A FUSION RETRO PUBLICATION

NO.0 DECEMBER 2020

0p

FREE SAMPLER

STILL THE BEST

SPECTRUM
MAGAZINE…
34 YEARS ON!
OVER 10
NEW GAMES
REVIEWED
NICK ROBERTS’S
PLAYING TIPS
RETURNS

COVER
UM

CRACKERS
The best game cover art remembered
IL
TR
A

SIMON BUTLER’S
TR

I L
LL

M Y

SCREEN$
RA
U ER
U R PR BE
E
EC

S ! TR E V

8-bit art celebration T

R

A PE NT

E
N

ST C
TU

UR
LI
SI S I
O

T
TH O D

PLUS! LLOYD MANGRAM’S FORUM IS BACK!

C
N

N F N

N
E R A
SP
H
WE

VE
TE L
IT

MR HAIR AND THE FLY, RAT-A-TAT, DUCKSTROMA,

R A
V

A IT

AD
RESTLESS ANDRE, COLORISTIC… AND MORE!
U G
D

Q DI
A

IN
 CRASH Micro SAMPLER

Managing Editor FEATURES REGULARS

Chris Wilkins
Adventure Editor 14 COVER CRACKERS 4 EDITORIAL
Colin Bell Let us not forget the cover art on A brand new start, and a
Playing Tips Editor the games we played. Graeme handover from old to new.
Nick Roberts Mason picks a year, then picks Roger says farewell, as a new
Technical Editor his favourite six! editor takes the reins.
Alan Hammerton
Staff Writer 18 NICK ROBERTS’S
Lloyd Mangram PLAYING TIPS
Copy-editor ARTICLES The CRASH Tipster returns
Gareth Perch with a load of those POKE
Page Design & 26 SIMON BUTLER’S thingies and other useful hints.
Layout SCREEN$
Chris Wilkins Another delicious helping of 8-bit 20 LLOYD MANGRAM’S
art. FORUM
Contributing Writers Lloyd has dusted off his
Simon Butler, typewriter for a new adventure
Alan Hammerton, — let’s hope he is nice to our
Gordon King, readers.
Paul Davies,
Martyn Carroll 22 ADVENTURE TRAIL
Craig Turner, Colin Bell takes on the
Graeme Mason. adventure from the late,
but never forgotten, Stuart
© 2020 Fusion Retro Books Williams.
CRASH is published by
Fusion Retro Books 28 SIGN OFF
Dencer Drive, A thank you to Mr Kean for all
Kenilworth he has done for us Crash fans.
CV8 2QR

No material may be reproduced

SAMPLER
in whole or in part without
written consent of the copyright
holders. Unsolicited written
or photo material which may
be used in the Annual is paid
for at our current rates (not a
lot, by the way). The opinions
and views of correspondents
are their own and are not
necessarily in accordance with Subscribe on our Patreon page:
those of the publisher.
The CRASH name is © Future www.patreon.com/crashmagazine
Publishing and the Annual is produced
under licence; the CRASH logo style is
© Oliver Frey.
Cover by Oliver Frey.
 CRASH, BANG,
WALLOP!
first, with the able
help of 17-year-old
Matthew Uffindell
playing whichever
game it was as I
attempted to turn
three enthusiastic
playground write-
ups into intelligible
reviews without
altering their
combined opinion.
Somehow, I think we
succeeded.
A NEW DAWN CRASH’s unique However, my first
APPROACHES reviewing system words in the editorial Long live CRASH
was born. In the still hold well for the indeed — great
I’d be lying if I prior months, at future of CRASH, I words Roger, and
claimed to know the Ally Pally ZX think. Musing on the thank you from all of
what were the first Micro Fairs, Oli and magazine’s name us readers, fans and
words that I typed I had made friends I wrote: ‘I like to friends for everything
for issue one of with most fledgling think it symbolises you have created
CRASH, but I expect software companies more the power and contributed to
they were for a game whose games we and strength of the over many years,
review. Our mail sold. computer game than including Newsfield
order catalogues Now it was anything else. and beyond. You
were packed with different. How As a magazine continue to be an
‘reviews’ of games was I to explain title CRASH is short, inspiration to many.
both wonderful to XYZ Software sharp and to the And so here we
(Jetpac, Manic that a twinkly- point, and anyway are — a new issue
Miner) and awful eyed 13-year-old it makes it the only of CRASH in a new
(enter appropriate Ludlow schoolboy computer magazine format that I hope
title here), but we said their prized without the word you all will enjoy
were flogging as Froggerpede Attack computer stuck each quarter.
many titles as we was ‘a steaming somewhere in it, and We will be cov-
could, so they pile of w**k’? (apart that must be worth ering all the latest
were hardly critical from a lecture that some points!’ As games on both the
reviews. And they it doesn’t actually I hand over to the Spectrum and Next,
brought in the local steam —‘Haha, sir, next generation, so with a smattering of
kids to buy from the and how do you many years later, let features and regular
door and several know that?’ ‘Get my last words be: slots you all love.
of those sprightly outta here!’). And Long live CRASH! Long live CRASH!
horrors came back so, battling to write
to complain...and critical, honest
so the idea for game reviews came

4 CRASH Micro Sampler

THE NEW CRASH COVER
So another CRASH Annual is about to be in
the hands of fans. Over the last number of
months I have been regularly asking, ‘Is it done
yet?’ with responses from Oli over the weeks
of, ‘Nearly, just “this” to do, and “that” to do’.
Roger tells me that this is what it was like back
in the day, so I have got used to nagging Oli
now, and he is used to being nagged. Here are
a few pics of the cover, based on XXX.

