Color Clash

To compensate for the lack of sounds, I decided to add a background tune - by The Phantom.

ZX Spectrum colour clash?

No, Colour Clash is a puzzler released in 1992 by AnimalSoft and stars Antonius the chameleon who has been captured by a mad scientist. Yup, there is usually some crazy fool trying to rule our world and this one has decided to force a chameleon to complete a maze. The task? To find dead flies - and eat them.

The first room is easy to demonstrate the basic mechanics whilst giving a feel of how to control Antonius. Here we learn that he can jump but can only eat the flies from a horizontal direction. Also, there are always nasties to avoid which can cause our critter to explode into pieces with a touch. Ouch, this game is so unique!

You'll need to stop and think a lot so check out a couple of screenshots for an idea of what to expect...

(top) I found it easy. But (lower) is something that had me stumped for a *long* time... sigh!

My brain hurts!

It's not until the later levels that you realise we can gain a few extra abilities to help us out. These are enabled by collecting coloured cards that not only change our chameleon's appearance but also activate a new ability:

* Red allows us to reach high places by inflating ourselves like a balloon!
* Green is pretty cool because we can now use our tail as a weapon.
* Blue gives us a long and sticky tongue which is great for moving objects.
* Yellow turns us back to our default colour and we can also jump.

Figuring out how each room can be completed is taxing on the old brain cells. This kind of game will catch you out about planning the best route - and how best to use your special abilities. After all, any card can only be collected (and used) only once. This means that whenever you return back to default, you cannot switch to another colour unless there is a card to collect. Thankfully, there is no time limit!!

Colour Clash has a password feature - so blow on a trumpet whilst dancing naked in the streets!! This is a fabulous addition and something I wish more games had as it makes your progression far more achievable. No longer will you need to restart from scratch each and every time. Well done AnimalSoft, top marks.

Fancy another couple of screenshots. Of course, you do so here you go...

(top) is easy and so obvious! But (lower) is the dreaded level 11 which has me stumped!!

Input & Output

The joystick controls are dead simple to move Antonius and the fire button performs a leap (or a special ability). Pushing upwards will pause the game where you can also access the menu bar which provides three choices: DEF means default and will turn Antonius back to his default colour of yellow. NOT will do nothing and return you to the game. KIL explodes our loveable chameleon if ever you need to restart.

Aesthetically, we have a basic appearance with little audio. That may seem naff to some, but no game needs spanky visuals to be enjoyable (especially a puzzler). However, having said that, and in true AnimalSoft tradition, the sprites are gorgeous - cute and beautifully drawn. However, I do wish there was a background tune.

It looks like an Amstrad game (with superb sprites) but I'll dump more screenshots on you...

(top) is so frustratingly obvious, but (lower) is tricky and requires serious thought.

The CryptO'pinion?

I've enjoyed this brain-blaster and that's not something I often say about a puzzler thanks to my short temper! As I write, I still cannot beat level 11, which has me stumped!! However, the game loses none of its appeal during these moments. Each day I've found myself staring at my monitor - baffled but optimistic.

A torturous puzzler and one I thoroughly recommend, even if they spelt colour clash incorrectly :^)

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A shout out to one of our kind Patreons who suggested I play something by AnimalSoft. Richard Davey, you were absolutely right about AnimalSoft and their cunning puzzler!!

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My Level Codes

Level 1  - Starring

Level 2  - Antonius

Level 3  - Coloring

Level 4  - Rainbows

Level 5  - Bestowed

Level 6  - With The

Level 7  - Enormous

Level 8  - Quest Of

Level 9  - Escaping

Level 10 - From The

Level 11 - EvilOnes
Level 12 - ????????

Update

See the comments for every level code (credit Pelle).
This image of all 36 levels was donated by Richard Davey.

A massive /|\ thank you to both guys!! :-)