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CRAZY ER*BERT

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Alias : ER*BERT

Game Type : Arcade; Cubic Domain

Author :

Standalone Release(s) : 1987: CRAZY ER*BERT, Alternative, £1.99

Compilation Release(s) : None

Stated compatibility : Electron/BBC Dual Version

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

Supplier : ALTERNATIVE, Units 3-6 Baileygate Industrial Estate,

Pontefract, WEST YORKSHIRE WF8 2LN. Tel: 07977 79777

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

Instructions

Move ER*BERT on his crazy travels through his cubic domain.

Starring : Crazy Er*Bert

Supporting cast: Boris the Gorilla, Coily the Snake

Featuring : Cascading balls, deadly discs, balmy bananas, rotating rota-hats

Great fun in this arcade-style classic!

Instructions' Source : CRAZY ER*BERT (Alternative) Back and Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "Cheap And Cheerful"

CRAZY ERBERT is a cuddly looking little character who plays the hero in this 3D Pacman type game. Living in a world made up of interconnected cubes, his simple aim if to visit each one and paint its top surface a different colour. He treats his cubes as stairways and travels diagonally up or down. Four keys are needed to steer him and these take a bit of getting used to.

At the start of the game, you can select from ten levels of difficulty and whether the movement should be fast or slow. I find the slow option is quite fast enough for me.

It's an odd gripe, but what a pity there is no sound on/off option. The sound effects are nice, but many games players have a need for silence at times.

Erbert does not live alone and the other occupants of his world are all enemies. He is persistently chased by two well-drawn large and colourful characters, Coily the Snake and Boris the Gorilla. If they catch him one of his three lives is lost.

If Boris or Coily try to follow, they vanish for a few vital seconds. This not only gives a chance for safe movement, but also some bonus points.

Erbert can also collect a Rota Hat which allows him a limited flight. Two extra keys are required to manage the flying skills. Elevators and rota hats can only be used once.

To add to the problems, some unseen giant is rolling boulders down the cubes. If higher skill levels are chosen, some of the cubes convert themselves into vaporisers. These have a detrimental effect on Erbert's life expectancy, but they don't last too long themselves.

Also at the higher levels, Erbert can't paint the cubes in one go. He applies an undercoat on the first visit and requires a second to apply the top coat. If you wish to score high points you can pick up Boris' banana. This causes him to lose his temper and chase you.

If you manage to re-colour all the cubes you move to a new and more complex screen. There are four in all, which means that with ten levels and two speeds, there are eighty possible combinations to choose from.

A few years ago this game would have rated as amazing value at only £1.99. Now, it is merely ordinary, though it will amuse the kids with its bright and cheery graphics.

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

Graphics ........................ 8

Playability ..................... 5

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

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

Rog Frost, ELECTRON USER 5. 1