Article 33203 of rec.games.video:
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!ames!olivea!uunet!gtsi!rich
From: rich@gtsi.com (Richard Lawrence)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video,alt.games.lynx
Subject: Lynx reviews, Part 1 of 3
Message-ID: <BpvJoI.44o@gtsi.com>
Date: 15 Jun 92 06:36:17 GMT
Organization: GTSI - Govt. Technology Services Inc.
Lines: 522
Xref: mentor.cc.purdue.edu rec.games.video:33203 alt.games.lynx:97

Release 3.4 - Rich's Light Reviews - quick Lynx reviews for all games
 
Please attribute these reviews when you quote them. They are in the
public domain, but are Copyright (C) 1992 by Richard Lawrence. Any use,
abuse, misuse, folding, mutilation or especially spindling without the
express written consent (in blood) of Richard Lawrence would be a Bozo
no-no.
 
 * Several abbreviations:
   C-pad == Control pad                  A/B   == A button or B button
   Opt1  == Option 1 (Opt2 == Option2)   SW    == Software
 
Any questions, comments, additions, deletions, thanks, or large monetary
contributions can be sent to the following addresses:
 
Internet: rich@halluc.com  rich@gtsi.com
UUCP:  uunet!gtsi!rich  {uunet,uupsi}!halluc!rich
CI$: 71101,2272  GEnie: R.LAWRENCE14  Fido: 1:109/345
BBS: 703-425-5824 (The Hallucination, 2+ Gigs, 3700+ conferences)
 
Please understand that while I find your comments interesting, I feel no
obligation to change my opinion to coincide with yours just because you
write me. :-)
 
Other info sources: Robert Jung (rjung@girtab.usc.edu) keeps a complete
set of Lynx reviews as well. His tend to be comparatively long, and his
opinion often varies from mine - but that's what preferences are all
about. Eric Ng (erc@plitvice.berkeley.edu or erc@zabriskie.berkeley.edu)
maintains a multi-machine rating list, voted on by members of the UseNet
community. For voting info write video-request@irss.njit.edu, or look
in rec.games.video. Take the time to vote - the more that do, the more
"real" the voting ratings are. I take the liberty of quoting Eric's list
votes after my own.
 
The format of these reviews is designed to present the most amount of
information in the least amount of space. Each review is exactly one
text screen long (25 lines) so that many conventional text viewers for
most PCs will be able to flip forward one review at a time. Here is a
break down of the sections of the reviews and their meaning.
 
NAME - I think we can figure this one out. Top left hand corner.
 
BY: (New this revision) In two parts, shows the publisher (note: not
necessarily the programming house) of the game and the part number as
listed on the box.
 
PLAYERS: The number of players supported
 
STEREO: The Lynx II, as it is popularly called (Atari refuses to make a
distinction) is capable of producing stereo out of the headphone jack.
You have a Lynx II if you have a "Backlight" button on the bottom left
hand side of the display screen. If there is a ??? here, it means that
Stereo is produced but apparently by accident rather than design, as in
RoboSquash.
 
RATING: An overall game rating from 1 to 10 (type unsigned int :-) )
My rating is followed by a rating in parenthesis - this is the rating
the game received on the Usenet rating list named above. I do not
individually rate the gameplay, graphics, sounds, sprite count,
title screen, or any other subdivision of the game. I believe it is
contrary to the nature of a review - whether you recommend the game
or not. Consider a 5-6 a "maybe", 7-8 = yes, 9 = YES!, and 10 = Sally's
reaction from "When Harry Met Sally".
 
****IMPORTANT NOTE!*****: I will occasionally rate games 10, and
occasionally rate them 1. I use the WHOLE range of the scale, unlike 98%
of the game magazines out there. Judge purchases accordingly.
 
PROGRAM: The principle programmer of the game, or if a team, the name of
the team if relevant. This used to be the "TYPE" field, but I decided
that was redundant to the "WHAT" entry in the text proper.
 
