the power of our version. How many can say that they completed this beautiful game to the end? Some will complain about the lack of levels, others that there are levels, but they do not load from the disk, and others cannot be forced to play without infinite lives. And now for the differences of the new version. First, all six levels are present, and all of them have been checked, although there was also a signature glitch: on the third level, if you encounter the choice of one of the three doors for the second time, you can only go through the middle one. Secondly, since the game is not easy, just before loading, you can choose which level you want to start the game from. At the same time, all necessary items that needed to be carried from the previous level will be with you! Naturally, all necessary tricks are at your service - choose, whether all together or separately: infinite life, energy, time, a lot of shurikens. For those who are taking on this game for the first time, let me remind you of the keys. At any moment in the game, you can slightly modify the controls by pressing the J key. The Q key is for harakiri if you get tired of living. Items are taken with the R key, which is also used to apply them, but you shouldn't have a weapon in your hands. ENTER - item selection, SPACE - weapon selection. After completing the level, the program will ask if you have fully completed the task for that level. Pressing Y loads the next load, N gives you a chance to wander around the familiar area again. In the sixth level, the access code to the safe is 0208, but it can be different if you honestly complete the game from start to finish. The only mystery for me remains how to kill this LAST NINJA, I tried all kinds of weapons; remembering that a real ninja has nine lives, I knocked him down twenty times in a row, but he, the dog, is resilient: he resurrects and goes back to his ways. Various descriptions of this game end approximately the same way: "And now you can fight with Konišuoki himself." And that's it. By the way, with infinite energy, it is not necessary to kill all enemies, unless to test new weapons; it is easier just to run around him, focusing on the main goal. I strongly recommend all lovers of truly beautiful graphics to find and complete this wonderful game.
Well, what do we have for dessert today? Perhaps a few fresh foreign demos.
THE RAVERS PARADISE 48/128K, ILLUSION'1996 A decent work, especially the design and service. The INTRO uses an original method of adjusting the speed of vertical scrolling - by pressing the Q and A keys, you can simply increase/decrease the distance between lines. After the INTRO, a menu will load. You select one of nine melodies with the arrow and load it. And now problems may begin. The fact is that the melodies are quite cool and made in the style of our INSTRUMENT, meaning they are played with digitized instruments, and if your port decoding suffers, then instead of coolness, you will hear silence. But you can trick a piece of hardware: choose the BEEPER option in the menu instead of AY, increase the volume, and listen through AY, of course, with a loss of quality. I want to draw special attention to the length of the melody and the fact that such long music fits into 48K, even less than that; specifically for music-system enthusiasts, I will say more precisely: from 31342 to 65000 - the actual data, and the remaining 535 bytes - a universal player for three devices.
TRITON MIX 48/128K, TRITON/SPECTRAVISION'1995 The same problems. Again digitization, but, frankly, primitive; the entire memory is filled with data that is played byte by byte through the player. It lasts for a few seconds of sound, and at 48K - for about one and a half seconds. Moreover, it should play on the middle channel, and if your channels are wired differently, it may play on any extreme one. There is, however, also a multicolor, but I only appreciated the original loading from tape, more precisely, its indication. It was a pity to throw it away, so I had to redo it for disk.
TWIN WORLDS 48/128K, EXODUS'1994 A demo in three parts. The first part features quite original scrolling, the second - a mass of DOTS effects, and in the third part again digitization "not for everyone" - of course, it could have been fixed for a specific range of machines, but what will those say who have everything in order with their ports? Let it be as it worked on a real SPECCY.
DUCK MANIA 48/128K, DEPECHE CODE'1993 Unremarkable at first glance, this demo leaves a very pleasant impression by the end of the viewing. Immediately after launching, there is silence in the ears, and on the screen, practically the same. And then it starts: first, a quite decent piece of music appears, ducks start flying back and forth, an additional menu with a selection of melodies, effects, and, believe it or not, a mini-game! Therefore, I sincerely ask you, before erasing this miniature, to watch it to the end; who knows, it might replace many games for you...
That's all for today. This was DESALEX/ARIS Company Ltd X-PROJECT Association.
