The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

LAST OF THE FREE

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Alias          : QUEST FOR FREEDOM

Game Type          : Arcade; Platform-Style

Author             : Peter Scott

Standalone Release(s)   : 1985: LAST OF THE FREE, Audiogenic, £7.95

                    1990: LAST OF THE FREE, Atlantis, £2.99

Compilation Release(s) : 1987: ELECTRON POWER PACK 2, Audiogenic, £9.95

Stated compatibility    : BBC/Electron Dual Version

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

Supplier            : AUDIOGENIC, Winchester House, Canning Road, HARROW HA3 7SJ

Disc compatibility     : Unknown

Instructions

Arcade adventure, starring Clement, the Ordanoid droid! Clement is droid no. 490 of the ordanoid class BA2 - a type of droid commonly used by humans to take care of the running fo distant planets. When the Ordanoid design was superceded by the more efficient Proleoid design, batches of Proleoids were sent off to help the Ordanoids run the planets. But due to an unforeseen design fault, the Proleoids started to improse their will on the Ordanoids until all the Ordamoids were destroyed - all, that is, except Clement - the Last of the Free!

Clement's mission, whispered to him in the dying words of the Elder-oid, is to escape from the Proleoids and make it to the teleport so that he can get to Earth and warn his human controllers about the defective Proleoids. The road to freedom is full of dangerous Proleoids, and littered with obstacles to avoid and puzzles that must be solved. Apart from his ability to run and jump, Clement has only one advantage - he can carry and use objects that he finds in order to help him, but he can only carry one at a time.

Using Objects

The puzzles range from simple to complex. To open a door, just enter the screen with the right key and press * to use it. You don't need to be right next to the door. However, some puzzles involve standing on or near to obstacles, or dropping objects near obstacles.

Scoring

The scoring system includes 10 point bonuses for every new screen explored, 150 points for basic puzzle solving with up to 1,000 points for more complex puzzles, and 2,000 for escaping at the end. You get five lives to start with.

Game Controls

Z - Left,   X - Right,   <RETURN> - Jump,   ? - Pick Up or Drop

* - Use Object,   Q/S - Sound Off/On,   T - Turn Just Tune Off

<ESCAPE> - Quit Game,   <COPY>/<DELETE> - Pause/Restart

Instructions' Source   : ELECTRON POWER PACK 2 (Audiogenic) Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "Ordeal Of The Ordanoids"

For many years the Ordanoid droids toiled to maintain the machinery left on distant planets by colonists from Earth. Then scientists developed a superior design of robot called the Proleoid, but instead of supervising the work of the Ordanoids they started to destroy them. Clement is the sole remaining Ordanoid and he must make a last ditch attempt to find the planet's teleport system and warn Earth of the Proleoid problem. THE LAST OF THE FREE is a ladders and levels game in which you control Clement on his courageous mission.

Control is simple - left, right and jump will get you around quite nicely. The backgrounds used are graphically simple but not complex in construction. As well as the electrified floors and sliding barriers you must also negotiate the numerous Proleoid droids which infect the rooms. These are drawn in more detail than the backgrounds and are well animated.

Some of the droids which move in mid air have flat heads, and these can be used as lifts if you time your jump correctly and then walk at same speed as the droid.

The status display at the bottom of the screen gives information regarding energy level, lives remaining, what you are carrying and scores. I was pleased to find that the design of this display was far superior to that of the version for the BBC Micro.

As you play the game you will notice that you are initially confined to two or three screens as your progress to the higher levels is blocked by various doors. A picture of the necessary key is drawn on each door, a great help as you can only carry one item at a time.

You begin the game with five lives. There are no time bonuses or penalties so you can take as long as you wish to pick a route through a screen. You can fall from any height without incurring any damage, which is very useful as it is easy to lose your footing when attempting a difficult leap between platforms.

THE LAST OF THE FREE is graphically simple but the routes through the screens are cunning. It will never be a blockbuster but it should still keep the kids amused for days.

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

Graphics ........................ 7

Playability ..................... 8

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

Overall ......................... 7

Carol Barrow, ELECTRON USER 4. 2