COMLYNX: If they game supports Comlynxing multiple players, this field
will have a "Yes". Note that it is possible to have multiple players but
no Comlynx, although a dumb design feature (Fidelity Chess).
 
BLINK: The Lynx II seems to have a small hardware incompatibility
with the original Lynx chip set. On some games there will appear a
single pixel that may blink or shine steady, depending on action on the
screen. It is not very noticeable, does not appear in the same place in
all games, and is included in the review more as trivia than anything
else. If there is a "Yes" here, then this game shows a blinking dot on
my Lynx II at one point or another. This may be fixed in later units.
 
WHAT: Describes as succinctly as possible the point or "plot" of the
game.
 
HOW: Attempts to touch on as many aspects of the implementation of the
game as possible, describing control schemes, options available,
ergonomics, etc. I try to keep this section as objective as possible, a
just the facts type of approach.
 
SOAPBOX: is where I climb up on the Soapbox and either laud or rip the
game to shreds, depending on my mood, the phase of the moon, and on a
related note, my girlfriends mood that day. This is a completely
subjective analysis. You should correlate my feelings on games that you
already own to see if you generally agree with me or think I'm a total
twit so you can make the best use of this section.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.P.B.                BY: Atari (PA2042)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 8 (7.4)  PROGRAM: Quicksilver SW        COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Arrest criminals for crimes ranging from littering to drug dealing
 
HOW : You are officer Bob, and during your typical day you view your
patrol car from above as you chase after,apprehend, and take back to the
police station criminals. You drive through big symbolic donuts to get
extra time, stop at a gas station for extra fuel, pick up hidden stacks
of cash now and then to purchase enhancements for your veHICle, and
generally bust the bad guys. B accelerates your car, and A activates
your siren to make an arrest. At the start of each level you get your
assignments, which always include some simple quotas such as honkers or
litterbugs, but could include a special criminal whom you will have to
chase down and return to base. As in the arcades, this game features
plenty of digitized speech and some amusing graphics.
 
SOAPBOX: I find this game a lot of fun. The control scheme is not the
best, as it is necessary to constantly hold down A with the tip of my
thumb and rock the joint down on B to make an arrest (turn the siren on)
which is backwards from the way it should be. The cars on the road don't
behave exactly like the arcade, because your siren doesn't make them
head for the shoulder, which can be aggravating. But most aspects of
the original are preserved, including the very funny digitized sounds,
and the game play here is reasonably original.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awesome Golf          BY: Atari (PA2049)        PLAYERS: 4   STEREO: No
RATING: 9 (8.2)  PROGRAM: Hand Made SW          COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: A golf simulation, emphasizing realism and nice graphics
 
HOW : Teeing off is a view from behind the player, with animation of the
swing. Afterwards, view switches to an above the ball perspective, with
the green shrinking and growing underneath as the ball follows its ball-
istic curve. A full complement of clubs is available, with three courses
of 18 holes. Various difficulty features including wind, etc. can be set
from intro screen. The game does not prompt you with the appropriate
club for the distance to the hole. Overhead view of the green before the
tee allows scrolling in any direction and user-controlled scaling of
display. Bunkers, water hazards, and trees are the main enemies.Skill in
swing is simulated by quick moving bar, requiring precise timing to hit.
 
SOAPBOX: This game is reminiscent of the arcade "Birdie King" and its
imitations. Awesome Golf is exactly that; awesome - with incredible use
of the Lynx scaling hardware and digitized sound (including laughs when
you miss the swing). A must buy for any remote sports fan, a great cart
to show off the Lynx. Comlynx with up to 4 players should satisfy comp-
etition urge. The game is no pushover, and does not give away hole-in-
ones with the ease many others do. The only potential problems are for
serious golfers:no ability to change your stance, or introduce backspin.
But for a hand-held golf game, this cart delivers a lot of fun.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Batman Returns        BY: Atari (PA2101)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (N/A)  PROGRAM: Atari games           COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Fight the evil minions of the Penguin/Catwoman (run and punch)
 
HOW : Standard fare - C-pad is a directional, B jumps, A either throws
a batarang, punches, or tosses an acid vial, depending on which you
select (via Opt1). Progress is left-to-right, and you can't move back-
wards - although sometimes you can jump up onto elevated platforms.
health is shone in a graph at bottom left, score upper right. Health,
batarangs, and acid vials can be replenished throughout the game via
"power-ups" - most often hidden behind vertical objects on the screen.
 