1
2 3

4 5
6

1. First sketch on back of an envelope, getting the

composition dynamics sorted.
2. Enlarged rough on 4 sheets of A4 with logo, straps
for guide, ready to trace down onto art board
3. Traced down pencil and start of b/w wash inking
underpaint.
4. XXX — it was a job, ‘scumbling’ the colours for
drama and risking ruining everything if it didn’t
work
5. Background landscape painted in, ready to paint
XXXX.
6. Finished

CRASH Micro Sampler 5

COLORISTIC
Author: Martin Borik,
ub880d
Memory: 48K/128K
Released: 2020

A h, the sedate
puzzle game;
lives aren’t at
stake, there is
no approaching
menace to thwart
and there is no time
limit to hinder one’s
progress.
The mobile
phone market is
common place for
such “toilet seat” appeals to me in
entertainment these moves must be used Coloristic is the look
days, so it’s good must be taken, so up. The learning of it. It looks like an
to see it return to for example, if your curve gradually inbuilt game that you
a format which start point states ‘5’ builds up over the would choose from
doesn’t have a then you must use 80 levels and by the Spectrum 128K
huge abundance of up all five moves. the last 20, you will menu.
games of this genre. With each step, the most certainly be The off-white
Coloristic is a counter deducts by challenged to the background, the
minimalistic puzzler one, therefore it’s max. shadowed boxes
based on the mobile easy to keep tabs on and the fonts used
game of the same your movements. CRITICISM all add up to make
name. The main idea This is simple it look operating
is for the player to enough in the • The first thing that system bespoke.
fill all the squares on first few levels as
a tile-based grid by there is only one
moving a coloured line available to
line, square by manoeuvre around
square and within the grid. As the
a finite number of game progresses
moves. Your origin you find yourself in
square, where control of up to five
you start off from different lines (all
indicates how many can be chosen with
moves you have and the numeric keys at
you can move in any any time) and you
90 degree direction must logically solve
from there, barriers the correct routes
permitting. All moves for all of them — all

6 CRASH Micro Sampler

 C•O•L•O•R•I•S•T•I•C
It is a lovely my attention starting
slow-paced game in to wane — I felt
which I had all the I had seen and
time in the world to played enough.
make my decisions. Repetition aside,
At first, it was rather I found the game
easy and the early really enjoyable and
levels acted as a I loved the brilliant
simple tutorial. But AY music that
before I knew it, the accompanied the
difficulty crept up experience.
and I found myself Gordon King

but underneath more go’ to see if I

is a fiendishly could get to the next
challenging game level.
which really shows Chris Wilkins
its colours on the
later levels as the
difficulty setting is COMMENTS
ramped up.
What is great Control keys:
about new releases Q, A, O, P
on the Spectrum is Joystick: Kempston
that many come with Graphics: Subtle, but
a great AY tune — smooth
and that is what we Sound: Fantastic 128K
have here and it’s a music/sound
joy to listen to. General rating:
Overall a nice A lovely laid-back
little game, that I puzzler, but eventually
kept coming back repetitive.
to, to have ‘one
really having to think CRITICISM
and juggle between
the different • What a great game Use of Computer 70%
coloured lines I to play on a chilling Graphics: 69%
could choose. Sunday afternoon to Playability: 80%
However, as pass the time. Getting started: 85%
the game goes on The game looks Addictive Qualities: 77%
and the difficulty quite simple in Overall: 78%
increases, I found its presentation,

CRASH Micro Sampler 7

BLOCKZ
Author: want you to have
Raymond Russell too much control
Memory: 48K on which way the
blocks move —
Released: 2020
their movement is
dictated for you. options including

W hen you think

of block puzzle
games, the usual
This can mean
only one thing —
lots of planning and
a demonstration
to show you how
the game works.
different types of
arrows on them that
dictate which way
Tetris-types spring to forward thinking. The title music is they will move when
mind, or indeed the With the challenge quite splendid and you select them.
original itself. Many of the blocks playing features different An arrow moving to
have come and gone by their own rules, tunes throughout the the right and then
and with most, the and a time limit to game which are also bending upwards
aim is to clear the boot, you have here very good. Start the will have it moving
screen of the blocks a very tricky yet game and you’ll find right and then
to move to the next compelling puzzler a wall surrounding turning upwards,
level. indeed. the screen and a set for example. Some
This one, of blocks around the will have multiple
however, is a CRITICISM inside. To clear the directions whilst
little different. blocks, you need others just the one.
Not content with • BlockZ introduces to find a way to get It’s worth noting
you having to fit itself with a nice the rocks to touch that you can move
blocks into spaces, flashy logo and one another at the each block more
author Raymond a menu with end of their move. than once if there is
Russell does not a selection of The blocks have space to do so —
although each of the
moves will be in the
same direction.
What proves
interesting is that
should your block
have more than one
direction but is not
able to complete
its initial move, it
will carry out its
secondary direction
which often comes
in handy.
BlockZ is a nicely
put together game,
and coupled with
a great soundtrack
makes the package
complete. It’s a great
challenge with a
nice new twist to the

8 CRASH Micro Sampler

 RESTLESS ANDRE
Publisher: threat to life if I dare
not the ESPECTROTEAM venture into this
prettiest Authors: aquatic frontier.
puzzle thing to look at Jaime Grilo, Restless Andre
genre of games but everything is is a top-down,
Pedro Pimenta
that will have you very functional single-screen affair
playing for a good and it’s clear Filipe Veiga in which you control
while. It will also what each block’s Memory: 48K Andre, who begins
have you pulling at characteristics are. Released: 2020 the game as a nutter
your hair at some Each level doesn’t of a swimmer tasked
points though, in a really change in with navigating the
good way.
Paul Davies
appearance all that
much so you pretty
much have 50 levels
It only took a
lifetime to build
up the courage
maze of harbour
walls to collect a
variety of items
CRITICISM of similar puzzles to return to the within the landscape
to solve. It is in this open water. Jaws in order to progress
• Sedate, tile-based that it gets a tad achieved irreparable to the next level. Of
puzzlers are the repetitive for me as damage for keen course (and back
perfect thing for there is no sense
a rainy Sunday of progress beyond
afternoon; the ‘yet another level’.
roast is in the oven I did find the time
and you just want limit to the level
to slouch and not both enjoyable and
overly occupy your frustrating.
adrenal glands Gordon King
during a mini-
gaming session. COMMENTS
BlockZ is just the
ticket for that. Control keys:
From the outset, Q, A, O, P / Defineable
this taxing little Graphics: A good
title does not hold smattering of colour
your hand — one Sound: oceanic swimmers, to the Thalasso-
mistake and it will 128K tune and effects convincing the world phobia), there are
cost you a retry life. General rating: A of the dangers that the creatures of the
In the aesthetics clever, but fiddly puzzle lurked within its deep to avoid at all
department, it’s game. realms. 40+ years costs, as they are
on, and this scarred fatally dangerous. A
Use of Computer 70% reviewer is about number of them rove
Graphics: 60% to dip his toe in the in a predetermined
Playability: 75% ocean again; along fashion, while others
Getting started: 75% comes Restless are as random as a
Addictive Qualities: 70% Andre to remind me plate of jelly on the
Overall: 73% that there truly is a Waltzers. �

