![PD GAMES REVIEWS](/file/20944/AUCD4.iso/_aacade/website/reviews/pd/title.gif)
The Best, The Good, The Rest, Index.
On this page: Holocaust, RailPro, T-R-O-N, Plig, Kryten 98.
Holocaust follows the rough lines of the well-known PC game 'Worms'. The game now features human players and each player is given a tank on an area of bumpy terrain. The aim, of course, is for each player to try to destroy the others. This can be done using a wide range of weapons which, on firing must be given an angle to fire at and a power (speed) to launch at. Because of this system of entering an angle to fire at, the game is initially very much based upon the idea of trial and improvement but this doesn't last long because you will soon get the hang of guessing the correct angle at which to blast your opponents.
An added twist to the game is the ability to purchase new weapons and warheads with prize money which is gained by winning rounds. There is also a wind factor which can be enabled or disabled to affect the way in which your projectiles fly!
Version 2 improves upon the origional version in many respects. Two of these are the inclusion of computer players and also the ability to save games between rounds. Overall, this game is well worth downloading especially if you like multi-player games, as I do!
Max. players ... 4 --- Status ... £5 shareware
This game is a railway signal box simulator and requires you to guide the trains into their appropriate station or depot. This game is very playable and it is easy to get hooked! I think that even non-rail enthusiasts will probably like this game because it is so easy to get the hang of. The graphics are as good as they need to be for this type of game and there are plenty of confusing and complicated track layouts for you to play with.
The latest version also includes a track map editor for all you model railway builders out there!
Acorn Arcade's own RailPro area is well worth a visit once you've downloaded this excellent game.
Max. players ... 1 --- Status ... freeware
Tron is one of those line games where each player must guide his/her line around the screen without crashing. Its muliti-player option and the power-ups which can be obtained make it a lot more fun than the average Tron light cycles game clone. With its 6 player mode, Tron is an excellent game to play when you have friends around. However, if you have no friends then this game won't be much use as it has no single player mode :-). This game is well worth obtaining.
Max. players ... 6 --- Status ... freeware
Plig is a very simple game, you control a cute looking character who must be guided around a screen, collecting tokens. However, if this sounds too simple, there is a twist, you can only change direction when stationary. This means that the solid objects scattered around the screen must be used to stop your character and change his direction. Later levels include flames which are deadly on contact and also more restricting time limits.
The game has very good graphics and amusing sound effects which add to the already excellent game-play. The game can be downloaded from the link above or can be found on the Acorn User CD no.3 in the 'funland' directory.
Max. players ... 1 --- Status ... freeware
You play the role of Kryten (of Red Dwarf fame) on who wakes up after rebooting to find himself alone in empty quarters. Your mission is to find and revive the rest of the crew. The game is a fairly basic text adventure game, with a simple to use yet effective parser. On bootup a strange mix of the Red Dwarf theme tune is loaded, this alone being reason enough to download the game. The game contains 155 rooms and 84 objects. The locations range from a "little boys' room" to a vat of dogs' milk. Interaction with characters from the main series and the first two books is also possible.
The game plays well, and it is fairly easy to get started. The descriptions and interactions are riddled with in-jokes from the TV series. The game is fairly simple to complete, though some parts can take a while to work out, such as how to speak to the Toaster. However, for anyone who has played Secret Garden or Colossal Cave, it is comparable yet the puzzles are not as abstract.The only real problem with the game is that some knowledge of the Series is required to complete some of the puzzles, and the game is too small.
Max. players ... 1 --- Status ... freeware