The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

ROBOTO

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Alias          : ROBOTRON 2084

Game Type          : Arcade Platform Game

Author             : Eugene Smith

Standalone Release(s)   : 1984: ROBOTRON 2084, Standalone, £9.95

                    1986: ROBOTO, Bug Byte, £2.99

Compilation Release(s) : None

Stated compatibility    : BBC Side A, Electron Side B

Actual compatibility    : As stated

Supplier            : BUG-BYTE, Liberty House, 222 Regent Street, LONDON W1R 7DB

Disc compatibility     : CDFS E00, DFS E00

Instructions

Rampaging auto components are destroying the galaxy's last power source, ROBOTO is at your control. 51 screens and a great challenge!

The challenge starts here...

Earth, the year 2086. The once mighty sun is a tiny speck in space. Most of the surface of the Earth lies a barren waste. Life is confined to a tiny oasis, at the centre of which stands a crumbling building, the last operating power station. This is now threatened by a control malfunction causing the auto components to rampage throughout the complex. A major power failure is imminent. As the only cybertechnician of the group, it is your responsibility to regain control by de-activating each of the 51 zones in the complex. You must achieve this using the last squad of five working droids. You have modified the droids to deal with the situation, they are equipped with lasers and hover packs. You have created...ROBOTO.

Game Play

There are 51 zones or rooms. The components are de-activated by destroying the "power orbs" and leaving through a different exit to the one you entered by. Unless, that is, there is only one exit. It is best if you map the reactor as you go on as it contains one-way systems. Some power orbs give extra ammunition. Bonus points are scored by destroying meanies. You can let ROBOTO rest against a wall which can be very helpful if slithering past some of the nasty things you will find in the dark!

Game Controls

Z - Left,   X - Right,   * - Up,   ? - Down,   RETURN - Fire,   P - Pause

Dual Plus 1 Joystick Control Recommended

Instructions' Source   : ROBOTO (Bug Byte) Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User)

ROBOTO is set in the distant future where a feeble sun shines on a barren Earth. A crumbling power station has developed a serious malfunction which has caused the auto components to run rampage around the complex. Unless you can regain control by de-activating all the zones a major power failure will occur which will wipe out the last remaining life on the planet.

You control a robot, a stick-like object which can float gracefully around the 51 high resolution screens. You can dive, climb, or cling on to vertical walls as you blast the various nasties out of existence.

Each screen contains a power orb. When you destroy one, most of the meanies on that screen will stop firing at you, making it mush easier to progress to the next zone without losing a life. Additionally, some orbs give extra ammunition, which is particularly useful as it is all too easy to run out completely.

Many of the rooms are real devils to get through first time and require deft use of the control keys which, thankfully, you can redefine.

The program is well written, has no obvious bugs, and follows the now familiar style of having BBC Micro and Electron versions on opposite sides of the tape.

The graphics are smooth, albeit with a little flicker, and the sound is not too intrusive, but I wish you could turn it off from within the program.

This is an enjoyable game for the nimble fingered, requiring a good memory or a well drawn map. ROBOTO is well worth adding to your collection.

Sound ........................... 6
Graphics ........................ 8
Playability ..................... 8
Value for money ................. 9
Overall ......................... 8

Rog Frost, ELECTRON USER 3.12