Contents of the publication: ZX Power #03
- Authors
Details of the team behind ZX Power magazine, including project lead, editor, designers, and contributors. Listing of addresses and contact information for correspondence. Mentions use of external materials and the legal note on intellectual property.
- Introduction
The article discusses the enhancements in the third issue of ZX Power, staff changes, and the involvement of X-Project Association in software distribution.
- Introduction
Introduction to the control features of ZX Spectrum interface, detailing menu navigation and settings adjustments.
- Introduction
An overview of topics and features in ZX Power #03, including game restoration, 3D graphics, and reviews of new software.
- Introduction
Announcement of the upcoming fourth issue of ZX Power magazine, detailing new sections and content, including gaming and music news, contests, and software reviews.
- Education
Discussion on software restoration methods for ZX Spectrum, including finding launch addresses and reverse engineering.
- Literacy
Discussion on methods for automatic sprite mask creation on ZX Spectrum, including algorithms and code examples. Ticklish Jim suggests improvements for future graphic editors. Focus on enhancing game graphics development.
- Literacy Campaign
Description of an innovative method for real-time 3D rendering on ZX Spectrum. It enables faster computation and manipulation of 3D objects compared to traditional methods. The technique holds potential for enhancing vector-based games and demos.
- Educational Program
Exploration of 'cheats' and 'pokes' in ZX Spectrum games, their evolution, methods, and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.
- Various
Analysis of inaccuracies in musical co-processor frequencies on ZX Spectrum. Criticism of existing musical editors for not adjusting constants. Call for improved software with correct frequencies.
- Various
Analysis of discrepancies in musical note frequencies in ZX Spectrum editors, addressing tuning issues caused by clock rate differences between original and modified computers, with historical context on note standardization.
- Various
Discussion on the presence of viruses in IS-DOS systems for ZX Spectrum. Details the discovery and analysis of a virus named vir00mc. Provides insights into virus behavior and prevention methods.
- Miscellaneous
Description of a unique meeting place for computer enthusiasts on a hidden street. Enthusiasts gather not for business but for the love of the virtual world. Conversations range from Spectrum fans to Amiga supporters.
- Various
Description of the Elite-3 ship editor features and functionalities by Thunder and Hawk. Details on menus like Disk, Goods, Equipment, Lasers, and Installations. Mention of authors and additional greetings.
- Miscellaneous
The article discusses the results of a user survey about ZX Spectrum, highlighting demographics, computer types, and software preferences. Key insights reveal the prevalence of long-term users and the popularity of certain models and software. The survey reflects the Spectrum community's interests and future outlooks.
- Miscellaneous
ZX Power announces a contest for contributors, aiming to involve readers in the magazine creation process. Various positions are offered, including freelance correspondent and section editor. A list of topics and guidelines for participation is provided.
- Miscellaneous
Participation in a project for ZX Spectrum software market development is encouraged for authors and traders. Key figures and contact information for software distribution are provided. The goal is to enhance software market access and development.
- Miscellaneous
FunTop98 festival results, including errors in initial graphics compo announcements, apology to participants, and final rankings in various categories.
- Hall of Laughter
A satirical glossary of computer terms for beginners, filled with humorous and absurd definitions.
- Hall of Laughter
A humorous story using chemical elements as metaphors to describe an unusual incident involving friends.
- Hall of Laughter
A parody of 'computer novellas', highlighting the absurdities of the genre. Follows schoolboy Vasechkin's misadventures in a world dominated by Martian invaders. Combines satire with science fiction elements.
- Room of Laughter
Collection of humorous anecdotes featuring the character 'InteInternetchik' facing various internet-related situations.
- Hall of Laughter
A humorous piece mocking Windows' code and bugs, using a satirical version of Windows' source code. It highlights common frustrations with Microsoft's OS, exaggerating them for comic effect. The article combines technical jargon with wit.
- Web
Explanation of modem functions, including signal conversion, data transmission, and indicator lights.
- Web
Comprehensive guide on Hayes modem command set and usage. Includes detailed explanation of basic and additional commands. Explains register settings and practical examples.
- The Web
Detailed explanation of Microcom Networking Protocol (MNP) in Hayes modems. Describes error correction, data compression and class differences. Efficiency and performance improvements in data transmission are highlighted.