SOAPBOX: Ho-hum. At a retail $50 price tag, this game is horribly over-
priced, especially when one considers that it's another Ninja Gaiden.
Those who enjoy the genre might like this game; it's certainly difficult
enough. Characters are about 1/3 the vertical size of the screen and
graphics are smooth and fast. Power-ups, particularly new batarangs, can
be hard to see because of their dark colors (the game itself is very
dark hued, I suppose in tribute to the eternally poor lighting in
Gotham). Controls are responsive,but you'd better be quick about hitting
Opt1 to switch between weapons (which mixed enemy types often requires).
The best strategy for getting farther seems to be to run away from
everything you can, and fight only those enemies that can hurt you from
behind (machine guns, etc). A well implemented but unoriginal game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill & Ted's Ex. Adv. BY: Atari (PA2068)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (6.4)  PROGRAM: Al Baker              COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT:Bill & Ted wander through time trying to rescue the princess(es)
 
HOW :This is a "run about and gather items" game. The two key elements
are musical notes and pages from Rufus' phone book, which allow players
to continue on to other segments of the game- basically they are success
meters. Also to be found are musical instruments, used for soothing wild
beasts,and sometimes to trade with other characters,keys and other misc-
ellaneous items.Overhead perspective is used throughout,with independent
scrolling screens for each player (in a one player game,only one charac-
ter is used).A sixteen character password will save the players location
and inventory for later playing. The game is much too large to finish in
one sitting. Some timing puzzles are extremely close.
 
SOAPBOX: Despite the repetitive nature of these types of games, this one
has some fairly innovative ideas. The time theme is used well (players
will have to leave items for themselves to find in the future, etc.) and
even the worn Bill & Ted "bogus" terminology is funny at times.The prob-
lem is that game play can be very frustrating in certain timing puzzles,
resulting in a lot of aggravation (at least for me). The rating of this
game went down after I had played it through some more, mostly because
of the maddening end game set (San Dimas) which was simply no fun at
all.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blockout              BY: Atari (PA2056)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (6.7)  PROGRAM: Mirek Zablocki        COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Drop various block shapes into a 3-d pit, attempting to create a
filled level at the bottom of the pit, much like Tetris but in 3-D.
 
HOW :Various difficulties, in terms of speed,complexity of block shapes,
and the size of the pit can be selected from a starting menu. The 3-D
effect is well done, both with receding lines to show depth and darker
colors for far away blocks. New blocks enter the screen at the top of
the well. New blocks are transparent, with white outlines to show you
their shape. The trick is to get the block rotated in such a way that it
will fit optimally into what already exists in the well. When an x-y
plane is complete, that level disappears,your score goes up,and the game
speeds up. Holding down B and moving C-pad left or right gives a Y-axis
rotation, up or down is an X-axis rotation. Z axis rotation is performed
by holding B and then pressing A. A by itself drops a block into the
well. Blocks will move down themselves at various speeds depending on
difficulty. An indicator on the left will show how high up in levels the
highest block in the well is.
 
