RATING: * * * *
A recent trend in Spectrum programs brings the action and realism of the Martial Arts to the monitor screen. Such programs as “The Way of the Exploding Fists”, “Yie Ar Kung Fu”, the popular new “Way of the Tiger”, and “Saboteur!”. There are some folks that just don’t appreciate this sort of thing. (Could it possibly be the violent kicks, punches, use of weapons, and resulting in the complete annihilation of your opponent?) Well, perhaps the taste for this has to be acquired like a fine wine. And I’ll be the first to admit that I can’t pass up a good Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris movie on the telly. It’s make believe and all just good fun.
My personal favorite is SABOTEUR! from Durell Software. Although the program is for the Spectrum, it is my understanding that Knighted Computers here in the States has converted this program for the T/S 2068, and uses the joystick port. If you have the Spectrum version, you can still load it in the 2068 using a Spectrum Emulator or Romswitch.
Why SABOTEUR! works so well, is it’s state-of-the-art graphics, and that the principal character in this game/simulation is a “Ninja”. Yes, perhaps the most ruthless and mystical “style” of the Martial Arts. And this Ninja is no exception…he has all the tricks of the trade including access to shirkens, swords, several explosives, and of course a kicking/punch combination.
TIME DESIGNS SOFTWARE RATING SYSTEM * Buy at your own risk. * * Mediocre. * * * A diamond in the rough. * * * * Try it, you'll like it. * * * * * Receives "Hall of Fame" status.
As a Ninja and special government agent, your mission is to approach a huge warehouse by sea, search the building for a special computer disk, and escape with it via a helecopter that is parked on the roof. In the meantime, you must thwart off armed guards (who also are trained in the “arts”), guard dogs and automatic laser weapons that track you by video camera. Its a very difficult mission indeed. Fortunately, there a nine skill levels to choose from. Level one will allow you to practice what you need to know for other more difficult levels.
The Ninja is controlled with five keys on the keyboard, or by one of the popular British joystick interfaces for this Spectrum version. Your Ninja can climb up ladders, jump, kick up and out, climb down or crouch (to avoid being kicked and punched), move right or left, take objects, and throw or use these objects.
The animation in SABOTEUR! is just suberb. It must be seen to be appreciated. Along with a complex series of rooms, ladders, and platforms, it all adds up to be a truly enjoyable and addictive game (a bit frustrating at first). Probably not everyones “cup of tea”.
SABOTEUR! is available from several British software houses for £8.95. Contact Knighted Computers in the U.S. for the special T/S 2068 version.
–D. Hutchinson