- Web
Analysis of Spectrum modems' efficiency and compatibility. Discussion on ZX Spectrum's networking capabilities with ZXNet and FidoNet. Comparison between ZX-specific and Hayes-compatible modems.
- Interview
Interviews with prominent figures from the Spectrum scene, including Ticklish Jim and Rom, discuss personal histories and ongoing projects. Contributions to the Spectrum community and reflections on gaming, demo making, and programming are explored. The challenges and motivations behind sustaining interest in the ZX Spectrum are highlighted.
- Perspective
Presentation of the pre-release of the fantasy text adventure game 'Mirror'. Discusses gameplay, features, and commercial distribution issues. Encourages support for original software to sustain Spectrum development.
- Perspective
Discussion on rumors about Crime Santa Claus-2 and clarification by Ticklish Jim. Details on Crime Santa Claus: Deja Vu demo and its features. Criticism of misinformation in the ZX Spectrum community.
- News
News from the ZX Spectrum scene covering various groups' projects, new software releases, and upcoming events. Highlights include new games, modems, graphic editors, and international projects. The article emphasizes creativity and collaboration across the Spectrum community.
- News
Summary of activities of Chelyabinsk's computer elite in 1998. Focus on projects and contributions of members from various groups. Highlights on individual achievements in game development, demo creation, and music.
- News
Team members of BrokimSoft are actively engaged in various projects. Key figures include Panda, Steeler, Slider, and Ticklish Jim, contributing to graphics, music, and programming. The article highlights their recent activities and collaborations.
- Around the World
Apple announces the IMac, a translucent PC integrating monitor and system block. It features PowerPC 750, USB, and aims to rival Wintel. Steve Jobs anticipates high sales for the consumer market.
- Around the World
Discussion of Intel's transition from x86 to IA-64 architecture, introducing upcoming processors Katmai, Williamette, and Merced. Focus on Williamette's performance and manufacturing improvements. Future prospects for IA-64 in high-performance and server markets.
- Around the World
Bill Gates discussed Windows 98 features, including improved system performance and peripheral support. He highlighted automatic updates and integration of functions resembling internet navigation. Future plans include speech and handwriting recognition.
- Around the World
Discussion of 3D scanning and animation on SGI workstations, including Motion Capture, visual effects, and virtual broadcasting technologies.
- Reading
Continuation of the novel 'Crown and Ring' by E. Nesterenko. A group of warriors and a wizard explore a necropolis seeking a powerful artifact. Challenges arise as they face mystical dangers.
- Reading
A dark night envelopes a city, creating a fearful atmosphere. A young man awakens to sinister darkness forming into a monstrous entity. The narrative explores themes of fear and the metaphysical battle between chaos and order.
- Reading
A romantic evening unfolds into a secret mission where a cyborg reflects on justice, revealing the hidden agenda of machines against humanity.
- Scrap Metal
Description of a hardware mod for ZX Spectrum to enhance graphic capabilities. It increases color combinations by redefining brightness functions without losing compatibility. Instructions are provided for various ZX Spectrum models.
- Scrap Metal
Connecting a Hayes modem to a ZX Spectrum. Discussing address bus wiring and power requirements. Detailing improvements over the original schema.
- Review
The article provides an overview of Spectrum computer magazines, their evolution, purposes, and challenges, highlighting specific publications.
- Overview - Александр Десятниченко
Overview of new software releases on ZX Spectrum including TWILIGHT, BOOVIE, TOWDIE, ORION, WACKY RACES, and more.
- Mail
Review of letters to the ZX Power magazine, with feedback and suggestions on its content and software.
- Mail
An analysis of handwritten letters discussing their unique features. The article introduces a competition to evaluate letters based on various criteria. Statistics of frequent correspondents are also presented.
- Desktop - Alem
ALASM v4.1 assembler-debugger features. Key changes and enhancements introduced since version 2.5. Planned improvements for future versions.
- Melomania
Introduction to 'Melomania', a new section focused on rock music, particularly metal. Discussion of rock bands, including a detailed exploration of MEGADETH's discography. Translation of a KING DIAMOND concert from 1996.