SOAPBOX: Z-axis rotation is difficult, which detracts slightly from the
game. But it is certainly playable, and fast paced, with great graphics
and good sound. This game is more complex than Tetris because of the 3-D
aspect, but doesn't have quite the flow of Tetris (or the neat music).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Lightning        BY: Atari (PA2020)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (7.3)  PROGRAM: S. Landrum (EPYX)     COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Fly your super jet fighter against a variety of enemies
 
HOW :View is from slightly behind your plane. Left and right C-pad turn
up to 90 degrees - if you turn and then hit Opt2 you will do a roll (no
real benefit though). A fires your guns, and B fires homing missiles.
When a target is bracketed on the screen, you can fire a missile, the
bracket turns red and you can then move on to your next target. The
horizon does NOT tilt with your turns, just the plane, so you always see
a level horizon. There is no cockpit instrumentation; just indications
of the score and number of missiles left. It is impossible to crash into
the ground, but you can hit landscape features like hills or buttes in
the canyon area. There is a password option to start over.
 
SOAPBOX:Blue Lightning doesn't really offer much in the way of game play
and is pretty easy, but it has great graphics that really give it value.
The pity is that you don't see the better graphics right away, so many
people pick it up and play it a little while without being impressed.
Once you get to the canyon sequence (with all the Close Encounters
mountains) you'll see some neat scaling effects. And the game does offer
fast action. See if you can find it discounted; it was one of the first
four games out and should be pretty cheap nowadays. This game and Turbo
Sub are very similar in game play - but I feel Blue Lightning is better.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Games      BY: Atari (PA2025)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (5.8)  PROGRAM: EPYX SW               COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: 4 games in one - BMX racing, Surfing, Half pipe, and Footbag
 
HOW :BMX Racing is a side view scrolling racetrack. A pulls a wheelie,
B attempts a flip. Right C-pad moves forward, up/down moves towards the
top/bottom of the track. The trick is timing the two basic maneuvers to
cause "cool" things to happen, which result in points. Surfing is also a
side view. C-pad left and right turns your board. Holding A results in a
sharper turn. Banking on the wave correctly will build velocity to the
point that you can do multiple 360's in the air,which gives you the most
points. Trivia: if you die at just the right time, you can land on the
bird (surfer bird!). Half-pipe is a skateboard game, where you perform
tricks like flipping direction, hand standing at the top of the pipe,
and more. Timing is crucial; use the cement lines to judge your moves.
In footbag you try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible using
your feet, hands and head. C-pad moves around and A hits the ball. C-pad
down gives a special "spin" move for extra points. Timing special shots
will also increase your score.
 
SOAPBOX:The original packaged Lynx game,came with all the first run Lynx
units. The games are simple and are all based on timing. They get old
pretty quickly, but Comlynxing makes them fun again, especially BMX.
Not a stellar cart, but the multiple games provide variety.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Checkered Flag        BY: Atari (PA2053)        PLAYERS: 6   STEREO: Yes
RATING: 8 (8.9)  PROGRAM: Ginner/Strach         COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Fast paced Formula 1 racing
 
HOW :View is from within a cockpit of sorts, but with your car directly
in front of you. Side view mirrors to either side accurately depict any
following cars, and a simple instrument panel shows speed and an analog
graph of the RPM. The road display is a basic single lane that dwindles
to a point on the horizon, much like that used in Super Monaco et al at
the arcades.When turning the entire horizon shifts left to right or vice
versa, complete with trees and the occasional billboard. Up to six
players can link and play, but a total of ten cars can be on the track
(the others controlled by computer). A wide variety (18) of tracks are
provided. Shifting can be automatic or manual,with either 5 or 7 speeds.
Shifting is accomplished by control pad up or down.
 
SOAPBOX: A great competition game, either against the computer or fellow
players. Up to nine computer drones with up to fifty tracks makes for a
wide variety of difficulties. Several nice touches include scaleable
Atari ads on the billboards, and the ability to select the color of your
car and (this is original) the sex of the driver, which effects your
reward at the end of a race.Computer cars drive well, particularly after
you pass them (they never fall far behind). Rivals Warbirds in the
Comlynx fun department. Hint: Manual 7 speed is the way to go.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chip's Challenge      BY: Atari (PA2028)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING:10 (8.4)  PROGRAM: C. Sommerville        COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT:Help Chip win the respect of Melinda by completing 144 chip puzzles
 