CRASH Micro Sampler 9

 some neat animation COMMENTS
on our protagonist
and particularly on Control keys:
the sharks you have Defineable
to avoid. It’s a nice Joystick: None
challenging little Graphics: As good as
puzzler requiring they need to be for this
some expert timing type of game.
in order to progress Sound: Functional
� There are sharks, to the next level. It General rating: Nicely
sea-urchins, and issue I have is the has enough charm to made, well presented,
stingray to contend bloody difficulty keep you hooked. but it’s never going to
with that make — is it just me, or Paul Davies be a firm favourite.
completing a simple have my evasion
collect-em-up task a skills in games
dire challenge. declined greatly as I Use of Computer 79%
Fortunately for approach the wrong Graphics: 76%
those who don’t side of 40? I thrice- Playability: 75%
like it wet, the game fold died before I Getting started: 76%
progresses onto dry barely set foot in the Addictive Qualities: 65%
land upon which our water; the random Overall: 74%
fidgety hero drives movement of some
cars over various of the baddies made
terrain, avoids
desert hotrods and
it hard for me to
gauge timing in such DUCKSTROMA
metropolis traffic. small confines.
Authors:
Then in true ‘I’m Perseverance shysters is proba-
bored with this!’ paid off and I man- AB-UltraNarwhal, bly the single most
fashion, he even aged to escape the Shiru challenging thing
flies an aeroplane to clutches of the water Memory: 48K, 128K that faces any new
satisfy his adrenaline and made it to the Released: 2020 contender.
addiction (and lack land and skies... and Our duck hero
of attention span). died some more. Aura is about to
Each of these
themes help to inject
some variety into
Clearly, I enjoyed
it enough to want
to see more — and
I n the cutthroat
world of the
courier business
have her most
dangerous day yet;
the consignment
what is otherwise I’m glad I did, but your trust, and that she’s agreed
the same core game the game has no more importantly, to will be her
of 20 levels. real staying power. expediency, is most dangerous.
It’s ultimately very paramount to Normally, she would
CRITICISM repetitive hiding survival. We’ve all pick up the package
behind the veneer had that less-than- from the client and
• Overall the game that is a variety of fortunate experience deliver it to the
is charming, and graphical changes with the nameless recipient. On this
it genuinely looks throughout the few dispatchers who
good and plays game. disapprovingly throw
rather well. It’s Gordon King our anticipated
accompanied by a parcels into wheelie
really excellent 128K CRITICISM bins and hedges.
tune that is sure to Proving your
be an earworm in • The game is nice company is not one
my head. The main and colourful with of those fly-by-night

10 CRASH Micro Sampler

occasion, however, patiently
she has to she has timing a CRITICISM
to navigate her way pathway
around the client’s through the • Duckstroma has
estate in order to menacing a lovely graphical
collect eight floppy denizens of intro, with a very
disks. The way is the day, our catchy 128K tune
fraught with dangers webbed playing along which
— rabid-rabbits, feet gives a fantastic first
robots, and floating wanderer impression of the
mines are but a few can find game.
of the hazards that her way to all the able to study it and The graphics of
endanger Aura’s locations where the work out the best this platformer are
brutal deadline. disks are stored. route to take — that top notch, and using
This cutesy, flick This was clearly didn’t mean I was your ‘laid’ egg to get
screen platformer not in the job successful, but it to various parts of
involves our description. does suggest that each screen is rather
feathered heroine the rooms are well creative (last time I
taking huge risks CRITICISM laid out. The 128K saw an egg explode
by navigating the music is absolutely like this was in the
terrain, avoiding the • The overall incredible, and it’s microwave).
dangers, and using presentation of one of those games Enjoyable — and
the power of her Duckstroma is very you’d fire up with that 128K tune is so
eggs to reach those cheerful indeed. the sole purpose of gorgeous, this game
inaccessible places. The general, and listening to the tune. is one of those you
The latter is a key highly colourful, The few things load up just to listen
feature to the game, aesthetics are a that do bother me to the tune.
and once the egg is treat to the eyes. are the sluggish and Chris Wilkins
laid, it counts down With the graphical jerky movements of
the sprites — it just
doesn’t feel smooth COMMENTS
enough for full
enjoyment. Some of Control keys:
the animation frames Q, A, O, P
of the enemy sprites Joystick: Kempston,
are out of alignment, Sinclair.
so they look a little Graphics: A good
erratic during their smattering of colour
looping cycle. None Sound: Brilliant 128K
of this is major, but tune and effectsune
it does detract from General rating: A fun
the game’s overall old-school platformer
immersion. that is flawed but still
Gordon King very decent.
until it explodes. style and the screen
This provides the lift layouts, I found this Use of Computer 80%
that Aura requires very Monty Mole- Graphics: 86%
and launches her like, which induced Playability: 79%
beyond the height copious amounts Getting started: 81%
of her regular of nostalgia in me. I Addictive Qualities: 77%
jump. Mastering found that with each Overall: 79%
this technique and new room, I was

CRASH Micro Sampler 11

RAT-A-TAT
Author: John tow, and started
Davies, Pedro making plans for his
Pimenta, Andy visit.
Green Unfortunately, bit of jump on him and occasionally in
Memory: 128K a rather large which is good, as their multiples, it’s
Released: 2020 storm interrupted sometimes there’s definitely a challenge
proceedings and quite a distance getting to those

