The Untouchables

I need a cold beer!

When I first started playing this game, I thought it was a damn fine platform/shooter with some pretty cool graphics that scroll across the screen very smoothly. The gameplay isn't easy, it's frantic and never lets up so is very challenging. But it's all downhill after this stage because the other levels feel rushed and I never did enjoy "shooting gallery" games outside of the arcades. The Untouchables might be showing off its diversity but sometimes enough is enough.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is the final level which I hoped would share some similarities with Alien Syndrome or Gauntlet. Sadly this wasn't the case and I think the developers are truly sadistic!! An irritating level. So, the first level is brilliant because it's all about killing people but, the other levels? Hmm, not so much.

I feel bad writing this as Ocean are gaming gods with quality Atari ST games within their library. Heck, I remember Ocean when they were called Spectrum Software, but every company made some stinkers, right?

A game with many genres doesn't work. Well, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. In fact, this game fails because it becomes a jack of all trades rather than a master. The first level is great and I would rate this around 90% because it's really enjoyable. However, everything else afterwards isn't. So, an overall rating for The Untouchables will be 60%.

They should have gone for quality over quantity. Play the first level only!

Cheats for the floppy game -

1. Pause the game first with F10 key and then :
2. Level 1 - type in BRIDGE ROLLS to begin level 2
3. Level 2 - type in MAC N ALLEY to begin level 3
4. Level 3 - type in KID ZAPPING to begin level 4
5. Level 4 - type in A NIT IN TIME to begin level 5

Cheats for the hard drive game -

1. Pause with F10
2. then press N N (twice) to skip to the next level.

Yeah, I own this game!! :o)

The Curse Of Bolda

Crazy Kid Kevin!

The Curse Of Bolda is a scrolling platformer by Ben Pritchard for FloppyShop's platinum range. Once again, Kevin is the star with five levels. These are split into three segments, the first two are free-roaming worlds collecting jewels, shooting monsters, and solving puzzles (locked doors & operating platforms). Tools can be collected and (using the function keys) provide a variety of uses - like a jetpack!! The third stage is an automated arena where Kevin must manoeuver through the hazards until reaching the scary rock demon, Bolda!

A good platformer and you can now download the full registered version :)

Cybernoid - The Fighting Machine

8-Bit conversions suck!

Cybernoid is a shooter developed by a legend - someone who rocked the 8-bit world, Raffaele Cecco. Yep, I was a Spectrum owner and it seemed everyone was crazy about him back then and rightly so. However, the 16-bitters received many dodgy conversions so I was more than a little dubious upon loading Cybernoid.

Our game is by Tony Cooper and is thankfully amazing. Offering the same level of thrills as the original, its gameplay is smooth with comfortable controls that are responsive throughout each of the spruced-up screens. Yes, graphically, this is head and shoulders above the original with eye-popping colours and lovely animations. The sound effects are a joy, accompanied by a fantastic chiptune. I really do mean fantastic!!

However, this is one tough cookie. No, it's an incredibly tough cookie with a few intense screens!! It will take many attempts to master its cruel personality. It's especially annoying when enemies can seem to fire their weapons through solid walls or objects. Stick with it because Cybernoid is awesome and ultra-addictive.

Crack the cunning learning curve and you have a wonderful and challenging shooter!

>>> UPDATE <<<

see the latest posting for Cybernoid which is mapped!