A simple idea perfectly executed
We are a penguin who has somehow fallen down a mineshaft. To escape, we need to collect colourful blocks which are raining down from above using our heads. Yes, I said using our head!! Before a level begins, we are instructed on the number and type of each block to be nutted by our noggin before a timer expires.
The ones that you miss will fall onto the ground, and these then become radioactive (I presume). And that also means they will slide away to the sides of the screen. Your job is to hop over them without dying, and that's as technical as it gets. Thankfully, there is a password system to skip directly to any level - brilliant!!
Surely I can beat Tony Hart and Les Dennis!!!
Surely I can beat Tony Hart and Les Dennis!!!
Input & Output
Controls are best using a joystick (keyboard sucks). You can move left/right plus hitting the fire button (or pushing upwards) allows you to leap over the radioactive sliding blocks. Right from the start, the gameplay is fast, and I'm impressed with the superbly responsive controls. In fact, they are perfect.
Graphically, these mineshafts aren't half bleak: a black screen with colourful blocks. Okay, the penguin sprite is cute, the palette is always bright and bold for those squares, and everything breezes along at a smooth pace. I love the menus, which are very kaleidoscopically, and something like you would see in a demo!
Graphically, these mineshafts aren't half bleak: a black screen with colourful blocks. Okay, the penguin sprite is cute, the palette is always bright and bold for those squares, and everything breezes along at a smooth pace. I love the menus, which are very kaleidoscopically, and something like you would see in a demo!
Audio is where things shine, and throughout are some of the most spectacular tunes by musicians like Tao, Big Alec, Sally of STAX(hello Jon!), Mad Max and Count Zero. All are electrifying and something special.
A password system? Ohh, brillopads!! ^ ^
A password system? Ohh, brillopads!! ^ ^
The CryptO'pinion?
This is a frantic game that I've thoroughly enjoyed - even if it did drive me nuts!! I'm unsure whether it will appeal to everyone, but give it a go because you never know. My only criticism is the lack of a points display, which means you won't know whether you've done enough to progress - until the timer has expired.
Oh No! Not More Radioactive Mineshafts is infuriatingly addictive and will have you screaming at your SC1224 in no time. It is irritating, agonising and yet ever so simple and addictive. An exhilarating game!
Oh No! Not More Radioactive Mineshafts is infuriatingly addictive and will have you screaming at your SC1224 in no time. It is irritating, agonising and yet ever so simple and addictive. An exhilarating game!
Download from AtariMania or
Atari Legend - Pure Energy menu disk [video]