I’m sure on a lot

of flights across
the world, there will
shook the cargo
doors open, leaving
Ratty, and his
between platforms
— these will still
require some pixel
pieces of cheese
and baggage items.
I found some
be a rat or two that suitcase, falling to perfect accuracy of the rooms took
managed to sneak the ground. though. a lot of navigating
aboard a plane and Good job he The one thing and timing to get
you will notice about past dropping
Rat-A-Tat is that nasties, flying birds
once you move and stamping
across to the next machines looking
screen, there’s no to flatten you. The
going back even biggest drawback
if you haven’t in particular in this
collected your area was having to
suitcase item from wait a sustained
the previous room. amount of time to
This is deliberate, as make your move, it
I’m told that you can meant running out of
end up going back energy and having
to these screens to start the game all
hide in the cargo had a parachute. later on in the over again.
hold, eager to bag His suitcase game — should you Paul Davies
themselves a free unfortunately did progress far enough.
flight somewhere. not, so it’s now That’s me out, then. COMMENTS
If they could read down to Ratty to The game itself
then they may have scour the city to look is a pretty standard Control keys:
a clue where they’re for and collect his platform affair Q, W, SPACE
actually headed belongings. With a although there are Joystick: Kempston,
rather than it being hungry belly craving some elements Sinclair
just potluck — cheese and the that require expert Graphics: Colourful
unless of course, usual enemies you timing and skill; Sound: 128K tunes
they were just after find in London (giant with enemies General rating:
an adventure. worms?), how will he moving with various Frustrating but enjoyble
Our protagonist fare in his quest? speeds, patterns at the same time.
here, Ratty, had
always wanted to CRITICISM Use of Computer 75%
visit London, so he Graphics: 78%
scurried on board • Ratty is quite Playability: 74%
the nearest plane spritely, moving Getting started: 80%
heading for the UK around pretty Addictive Qualities: 70%
capital, luggage in smoothly and has a Overall: 72%

12 CRASH Micro Sampler

MR HAIR AND
THE FLY
Hair is well, a single
Author: hair (albeit with a
Lee Stevenson, pair of eyes), this
Pedro Pimenta won’t be an easy
Andy Green task; battling against
Memory: 128K a plethora of nasty
Released: 2020 alien creatures as vines. There is no CRITICISM
well as negotiating ‘fire’ option, so it’s

M r Hair has
taken it upon
himself to rescue
other hazards found
along the way.
all about jumping
and dodging your
enemies to progress.
• The first thing that
whacks you in the
face in Mr Hair is the
and claim back the CRITICISM You’ll find your- colour overload. The
Magical Chalice self doing a lot of game is also rather
which was stolen • The game starts back and forthing busy in each of its
years ago from his off in the energy as you explore and 40+ rooms, with
home planet by an chamber which try to progress. The monster mayhem
evil alien race, in you can navigate reason being that going on in most
the hope of bringing back to at any point the energy cells that of the locations.
peace and harmony to replenish your you need to collect Quite simply, it
back to his world. health, should you open relevant doors, feels chaotic, and
To do this, he feel it’s getting a generate more en- personally, I’d have
must navigate this little on the low ergy cells and make liked the level design
treacherous alien side — an additional platforms appear to be a little more
planet, searching for feature in this game and disappear — Mr restrained. I much
energy cells which and a welcome Hair and the Fly is a prefer not to fight
open up doors and change from the huge improvement with the play area.
create gateways to instant-death of the from the original with Gordon King
once locked away previous Mr Hair the added features
paths, leading game. making this a more COMMENTS
ultimately to the Mr Hair only has rounded game than
key chamber where the ability to walk its predecessor. Control keys:
the Chalice is being left, right and jump Fun, but tough O, P , SPACE
held. and on occasion, and with enough Joystick: Kempston,
Given that Mr climb up and down niceties to keep you Sinclair
encapsulated in Graphics: Bright!
the colourful world Sound: AY music
Mr Hair has found General rating: A
himself in. colourful, addictive and
Paul Davies good looking game.

Use of Computer 82%

Graphics: 84%
Playability: 83%
Getting started: 83%
Addictive Qualities: 82%
Overall: 83%

CRASH Micro Sampler 13

 1982 C OV E R
GAMEACKERS
CR

The best game inlay covers of 1982

In the first of a regular feature, Graeme Mason
discusses six of his favourite Spectrum game
covers from a particular year. This issue, he
focuses on the year when the Speccy first
appeared, 1982.

Penetrator
Melbourne House
Penetrator was one of the big
games of 1982. A shameless
Scramble clone, Melbourne House
included the level designer that
its programmers had used, giving
players the opportunity to design
their own landscapes. With sci-fi
shoot-‘em-ups already common,
artists often struggled to create something eye-
catching for a game that involved little more than a big spaceship
shooting things, and even Oli has been known to express dissatisfaction at having to
draw yet another tableau set in outer space. But I’ve always liked the Penetrator cover thanks to its
immediacy, a first-person cockpit view that firmly puts the player into the game. Laser fire arches out
at the enemies massed in front of the player as a gloved hand frantically tries to dodge the enemy
weapons. And in perhaps the coolest way of inserting in-game screens, four screenshots from
Penetrator itself sit in the middle display, connecting game and cover image. I had trouble finding out
the artist on this one but I suspect it could be Steiner Lund — according to CRASH’s interview with
the artist, he did a lot of early work for Melbourne House, and the style looks familiar.

