The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

THUNDERSTRUCK

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Arcade Adventure Platform Style

Author             : Peter Scott

Standalone Release(s)   : 1986: THUNDERSTRUCK, Audiogenic, £7.95

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

                    1988: FIVE STAR GAMES 3, Beau Jolly, £9.95

Stated compatibility    : Electron Side A, BBC Side B

Actual compatibility    : As stated

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

Disc compatibility     : Unknown

Instructions

You are SPRECO (the SPace REfuse COllector) who has been transported by a space/time thunderstorm to an eerie castle. All you want to do is get back to Myrtle and the kids, but here you are trapped in these strange mediaeval surroundings with your Assisdroids. They dislike it as much as you do and, because they think it's your fault, are decidedly hostile. There are various objects littered around the castle that you can carry and use, but because of your bulky space suit you can only manage one at a time. The castle is inhabited by eight characters that you will meet in yout search for the way out. If you help them by giving them something they need, they will give you something in return.

Characters

      The King          The Queen         The Wizard         The Craftsman

      The Maiden        The Dog           The Guard          The Revolting Hag

Giving, Taking And Using Objects

You can give and take objects simply by being on the same screen as the character. Likewise, with most objects you can use them by being on the same screen as the puzzle, although there are certain puzzles that will require yu to be standing in a particular spot on the screen when you use the object.

Energy

You start the game with 650 energy units, shown as the dotted line at the right hand side of the screen. You lose 1 for going in or out of the screen, 4 for hitting an ailen, lift, candle, flame or any other animated background effect. You lose 64 units for hitting a homing alien, a valve shape or a flapping bird. You gain 32 units for using an object correctly, and energy is restored to 650 after using food.

Game Controls

Z - Left,   X - Right,   <RETURN> - Jump,   : - Use Object,   ? - Pick Up/Drop

G - Give object to character,   T - Take object from character

Cursor Up/Down (In Lift Only) - Lift Up/Down

<ESCAPE> - Quit Game

Instructions' Source   : FIVE STAR GAMES III (Beau Jolly) Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "Struck, By Thunder!"

While doing your rounds as a cosmic dustbin man you are struck by a space/time thunder storm. As a result of this you find yourself trapped in an eerie medieval castle. All you want to do is get back to Myrtle and the kids before your dinner gets cold.

The castle has eight floors which can be accessed in any order once you have located the castle's lift room. Using the cursor keys, you can select a floor then set the mechanism in motion and ascend or descend to a new level. You will discover many objects, most of which have a specific function. If you are to escape from the castle you must use each object correctly, but due to the restraints of your bulky spacesuit you can only carry one object at a time.

One of the easier puzzles can be found in the basement. When trying to access this level you find that the screen goes blank. Wishing to throw a little light on the problem you collect the candle which you saw on a higher level, but you are informed that it is not lit. I spent a long time burning my fingers on the flaming torches trying to light the candle until I explored the other levels and found a suitable match. Returning to the basement I was greeted by a whole new floor.

One of the bigger puzzles involves lowering the drawbridge. On your travels you will see several large letters, and when you pick them up you are told that they operate the drawbridge. The letters D, O and N are easily located, but I have yet to find a W to complete the sequence.

You have only one life, which you lose when your energy reserve is reduced to zero. This energy is lost through contact with flames and the castle's inhabitants, the most deadly being your own droids. They blame you for their incarceration and are fatal to the touch.

The game's graphics are big and brightly coloured. The puzzles vary in their levels of difficulty and provide you with early success and an incentive to continue playing the game, THUNDERSTRUCK is one of the best arcade adventures that I have played on the Electron.

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

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

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

Value for money ................. 8

Overall ......................... 8

Carol Burrow, ELECTRON USER 4. 3