HOW : Chip is viewed from overhead, typically in a maze configuration.He
can see all parts of the maze. All Chip can do is move and pick things
up; but by his actions he can cause many things to happen. His objective
is to collect enough computer chips on each level to pass through the
chip gate. There are tens of objects in the game; basic blocks that are
immovable, blocks of fire, water, ice, dirt (can be pushed around),
invisible blocks, magnetic ones that tug Chip along against his will,and
more.Mix these in with monsters, nasty ones and mostly harmless ones and
even a few friendly ones,and you have the building blocks of some fiend-
ish puzzles.If that's not enough, the clock is ticking, and the time you
have per level can vary from plenty to split seconds available. A
password feature allows you to pick up on the level you last played.
 
SOAPBOX: Some will inevitably argue with my 10 rating on this game. But
to me, this is the perfect Lynx game. Simple in concept, but with enough
variety to provide for high replay value. Good graphics and sound,
excellent mix of strategy and reflexes. This game is original,well done,
and FUN.Since it was one of the original Lynx carts,it's often available
discounted. Buy it, it's worth it. Has the best "hidden feature" I've
found in any Lynx game: type MAND for a password and play Mandelbrot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Mines II      BY: Atari (PA2105)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 8 (9.0)  PROGRAM: Color Dreams          COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Recover precious gems from mines using a robot, avoiding demons
 
HOW: You are a little robot with a short-range gun. C-pad is a direc-
tional (diagonals work but not for firing), A fires and B drops TNT if
you have any. TNT explosions destroy you, so after dropping it you must
run quickly away. You do NOT fall when in open space (the bottom of the
screen is down) but other objects do,like rocks.Various demons and other
nasty critters inhabit the mines, ranging from easy to impossible to
kill.You pick up crystals and helpful objects by rolling over them.Walls
can sometimes be destroyed or moved,often revealing secret passages.
Gravity switches will sometimes invert gravity, and there are invisible
traps that can hold you helpless momentarily or kill you. A timer exists
for each level, and varies considerably.Several special tools are scatt-
ered on levels like a shield and buzzsaw (cut through the ground without
firing at it) to help you out. Likewise, there are often demons hidden
or disguised as rocks.
 
SOAPBOX: I had to double check to see if Sommerville (Chip's Challenge)
did this game. They are very similar in play, although CM2 also
resembles Boulderdash. After 2 hours of playing I had only made it to
the 11th of 150 levels, so this game has lots of play potential. Watch
the demons to learn their movement patterns. Fun!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electro-Cop           BY: Atari (PA2021)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (6.3)  PROGRAM: Greg Omi              COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Rescue the President's daughter, kidnapped by an evil robot
 
HOW : You are electro-cop, a computer analog brain running a powerful
mechanical body. Since you have hyper fast reactions etc, you have been
selected to rescue the President's daughter. The C-pad moves you around,
A fires, B will make you jump when running or squat when standing still.
You have the ability to run side to side or front to back. Occasionally
you will find doors, or corridors, always front to back - when you run
through these the screen scales that level closer, and you are on it.You
can also see the level you were JUST ON in a sort of outline mode as a
light white overlay.This is helpful if you have to run backwards,because
you will see a robot before you run into it.View takes some getting used
to, but is unique and makes good use of Lynx capabilities. Various power
ups are to be found, mostly for more firepower. Computer nodes will help
open doors and give you information- including three small "hidden" game
programs. Door combinations are always the same. You have one hour to
rescue the princess, real time. There are a wide variety of enemies.
 
SOAPBOX: Surprisingly, I still haven't finished this game. I keep
loosing my list of door combos. It's fun though, and fast paced. Give it
a try. This is another original game, so look for it cheap.
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Ult. Chess   BY: Telegames (LX101)     PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (6.6)  PROGRAM: Telegames             COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Classic no-frills chess
 
HOW :The traditional chess board can viewed either from overhead (2D) or
from an angle (3D).While the 3D view is a nice feature,it is often hard
to properly distinguish pieces. Play can either be against the computer
or a human opponent, but not through a Comlynx cable - the unit must be
handed back and forth. The computer appears to play a solid game,compar-
able to many 6502 based dedicated chess sets. It seems to have a library
of several openings, but they must be played through; as there is no
option to start a game at a given move. A colored square selects a piece
to be placed, and the player then moves to the desired destination and
pushes a button to make the move.The computer signals its own moves in
the same manner. Various difficulties can be selected.
 