Black Crystal
Carnell Software
Black Crystal is an ambitious role-
playing game from Carnell Software
that reached a wider audience when
re-released at a budget price by
Mastertronic. The Mastertronic
cover isn’t particularly noteworthy;
but the Carnell Software original,
published with a novel, has a
marvellously spooky picture,
created by an unknown artist known only as
‘Emmanuel’. This cover is a delight. A shadowy figure — is it the
player character? — reaches out for the eponymous gemstone, the
bright colours of the Spectrum emanating upwards from its centre.
There’s plenty of mystery here, which suits the theme of the game
well, yet the aspect that always fascinates me is the character’s eyes,
one narrower than the other, and sizing up the precious item in front of them, like Indiana Jones
and the idol in Raiders Of The Lost Ark. The contrast between foreground (the crystal and hand)
and background (the shadowy character) is particularly stark in this image, and it looks even better
on the large box that Black Crystal came in. It’s a shame this proposed six-part series was never
completed; Carnell went under shortly after the publication of the third episode, The Wrath Of Magra.
14 CRASH Micro Sampler
The Chess Player
Quicksilva
This is the first of many covers
from David Rowe, who would go
on to become famous with his
fantastic work on the television series,
Knightmare. Yet, even this talented
artist must have baulked at this
assignment, a Spectrum cassette inlay
based around the classic game of chess.
I think he did a superb job with such limited and action-free
material. Sitting opposite the player is a sleek female robot,
presumably representing the computing prowess of the ZX
Spectrum. The chess board is light brown and red, and
appears to be hovering in outer space, as clouds (or are
they mountains?) obscure the lower half of the robot. The
few remaining pieces in play have extra flashes of ornate
elegance, including baroque-style metallic eggs, while the
pawns contain shiny orbs, reminding me of David’s later
work on Knightmare. The game itself attempts to add an
inspiring background story (apparently you’re defending
the Earth against an evil being), and includes a very early
example of synthesized speech on the Spectrum. It’s a
competent chess simulation, too, with its easier lower
levels giving way to a stiffer challenge by stage four.

Nightmare Park
Breadhill Software
With the game itself created
by J.D.S. Cranston, the
talent behind Nightmare
Park’s cover art is sadly lost
to time, although maybe
one day I will try and find
out who was behind this
fantastic image. It’s a BASIC effort from
Breadhill Software, a software house that didn’t survive
much beyond 1982, and was one of many mail-order style
companies that sold Spectrum games in its early days.
The game is a simple maze adventure, yet, having studied
the macabre cover, the plain graphics and non-descript
gameplay suddenly transforms it into a fevered dash across
the screen. The cover image cleverly taps into the common
park area that feature in most towns: a large tree dominates
the left of the picture, while to the right sits a tree further in
the background. A traditional wrought-iron fence stabs across
the screen, but it’s the huge bat that stays with the player the
most, helped by its evil-looking eyes and human-like claws.
It’s a shame such an image never got to be seen inside a
software shop. Imagine buying Nightmare Park, then having to
negotiate your local park to get home? That might even give a
brave soul like Lloyd the willies.

CRASH Micro Sampler 15

Spectrum Golf
Quicksilva
Another release
highlighted in issue one’s
Living Guide, Spectrum
Golf, or just Golf, is a 16K
simulation of the sport,
published by R&R Software. Compared to
the likes of US Gold’s Leaderboard, released several
years later, the graphics are laughably simple, yet it’s
gameplay that counts, and Spectrum Golf still plays a
decent round. As to its cassette inlay art, it’s a curious
image that focuses on an impressively lithe robot, a ZX
Spectrum for its head and the traditional Speccy rainbow
colours flashing across its chest. Beyond this mid-swing
figure is a barren golf course, a few fir trees to the right the
only obstacle of note. Most strangely, the mechanical golfer
appears to be about to hit the ball in the opposite direction
to the hole behind it – in fact, it’s standing so close to the
ball itself, it’s difficult to work out what this Spectrum-for-a-
brain is trying to do. Nevertheless, like The Chess Player, it’s
an interesting attempt at trying to create something different
— and Spectrum-themed — when confronted with a sport-
related game.

Tyrant Of Athens
M.C. Lothlorien
Lothlorien was renowned
for its strategic war
games, and this early
effort focuses on strife
in ancient Greece. The
front cover may look a
little predictable, but the
action appeals to me in the sense of
drama it presents. A Spartan warrior, clad in distinctive
gold armour and with a fine red plumage, strides across
the image, as a warship slips into the depths behind him.
The picture is completed with a Spartan war vessel, bright
red and blue with a huge sail, approaching the shore,
having disposed of all that stand in its way, and given
the accuracy that Lothlorien proudly imbued into all of its
products, it’s hard to imagine that any part of Tyrant Of
Athens’ cover is off the mark. The lithe soldier, wielding a
deadly-looking curved sword, is particularly remarkable,
despite being in glaring disparity to the mainly text style
gameplay of the game itself. Set in 5 BC, the task is to
control Athens and its armies, repelling invaders before
turning the city into an invading force of its own, and I can
imagine the artist, whoever they are, enjoying the scope that
the game presents.

16 CRASH Micro Sampler

CRASH Micro Issue 1 17
Well you’ve heard of Diddy Dick & Dom, well welcome to Diddy
Crash Playing Tips! It’s great to be involved in the continuation
of this prestigious periodical, and relive the excitement of
trying out new Spectrum games. Are you a retro purist, playing
on an original 48K with 14” TV and tape player? Or an emulator
user? I’ve got to admit, in the early days of emulation Spectrum
games became cheapened. There is no respect when you can
load 48K in a nanosecond. I have now discovered the Retro
Virtual Machine — it recreates any Spectrum and you can load
games from cassette, watching the loading screens appear –
sights and sounds of my youth. I highly recommend it!

THE WITCH
down and grab it. the platform levels is
You need to land in a few screens along
a safe place, then to the right.
Only just released and platform game. walk back along the Take your sweet
this year, The In the early screens ground to pick up time in the pixel-
Witch by Manu128k try not to be too the key. perfect platform
is a ‘magical’ game trigger happy with Of course, it’s not levels. One wrong
inspired by Palace your magic spells. as obvious as just step and it’ll be like
Software’s 1985 You only get a set unlocking the first Dorothy clicked her
hit, Cauldron. amount and the door you find either heels together three
magic meter soon — the entrance to times — bang!
You can see the starts to deplete.
Cauldron influence Instead use your
straight away with flying skills to zoom
a fun little witch (on your broom)
whizzing around on around the bats,
her broomstick – but pumpkins and other
‘Do you have any scary adversaries.
tips on improving It won’t be long
my score,’ I hear you before you come
cry! Well yes I do… across a key to pick
The Witch is a up down below.
great combination of Beware though —
flying shoot-’em-up you can’t just swoop

