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Themeadows goes a shootin'
Title: Rolf Harris Skeet Shoot
Format: C64
Author: Denis Mormahan
Publisher: Double Vision
Price: $8.95
Denis Mormahan's
latest creation strengthens his claim to the title of leading
C64 games programmer in the Central Western Slopes and Plains
(if not the entire Central West). The entire package oozes quality.
The crisp cellophane wrapping satisfyingly crinkles as it is removed,
revealing another of top gamebox-artist Eldrid
Flange's trademark illustrations. I don't think anyone,
even Rolf himself, has captured Rolf's image in such a life-like
yet surreal way. In the same way that Mormahan will be forever
remembered for some of the best C64 games ever written, history
will record that Flange was the premier box-designer of his generation.
No detail has been overlooked. Rolf Harris Skeet
Shoot uses the latest Fireball (tm) turbo-loading technology,
so we are up and running less than 12 minutes after inserting
the tape and shift/run-stopping. Hardly enough time to boil the
kettle, whip up a couple of toasted ham and cheese sandwiches,
check the mail, and make a nice cup of tea. By the way, make sure
you catch the loading screen - Flange's genius is evident here
as well.
The title screen is probably the weakest link
and although it is not credited, I suspect that Flange is not
responsible. Even so, Rolf is still fairly discernable despite
missing his trademark beard.
There are few options (this is a traditional
skeet shooting game) except for one- or two-players and a choice
between over-and-under or the more traditional side-by-side shotgun
configuration. Being the rebellious type I opt for the over-and-under,
and select the single-player game.
Mormahan has wisely used the same familiar controls
first seen in "Duck Season with Wham". Hitting the space
bar starts off proceedings. The "\" key, which sounded
the duck call in Duck Season with Wham, intitates the synthesized
"pull!" cry which signals for the skeet to be launched.
When I first heard "pull!" I actually turned around
to see if someone was standing behind me! And no surprise really,
given that Rolf Harris Skeet Shoot uses the same speech synthesis
technology first showcased in "A View to a Kill". Other
controls are familiar, "?" switches between left- and
right-handed stance, "r" crouches, and "4"
reloads the shotgun.
Once the skeet has been released the action
really starts. The target is controlled by the joystick and the
shotgun is triggered by the fire button. The control can be a
little confusing at first because Mormahan has adopted the flight-simulator
concept whereby pulling down on the joystick causes the target
to rise, while pushing forward causes it to lower. After a few
minutes it becomes obvious why he has chosen this method and it
is just another indication of Mormahan's innate understanding
of gamers and gameplay. (Alternatively, the keyboard can be used:
"u" is up, "d" is down, "l" is left
and "r" is right (note that you will also crouch when
you move the target right). The shotgun is fired by simultaneously
holding down "f" and "!").
There are three rounds of four skeets each to
get through (two pairs from each side in each round). Bonus points
can also be earned by shooting the paint cans that periodically
fly across the screen. Although they move quickly, you are alerted
to the imminent release of one when you hear Rolf's traditional
wobble-board sounding. The trick is to reload as soon as possible
after discharging both barrels to ensure that you can pick off
the paint cans as soon as they appear.
Overall, gameplay in the single-player mode
is gripping and it has that real "just one more go"
attraction. Unfortunately, my nephew was on a school outing when
I reviewed this game so I can't comment on the two-player mode.
However, given the overall quality of the entire package I have
no doubt that you would be in for some fast and furious two-player
fun!
Nigel "Crack-Shot" Untridge
Ratings
Graphics: 8
Sound: 9
Gameplay: 8
Overall: 7.5
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