The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

FUTURE SHOCK

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Arcade Adventure Platform Style

Author             : Kevin Blake and Jason Sobell

Standalone Release(s)  : 1986: FUTURE SHOCK, Tynesoft, £7.95

Compilation Release(s) : None

Stated compatibility    : Electron Side A, BBC Side B

Actual compatibility    : As stated

Supplier            : TYNESOFT, Unit 3 Addison Industrial Estate, Blaydon, TYNE &                   WEAR NE21 4TE. Tel: 091 414 4611

Disc compatibility     : Unknown

Instructions

Having rather a lot on his hands at the time, the Supreme Being decided to sub-contract the job of human evolution to GALCORPS of the Plant Maltron II.

Well, it was the sixth day and getting towards closing time at the Drog and Pallette Ale House, so the contractors decided to celebrate with a few pints of Thargsberg Special Brew.

The following morning they turned up for work in, let's say, an unwell state. Their work obviously suffers, and as a result the Scroll containing the plan for Evolution of human life on Earth is scattered to the four winds.

So, 42 billion years later (Could this be relevant?) whilst exploring the confines of an empty beer bottle, our hero GLOB found himself transported to the presence of the Supreme Being.

"GLOB," said the Mighty One. "I have chosen you to search human memory for the Scroll of Evolution."

"Why me?" said GLOB glumly!

Find the pieces and reassemble them the Scroll using a sliding block method.

Game Controls

Z - Move GLOB Left,   Z - Move GLOB Right

Puzzle Movement (All relevant to position of black square):

Z - Left,   X - Right,   * - Up,   ? - Down

Pull down menus: form of choice:

Press key 1 for (i)    put on puzzle

                (ii)   put puzzle off

                (iii)  mix puzzle.

Press key 2 for (i)    sound on/off

                (ii)   music on/off

                (iii)  quit game.

Press key 3 to show how many pieces you have collected.

Press key 4 to show the game author.

Move the choice 'bar' up and down with the * and ? keys then choose with RETURN.

To exit any pulldown menu, press the relevant number key again.

Instructions' Source   : FUTURE SHOCK (Tynesoft) Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "Boding Well For Future"

Even the Supreme Being gets weary at times when it comes to the job of creation. It was on one such occasion that he decided to sub-contract the job to a bunch of cowboys from the Galactic Corporation. Following a night on the town they awoke to discover that they had lost the scroll of evolution - the blueprint for the human race.

You play the role of Glob the blob, a large squat ball with big eyes and a mouth. He has been chosen to locate the sixteen pieces of the scroll and reassemble them.

FUTURE SHOCK uses a novel screen design. At the top are the eyes of the all-seeing Supreme Being and below is a large graphic window in which the action takes place. At the sides are a score board and a large candle. A slowly burning candle is used to depict Glob's life expectancy but the rate of burn increases dramatically if Glob comes into contact with alien beings.

Glob's life span can be increased by collecting the power pills to be found on several of the screens. It wasn't until I'd played the game for some time that I realised these pills were also the segments of scroll for which I was searching.

You can examine the pieces of scroll you collect by using a pull-down menu. Key number one displays a menu which lets you manipulate the puzzle pieces. Other menus give you access to the sound controls and the number of pieces you've found.

The games graphics are identical to those used in BUG EYES 2. All characters are huge, chunky and colourful, putting them fairly into what I would call the cute category. Controls are limited to left and right movement, but you can travel up or down by using the lifts found on most of the screens, or by falling off a ledge.

Also, an anti-gravity shaft runs through the centre of the maze and while floating up through the shaft you can drift to the left or right.

FUTURE SHOCK is an excellent program, a game which overflows with character and humour.

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

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

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

Value for money ................. 9

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

Jon Revis, ELECTRON USER 4. 3