SOAPBOX: I'm no good at chess. I know how to move the pieces around.
Consequently Chess Challenge beats the pants off me every time; I think
I've come close once. I did at one point match it against various levels
of a dedicated chess set and it played well. A big annoyance is the wait
after the computer signals a move,which is totally unnecessary and can't
be skipped. Also desireable would be a Comlynx feature. This game has
special programming to prevent Lynx auto-shutdown from loosing a game.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gates of Zendocon     BY: Atari (PA2023)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 8 (6.6)  PROGRAM: P. Engelbrite         COMLYNX: No   BLINK:
 
WHAT: A side scrolling shoot-em-up reminiscent of Scramble
 
HOW :The average gamer knows the controls for this one before he even
sits down to play it. The C-pad moves around, B fires your laser, and A
activates a limited time shield. Holding B will continuously fire the
laser, but pushing it on and off quickly will also drop slightly more
powerful bombs.There are 51 levels to blast through plus a hidden level.
Opponents are too varied to list, but be assured they have different
characteristics, so there is a minimal element of strategy involved in
how you fight particular opponents. There are also, of course, a variety
of power ups in the form of "friends" you can find to aid you in your
combat. In all you can have four friends around your ship, which makes
you quite a blast center.
 
SOAPBOX: We all know the drill on this one. Everybody involved in video
games has played a shooter. Gates delivers on several fronts; neat
graphics, game play and frantic action. In particular I like the variety
of "enemies" - there is one level where you fight growing crystals, one
where you fly through an example of the Life pattern, etc. The hidden
level contains faces of the designers of the Lynx and the game. There is
a lot of attention to detail in this cart.Good as a thumbbuster shooter,
but don't expect too much out of the end-game sequence.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauntlet III          BY: Atari (PA2024)        PLAYERS: 4   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (5.2)  PROGRAM: Jon Leupp             COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: A top view dungeon exploration, with lots of monsters and levels
 
HOW : Gauntlet 3 only very superficially resembles the arcade Gauntlets;
so don't buy it on the assumption they are alike. They are both top down
view and multiple players with different fight/magic characteristics,but
that's about where it ends.There is actually more depth to Gauntlet 3 in
many respects; there are many more potions; lots of different character
classes to choose from (the Robot is the best in the long haul).Controls
are what you might expect - C-pad moves (diagonals work) and A fires. B
activates an inventory view, which allows you to use, drop or just look
at items you carry. 3/4ths of the screen is an overhead view of the
dungeon,to the bottom left is a unique first person view of what you are
approaching (for instance, monsters will appear in close up here during
combat) and to the bottom right are your vital stats. There are secret
doors, keys, potions, gold, and other goodies spread throughout the game.
 
SOAPBOX: The only quibble I have with Gauntlet is that it is too easy,
even though it's quite large. I beat it in four days, but that last game
was long. There is no password feature. It gets VERY easy with multiple
players, and it doesn't have a high replay value, since nothing changes
from game to game. A good example of a game that is technically well
done (except for music) but doesn't have high play value.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Drivin'          BY: Atari (PA2044)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 1 (4.3)  PROGRAM: J. Sanderson (NuFX)   COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Polygon-rendered driving simulation
 
HOW : View is from within the car when driving. Two methods of control
are available, one with automatic transmission (C-pad steers) and one
with manual shift, which requires the use of the Opt1 and Opt2 buttons
for up/down shifting. After wrecks, a non-controllable replay view of
the wreck is shown. B button accelerates. There is one course with two
loops - the speed track and the stunt track. The speed track allows high
MPH but has little excitement, the stunt track features loops, jumps and
inclined turns. Faster lap times are to be had on the stunt track,
assuming one can handle it.
 
