The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

3D DOTTY

Professional, Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Arcade Platform Game

Author             : J. L. Harris

Standalone Release(s)   : 1987: 3D DOTTY, Blue Ribbon, £1.99

Compilation Release(s)   : 1990: PLAY IT AGAIN SAM 10, Superior/Acornsoft, £9.95

Stated compatibility    : Electron Side A, BBC Side B

Actual compatibility    : As stated

Supplier            : BLUE RIBBON, CDS House, Beckett Road, DONCASTER DN2 4AD

                    Tel: 01322 21134

Disc compatibility     : ADFS 1D00, CDFS 1D00, DFS 1D00

Instructions

The aim is to clear the dots on the three levels of each screen whilst avoiding the dreaded fungus. Any contact with the fungus will reduce your energy, and you lose a life when your energy reaches zero. The fungus can be blocked, but only three blocks are permitted at any one time. On completing a screen a bonus is added to your score, proportional to the amount of energy you have remaining.

There are eight different screens. After the eighth, the screens are repeated, but your energy is reduced by two units when you make contact with the fungus. You gain an extra life when your score reaches 5,000 and 10,000 points.

There is a practice mode to allow you to try any of the eight screens.

Game Controls

Keyboard or joystick can be used on the BBC Micro version. Only keyboard control can be used on the Electron version.

Z - Left,   X - Right,   * - Up,   ? - Down,   <RETURN> - Fire

S/Q - Sound On/Off,   <ESCAPE> - Quit Game

Instructions' Source       : PLAY IT AGAIN SAM 10 (Superior/Acornsoft) Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "This'll Drive You Crazy"

3D DOTTY is a simple game in which your aim is to eat all of the dots on a screen. Success will take you through a series of eight rooms, similar in style, but of increasing complexity. Each screen consists of three large platforms drawn in 3D perspective. The higher platforms are supported on substantial pillars and this creates the first difficulty in eating all of the dots as some of them are behind pillars and can't be seen.

There are even some junctions behind pillars and these are quite a problem to negotiate. The levels are linked by ladders.

Your main problem is to avoid the fungus, which appears as a fast moving but rather shapeless snake. Contact with this nasty substance causes a very rapid loss of energy and a fairly swift loss of life.

Fortunately, you can drop anti-fungal barriers behind you, which will force it to chase you via a different route giving you a short breather. These barriers last for a few seconds and you can have up to three on a screen at a time.

The game's graphics are adequate, and I like the 3D effect, but the main character is rather small, and I am sure the fungus could have been made more interesting.

The sound is about par for this type of game. If you like persistent footstep beeps then it's fine. If not you can select the silent play option. Keyboard or joystick options can be chosen at the start of each game.

3D DOTTY is a quite a good budget-priced game with nice graphics, fast gameplay and it is fun to play. But for me, it lacks that compulsive edge that keeps me coming back for more. But at just £1.99 you can't really go wrong, and it has got to be worth a try.

Sound ........................... 6

Graphics ........................ 5

Playability ..................... 6

Value for money ................. 7

Overall ......................... 6

Rog Frost, ELECTRON USER 5. 8