18 CRASH Micro Sampler

 NEXT SHIFT TIPS
Great to see that classic 8-bit
gameplay never dies in this smart
Spectrum Next game. Here are a few
tips to get you going…

● It’s a test of your hand-eye

coordination as you must move the two
Henrique chaps up and down at the same
time. I remember similar games on the

SOPHIA II old VIC-20 — great fun! Just keep one

eye on the top-left conveyor at all times

MAP & TIPS

— this is where the Nexts first appear
for you to man-handle them through the
machine.
Big shout out the patterns of the ● Just take your time to get used to the
to Alessandro monsters around rhythm of the game while things are slow.
Grussu for putting you. They are very The machine soon speeds up!
together this great predictable. Have you got any
map of his game The game has playing tips, cheats
Sophia II. You can a good speed, or POKEs to share?
find lots of great so you can easily Email: chris@
screenshot maps manoeuvre Sophia fusionretrobooks.com
at maps.speccy.cz around the baddies.
Save your health
I just love the invulnerability for the
flashbacks to classic trickier ones.
Ultimate games like
Atic Atac and Sabre
Wulf you get when
playing Sophia II.
Just like those
classics, success is
a case of learning

CRASH Micro Sampler 19


So as my waist gets bigger, Crash has
gone smaller, in size anyways. I have
been asked to partake in this new micro
adventure — another new boss, old and
new readers, and letters to answer, lots of
them. So onwards once again...
Dear Lloyd,
I am from South Africa, and I must tell
you, I am very happy that I can get my
hands on a new CRASH magazine.
Something to read and enjoy, I believe this
will be a smart move to have Crash come
out once again.
Thank you,
Hendrik Bezuidenhout

A ROUND has puzzled ZX

Spectrum and home
Crash is as International as it ever was
— great to hear from our friends down
OF GOLF computer fans for
decades. It is time
South.
LM
JEEVES you came clean!
Regards,
Janne Sirén, AN OLD (number #35) as a
mere 13 year old —
Dear Mr. Mangram,
In honour of the new
Finland FRIEND and I never looked
back!
CRASH magazine I Apart from our taste I even stayed
would like you to in sporting hats and Dear LM, loyal through the
a hairy lip with Mr So great to see you thinner page years
Mangram the golfer, back at your old and
typewriter again, it
must be 28 years
since the last time!
It’s wonderful to
see that the most
beloved of Speccy
mags is making
a comeback and
settle once and my only venture into I’m confident that
for all, whether the sport is playing everyone behind it
or not you have Leaderboard on my will make it the rip
any relation rubber keyed friend. roaring success it
(and/or passing I must confess deserves to be.
resemblance) to most of my time CRASH and
the late, great was spent building indeed the Spectrum
golfer Lloyd sand castles in the completely changed
Mangrum? I am bunkers. my life when I survived (just)
sure this question LM bought my first issue when the mag

20 CRASH Micro Sampler

 TYPE-IN
LISTINGS
IN
CRASH?
Dear Lloyd,
It is amazing that we
are getting CRASH with a competitor
back, ( ZZap! 64 magazine who filled
also). Many years up their pages with
ago I had a C64 but BASIC game listings
always wanted a and coding hints
disappeared leave us again!!! Spectrum as well. and tips. I hear the
temporarily in late Much Love, There are great new editor was a
1991 but was thrilled Anders Upton games for both
when it came back, machines. Thanks
then inconsolable The cobwebs on to eBay I now have
when it finally the old typewriter both set up ready to
disappeared for were dusted off go. I’ll be getting my
good!! way back in 2018 Spectrum Next next
But like Jimi for the return of year. My question is
Hendrix it blazed a CRASH in the form are you going to do
trail never bettered of the first Annual. type-ins and a hints programmer — I
during its time on Roger begged me and tips section for bet it was Fortran
Earth. That we have on hands and knees, programming using or COBOL or some
it again in 2020 is a I tell you, to come the Next or original. other old 1950s
fantastic thrill. back and add some Thank you all for language!
The Spectrum class to this rag. bringing back my LM
scene is thriving well It seems like I childhood and be
into the 21st century
(who’d have thunk
may be back for a
while as there is a
safe.
Regards, TOO OLD
it!!) and its great to
have CRASH back
lot to do, especially
with a new editor
Paul ledson
FOR
to celebrate such a
wonderful scene.
who is a little wet
behind the ears and
Paul, dear Paul,
I think you are
RETRO
Welcome back needs a little help. mistaking CRASH Dear Lloyd,
CRASH — never LM My wife says I am
too old to read
CRASH — I’m only
LM NEXT will be super suc-
cessful but maybe
be for now, maybe
‘Next’ year’.
73.
Regards,
Dear Lloyd, keep your stretch LM Worried Fan
It seems that goals to yourself.
everything old Regards, I tend to hide my
is coming back. AlanH copies of Crash in
We have the new the garden shed with
CRASH of course, I keep watching the lawnmower and
and we’ve seen the out for our jubbly the spiders — the
super successful postman, I am sure latter tend to keep
Spectrum Next, so I he owes me a letter the squeamish away.
was wondering, will from our beloved Alternatively, get
we see a new Lloyd Queen as we did with the times and
on Kickstarter soon? turn 100 with the last go digital!
I’m sure Lloyd Next Annual. Alas, not to LM