SOAPBOX: Hard Drivin' is a total dud.I was fairly addicted to the arcade
version- it's high resolution polygon graphics and tactile feedback were
revolutionary.The Lynx version preserves none of that, of course, but is
also so pathetically slow it makes you wonder why Atari ever let it out
of the gate. I have to believe the machine itself is not at fault here,
but rather the program. If the frame rate were higher this would be an
ok game, but the difficult control in shift mode and slow as molasses
response kill it. Don't buy this.I mean it. Did I mention that the
control is impossibly touchy on steering? Avoid this game like the
plague. Nada. Do not buy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ishido                BY: Atari (PA2065)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 8 (6.7)  PROGRAM: S. Marschner          COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT:Heavy thinking game,requiring placing of colored stones for points.
 
HOW :The game board is a 12x8 grid.Game pieces have two distinct charac-
teristics: color and shape. Pieces must be laid down in such a way that
either of these two traits is shared with the piece you place next to.
Certain combinations result in points, with highest points being awarded
for difficult four-way formations of both color and shape. The outside
rim of the board is a "no score" area, and is used to set up potential
scoring formations on the inside. Rules are easy to learn but very diff-
icult to master. The Lynx can show you potential placements, as well as
stones yet to placed at the cost of your chance for a high score.
Completing certain formations results in tidbits of wisdom from the
"Oracle" (basically an electronic fortune cookie).
 
SOAPBOX: The key to this game is whether you enjoy the type. It is an
excellent IMPLEMENTATION, with distinctive graphics and good sound, what
there is of it. But keep in mind this is a simple colored stones game
with very few gee-whiz features about it. Unfortunately the buxom lady
on the cover is nowhere to be found in the game. Those who appreciate
games such as Go or Shanghai will like this as well. If you do like this
style, you will get hours of fun out of this one.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 
Rich Lawrence - "Stinger" - DoD#9630 '92 Seca II - Buckaroo Banzai lives!
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Article 33205 of rec.games.video:
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!ames!olivea!uunet!gtsi!rich
From: rich@gtsi.com (Richard Lawrence)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video,alt.games.lynx
Subject: Lynx reviews, part 2 of 3
Message-ID: <BpvJpL.45M@gtsi.com>
Date: 15 Jun 92 06:36:57 GMT
Organization: GTSI - Govt. Technology Services Inc.
Lines: 528
Xref: mentor.cc.purdue.edu rec.games.video:33205 alt.games.lynx:99

(continued)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Klax                  BY: Atari (PA2031)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO:YES!
RATING:10 (8.6)  PROGRAM: Greg Omi              COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Catch falling tiles on a moving platform,and then attempt to stack
them in special scoring configurations.
 
HOW : Klax is a sideways-viewed game (you hold the Lynx with the c-pad
either at the top or bottom of the display). The playfield consists of a
top section which is a conveyor belt 5 spaces wide, down which will flop
colored tiles. You have a tile holder in the middle of the screen which
can hold up to five tiles, and can flip them back onto the conveyor or
drop them below, into a 5x5 grid. Completing certain configurations of
tiles will result in points and the tiles disappearing. The most basic
winning combination is three tiles in a row, vertically, diagonally, or
horizontal.Much more complex winning structures are possible, e.g. a 5x3
"X". You have a certain quota of Klaxes (winning combos) per level.Some-
times levels will have special requirements,like the aforementioned X,to
be completed before moving on. The further you get, the faster the tiles
come down the belt and the more complicated the winning conditions.
 
