The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

ANARCHY ZONE

Professional, Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Arcade Shoot-'Em-Up

Author             :

Standalone Release(s)   : 1990: ANARCHY ZONE, Atlantis, £1.99

Compilation Release(s)   : None

Stated compatibility    : BBC/Electron Dual Version

Actual compatibility    : Electron, BBC B, B+ and Master 128

Supplier            : ATLANTIS, 28 Station Road, LONDON SE25 5AG

Disc compatibility     : Unknown

Instructions

"32 ZONES OF INCREASING DIFFICULTY! The Galactic Government Dictatorship has divided the galaxy into zones, and has imposed strict travel formations for each zone. You have decided to fight for your freedom and for the liberation of other space travellers. Good luck, and remember the motto of the Astronaut's Anarchist Association 'LIVE FAST...........DIE YOUNG!!!!'"

The Galactic Government Dictatorship has divided the galaxy into zones, and has imposed strict travel formations for each zone. Any travellers not conforming to the galactic government guidelines will come under attack.

Legend has it that beyond this galaxy lies an area of space where travellers are free to choose their own routes of travel, and freedom reigns. History refers to this area as "free space".

You have decided to fight for your freedom and for the liberation of other space travellers.

Hyperspacing to any zone is possible provided that you know the zone code (given before entering a zone). After launching, enter a four letter zone code. Entering an unrecognised zone code will transport you to the first zone (e.g. AAAA).

All Galactic Government sympathisers must be wiped out to progress to the next zone. A number of hits are required to wipe out most life-forms (some require more than others). Some life-forms are unaffected by your on-board blaster system, and you will have to find other means of killing them.

A skill bonus may be awarded on completion of a zone. This bonus is reduced with every wasted rocket you fire. The bonus is reduced by larger amounts for killing "Peace Protest Pods" which demonstrate in various zones.

The Astronaut's Anarchist Association have agreed to help you in your quest for "Free-Space", and have provided "Charity Zones" in which you have a chance to gain extra power. Colliding with "Anarchy Power-Paks" will boost your power. Any Power-Paks out of reach must be destroyed before you may leave the zone (Keep Space Tidy!!!).

Your power is depleted if you come into contact with any life-form (other than "Peace Protest Pods") or if you are hit by any G.G.D. missiles. Your existence is terminated if you run out of power...be warned!!

Good luck, and remember the motto of the Astronaut's Anarchist Association - "LIVE FAST .............. DIE YOUNG!!!"

Game Controls

Z - Clockwise,   X - Anticlockwise,   <SHIFT> - Blast

P - Pause on/off,   S/Q - Sound/Quiet,   <ESCAPE> - Quit current game

Instructions' Source   : ANARCHY ZONE (Atlantis) Back and Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "Blasting Bargain"

After four years you might imagine that every possible variation of the space shoot-'em-up scenario had been used. However, here comes yet another action packed, if-it-moves-blast-it type game with a slightly different slant on those old favourites, SPACE INVADERS and GALAXIANS.

It's called ANARCHY ZONE, and is released on the Atlantis budget label. This time the Galactic Government Dictatorship has divided up the galaxy into separate zones, and within these space travellers must restrict their flight paths to predefined routes.

Anyone straying from these narrow space lanes is liable to be fired on, and guess who has wandered into deep space? Yes, you have, and you are now under attack by wave after wave of all manner of alien vessels, all armed to the teeth with lasers, bombs and missiles.

The screen is split into two areas. The larger one is where the action takes place, while the smaller contains the score, power and remaining bonus.

You start off with your ship at the bottom of the display, and an alien battle fleet streams on to the screen, guns ablaze. You can move left and right and blast them with your own laser.

This may seem pretty ordinary so far, but where this game is different is that while the aliens swarm round the screen you can circle them, climbing up the sides of the screen and zooming across the top to attack them from the rear. Some aliens require several hits before they explode and some seemingly indestructible ones will have you scratching your head trying to work out how to destroy them - if you can take your hands off the keyboard, that is.

On wiping out a wave of aliens a new one appears with a different battle formation without giving you time to get your breath back, and it's into battle again.

At the start of each new zone a password is given, and this can be used to skip screens you've already mastered. This prevents the game from becoming tedious as you can continue from the screen you were finally destroyed in last time.

The graphics are excellent, with brightly coloured alien ships and an attractive control panel on the right. The sound effects are good too.

The action is fast and furious and I was quite surprised at the speed achieved on a standard Electron - no need for a Turbo board here, it's quite fast enough for me, thank you.

At only £1.99 this must rate as a superb bargain arcade game that mustn't be missed. If you like fast action arcade games you'll be quite at home with this and I can thoroughly recommend it.

Sound ........................... 8

Graphics ........................ 9

Playability ..................... 9

Value for money ................ 10

Overall ......................... 9

Roland Waddilove, ELECTRON USER 5.12