CRASH Micro Sampler 21

a dventure
COLIN BELL’S

trail
G ood tidings and joy to you all my fellow
travellers, Welcome! to the Adventure
Trail’s latest incarnation in this new and
exciting quarterly edition of CRASH
magazine. Colin Bell once more at your
service, CRASH Dungeon Master and guide
to the world of high ‘8-bit’ adventure.
With the Yuletide season firmly upon us I
invite you all to come gather by my warm
fire here underneath the hallowed halls of
Castle CRASH as we roast some chestnuts
and raise a glass to yet another great year of
adventuring — no social distancing required
here dear reader…
While it remains a crazy world out there
and a tough time for many, I’m pleased to
see that many of you have found solace
in the world of Spectrum adventure
which continues to grow and thrive at an
impressive rate. With the ZX Spectrum
NEXT now sitting pride of place in many of
your questing altars we’ve seen more new
enhanced adventures being released along
with a number of the classic 48K-128K
variety. Indeed, it is an exciting time for
adventure gaming on the Spectrum and I,
like many of you, look forward to seeing
what lies ahead in the new year.
create a new text adventure in Adventuron
with vibrant location graphics.
There was also the option to develop the
game for the ZX Spectrum NEXT and / or
ZX Spectrum +3 which each of the entries
all did. Most notable were One Last Thing
by Dee Cooke, Last Night in the Office by
Quizlock and Rite of the Druid by Paul Weller
of Sunteam. We take a look at Rite of the
Druid in this issue’s review section. You can
play or download the games and check out
the ‘Jam’ results here: https://itch.io/jam/
next-adventure-jam
And now with our proceedings concluded
let us put on our best fur armour, jump on
our battle sleighs and turn to face the trail
once more as we take a bold step forward
onto this issue’s news and reviews.

Pump up the Adventure Jam!

Summer this year saw Adventuron hosting

“The Next Adventure Jam” where avid
adventure fans and authors were quested
with the task of using their browsers to

22 CRASH Micro Sampler

 Heroine
adventure trail news
Emilia
Hibernated continues the story across a variety Vittorini set
of Olivia Lund who of 8-bit and 16-bit
Sci-Fi Sequel along with her formats as a digital to return in
coming! faithful spider droid
sidekick, Vlad, arrive
download and as a
physical Collector’s third outing!
on a strange plant Edition which of
Author Stefan Vogt in the Andromeda course means
has confirmed that sector where feelies! and an audio I’m pleased to
development of his she must unravel book narrated by announce that
highly anticipated the mysteries none other than Davide Bucci has
Sci-Fi adventure surrounding a long Christian Simpson, begun work on the
aka Perifractic, that third game in his
will recap the story adventure series that
from the first game. looks set to continue
And if that the exploits of
wasn’t enough for super sleuth Emilia
you all I can also Vittorini. Titled Silk
confirm that Stefan Dust the game sees
has announced Emilia going back to
Hibernated 1 - The her racing roots as
Directors Cut which she represents her
will see the original father’s car company
game expanded ITA who are in the
and running on the process of delivering
engine he developed a new car to one
for Hibernated 2. of their prestigious
As well as ad- clients.
dressing some plot The client in
holes the game will question is Princess
feature additional Briccorosso who
narrative content intends to race in the
and play more Silk Road Rally from
like the Infocom Cairo to Peking.
adventures from the Your role is to ensure
1980s. the smooth delivery
Stefan is very of the car and make
excited about the sure everything is
Director’s Cut as he functioning as it
feels that the revised should.
game showcases I’m sure it
what he initially won’t be long until
had envisaged for Emilia sets off on
sequel Hibernated 2 forgotten alien Hibernated 1 but a new and exciting
is now very close to civilisation. was restricted due adventure with
completion. The game is to the limitations of danger around every
The game set to be released the first engine. corner.

CRASH Micro Sampler 23

The Seance
Producer: Quantum Sheep
Free download, ZX Spectrum 48K

T he Seance by
Quantum Sheep
is a short eerie text
mysteriously move
around the house
and with the pain
adventure set in just too much to
the Victorian era bear, you have
and created for decided that it’s time
the ZX Spectrum for a fresh start —
using the Lantern but not before you number of objects the game and then
Text-adventure attempt to contact located around the- decide to play
IDE compiler. You Emily to ask for her house, some hidden, again you’ll find that
play Henry Smith, forgiveness for not each of which are objects are where
a war veteran and being there in her required to solve you left them from
widower who has time of need. To do a small number of the previous game
lost his beloved so you’ll need to logical puzzles. As and furniture that
wife Emily due to conduct a séance you move around you have opened
illness. Almost one and for this you’ll the house things will remains open.
year on you can’t need to enlist the start to happen like Another is that
help but feel there help of renowned blood pouring from the font used is
is a presence in the medium Madame the walls and items rather large and the
house that you used Sousa, who arrives of furniture moving spacing between
to share with Emily at the front door of by themselves. lines of text isn’t
and you dare not the house at the Throughout the great, making the
look in the mirror beginning of the game Madame screen hard to read
anymore as you game. Sousa will follow you at times.
are certain you are Your goal is to around the house
seeing things that gain access to the and you can ask COMMENTS
about various things
which may lead to Difficulty:
tips and advice. Fairly Easy
The Séance Graphics: Text only.
offers a total of four Presentation:
different endings Atmospheric and
which is a nice spooky
addition and offers General Rating:
a little something in Recommended,
terms of replay value detailed storytelling
if only very minor. that captures the
One criticism is that imagination.
if you complete

Atmosphere 85%
aren’t really there. attic where Madame Graphics: 65%
As well as this Sousa will con- Playability: 60%
you have noticed duct the séance. Getting started: 85%
that objects To achieve this Overall: 69%
have begun to you’ll need to find a

24 CRASH Micro Sampler

Rite of the Druid of only one object
that I could find no
Producer: Paul Weller — Sunteam use for, all the others
Free download, ZX Spectrum NEXT had a purpose in
helping you solve

E arning first
place in both
the Graphics and
and there find a
sacred rune that will
ultimately guide your
detail. Just about
every location type
you can imagine is
the game’s many
puzzles which I
found to be well
Storyline categories path and return you represented here thought out and
in this year’s “NEXT back to the tribe a from grasslands to fairly logical. A
Adventure Jam”, fully fledged Druid. marshy bogs, sandy welcome addition
Rite of the Druid To enter this deserts to dark to the game is the
is a new graphical realm, you have caves and snowy several endings that
adventure for the ZX to drink a strange mountains to active it features and while
Spectrum NEXT and glassful of foul- volcanoes. each one is only
the creation of Paul smelling purple ooze There are no slightly different,
Weller of Sunteam. which knocks you characters as such I found it fun
With Rite of the nonetheless to go
Druid, Paul has back and see what
returned to the roots each one was like.
of the more classical Overall Rite of the
style adventure Druid is an enjoyable
game featuring a adventure that’s full
text parser with of atmosphere and
standard verb noun ideal if you only have
input along with a short amount of
some rather nicely time to play.
drawn and colourful Great for
backgrounds beginners to the
that superbly genre.
match each of the
game’s locations
and showcase unconscious. You to interact with COMMENTS
the NEXT’s soon you awaken to although there are
enhanced graphical find that you are all various animals Difficulty:
capabilities. alone in a strange wandering around, Fairly easy, short game.
You play hilly grassland in the but I’ll leave it to you Graphics:
an unnamed middle of a set of to work out what Spectrum Next
character who stone circles. And purpose they serve. enhanced graphics.
as part of a small thus, our short yet Object wise there Presentation:
tribe is currently enjoyable adventure are plenty in the Polished.
in the process of begins… game, most of which General Rating:
undergoing a ritual As mentioned, must be discovered. Ideal for newcomers.
to finally earn the the game itself is With the exception
full title of Druid. very short with less
To achieve this than twenty-five Atmosphere 90%
however, Chief Druid screens but it feels Graphics: 70%
Drem, tells you that bigger and Paul has Playability: 75%
you must first enter done a fantastic job Getting started: 100%
another realm that of describing each Overall: 84%
is beyond your own location in fine vivid

CRASH Micro Sampler 25

W
ell, here we are in much smaller
living quarters but I’m sure we’ll
all get along and things will go
swimmingly after an initial teething period.
Anyway, once again I have been asked
to rummage through the online galleries
and potentially discover artwork that is new
to the readers out in the real world.
I decided, as is my wont, that this
month, the first in our new format, I shall
be completely controversial and focus my
attentions on four examples all by the same
incredibly talented chap; Mr Marco Antonio
Del Campo Gomez, or MAC as he is known
on the Spectrum scene.
I must stress that this is not me saying
I could not find suitable examples by other
gifted exponents of Spectrum art, but every
time I am called upon to do these reviews I
am always torn with my selections because
of the volume of work he has produced.

1: Batman 2018
Here we have as fine a Dark
Knight Detective as one could
hope to see in pixelated form.
This is one of two he has created,
and it was a tough decision, but
this particular image ticks lots of
design boxes for me.
Clean lines, bold use of colour
regardless of the liberties taken
with Batman’s body armour and
great composition. The images from
the original game art have been
manipulated to perfection and form
a visual shape that contains action,
potential motion and the grim visage
of Gotham’s defender executed
magnificently.

2: Thanatos 2020
I don’t think I’m being unfair when I
say that in my opinion, this particular
image is much better than the original
box art.
It leaps from the screen; the rich
saturated colours truly make it pop.
The sky has a terrible heat about it, as
our heroine commands her great lizard
to fly over a burning wasteland.
The delicate lines in her hair and
gown are just enough and express a
fluidity and grace. The dragon looks
heavier, more muscular than the
painted version. It is a strong image,
virtually identical to the original in
composition but with a lot more power
and impact.
26 CRASH Annual 2019
 All this artwork and much more can be
viewed at www.zxart.ee

3: Phantis 2016
The sheer level of detail that fills this
composition is phenomenal and is
virtually identical to the original box
art, again by Alfonso Azpiri.
Digging up more information
regarding this particular title, I was
fascinated to discover that this
is Game Over Two, the sequel to
the Ocean/Imagine release whose
adverts were infamously censored
albeit somewhat belatedly in gaming
magazines at the time.
This image, for me is infinitely
superior to that of the first release
for many reasons. Yes, there is
a statuesque and gravity defying
warrior-woman, but the space-goblins
or intergalactic troglodytes who are
pressing far too close for comfort
and propriety are both menacing and
comedic.

4: R
 ocky 2020
I was oblivious to the fact that
this was actually a game and
initially assumed it to be a mere
mock-up, but with some careful
research, I discovered this to
be a masterful translation of
the superb artwork of Madrid’s
Alfonso Azpiri.
The sheer force of this image
is amazing, along with a feeling I
get that it harks back to the pulp
art of the 40s and 50s when men
were men and happily beat each
other to mincemeat on the cover
of many a lurid magazine.
MAC’s version surpasses the
original. The dark shadows add
an element to the image that was
somehow missing from the box
art, wonderful though it was. The
simple use of white for the ropes
and the tiny tip of the hat to the
original artist with his name on the
ropes to the right are the work of
someone at one with the machine.
CRASH Annual 2019 27
ROGER,
MY HERO
I used to read
CRASH every
month, like many
of us ZX Spectrum
fans. It guided me
on what games to
spend my pocket
money on, and
made me feel
special and a part
of something. It also
introduced me to
art I had never seen
before (I had to hide
some issues under
the bed so my mum
would not see them).
As the years becoming the norm, always the now embarking on
ticked by, and I hunted down professional! bringing CRASH
responsibilities of — I mean looked Over the years back as a regular
life took over, I never up, some of my since, we have magazine.
forgot CRASH and childhood icons, one worked together Thanks for your
the years of teenage being a gentleman to create some trust guys — this
happiness the called Roger Kean. wonderful books means so much to
Spectrum brought I just wanted to say including the me and the team
me. ‘thank you’ to him. CRASH Annual and and I love you both
With the We talked for have now met on dearly. I hope we
resurgence of years in the virtual many occasions. do not disappoint.
retro over the last world and finally With Rog and
however many met at Play Expo Oli’s blessing (and
years, my interest in 2011 — Roger Future Ltd), we
in old gaming was perfectly have a new team
resurfaced and comfortable in my (comprising of some
with social media fan-boy presence, of the old) that are

A SAMPLE 1 sampler, given to For the full ‘Long live

those Kickstarter issue, expect more CRASH!’, as a great
What you are backers who reviews, features, person once said.
holding right now helped bring the interviews and the
is the CRASH issue 2021 Annual to life. missing sections.

28 CRASH Annual 2019

 FOR PEOPLE WHO RETRO GAMES
w w w.retroga mer. n et

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CRASH Micro Sampler 29

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 Publishing retro-gaming books and magazines since 2006

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30 CRASH Micro Sampler