SOAPBOX: I love this game. It's loads of fun, can be understood easily,
and is easy to get into in a short time. It requires both fast reflexes
and quick thinking for high scores, and features good graphics and
*spectacular* sound to boot. This is *the* demo for Lynx stereo sound.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ms. Pac-Man           BY: Atari (PA2057)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 8 (6.7)  PROGRAM: Ginner/Strach         COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Classic Ms. Pac-man game, with a few enhancements
 
HOW :If you don't know what this game is like,then you've been in a cave
for the past ten years.But for the benefit of those in caves,the Pac-Man
games are mazes viewed from overhead that take up one screen each.In the
maze is Ms. Pac-Man, a bunch of dots worth points, four ghosts intent on
eating Ms.Pac-Man,and four power pills that temporarily allow Ms.Pac-Man
to eat ghosts.In Ms.Pac-Man, unlike the original Pac-Man,there are paths
off and on screen again to the sides.Also,the "fruit" (high points item)
bounces and moves in Ms.Pac-Man.The c-pad moves, and that's about it for
controls (you can view the high scores with Opt2 and the regular pause,
flip etc. work). Ms. Pac-Mac moves slower when eating dots, the Ghosts
move slower in the side corridors, and at higher levels the ghosts won't
stay blue when you eat a power pill.This game adds a little variety from
the original with the option for more complex mazes, and a special
lightning power-up that lets Ms. Pac-Man move much faster.
 
SOAPBOX: A classic. Yes, the intermissions are there. Hampered slightly
by the c-pad (it plays significantly better on a LynxII versus the older
Lynx) but still very playable. Sounds and graphics are very faithful
to the arcade original. Wocka wocka. Now if only we had *Pac-Man* with
all the paterns intact.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ninja Gaiden          BY: Atari (PA2039)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (6.1)  PROGRAM: Atari Games           COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Ninjutsu everybody to death
 
HOW : In this left-to-right scrolling hack and slay, you are the lone
Ninja against a horde of weird bad guys inhabiting your city. From the
basic punch and kick to the ill-explained ninjutsu attacks, you have a
variety of moves to use against this ill ilk to waste them in classic
Ninja fashion.
 
SOAPBOX: I don't really like this type of game, but this is a passable
version of it. The biggest problem is the short length; I was able to
complete the entire game (while never getting a firm handle on any of
the special moves) in about three days. There is no problem solving or
even thinking involved; you just bang away at the buttons until things
are dead. The graphics are well done, with often humorous enemies (a
bunch of Jason-types, and biker/loggers!). The dreaded Atari instruc-
tion "Poster" does a terrible job of hinting how to make special
attacks. This game cries out for a Comlynx ability with multiple
players at once.
 
 
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pac-Land              BY: Atari (PA2059)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 5 (6.1)  PROGRAM: Joel Seider           COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: PacMan must safely escort the princess through ghost-infested
areas
 
HOW : The princess is under Pac-Mans hat (don't ask). As with most plat-
form games, the c-pad is directional, and the button jumps. Pac-Man has
no weapons to speak of. Pressing the control pad twice in succession
makes Pac-Man run, most of the time required because of a time limit on
each level. Fruits will appear along the way to gobble up, and the
occasional power pill from the arcade will make an appearance, at which
point Pac-Man can go chasing after and eat the ghosts trying to get him.
The challenge is mostly getting timing right for various jumps and
weaving your way between threatening ghosts.
 
SOAPBOX: This game bears no relationship to any of overhead perspective
Pac-Man games from the arcade. Mario has a new set of clothes, in other
words. Unfortunately the Pac-Meister just doesn't bring off Mario very
well; Pac-Man doesn't have a lot of variety or replay value.The graphics
are simple, true to the Pac-Man tradition, but don't have the neat
intermission scenes. This game has none of the strange appeal for me
that Scrapyard Dog did, for instance. I don't like it; maybe you will.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paperboy              BY: Atari (PA2041)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (5.6)  PROGRAM: Al Baker              COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Deliver papers on the toughest street in town
 
HOW : A good conversion. You see a 3/4 perspective of the screen, with
scrolling from top to bottom. The objective is to deliver papers to your
loyal subscribers, and do willful destruction to non subscribers.You can
carry ten papers at a time, and launch them with either A or B. C-pad
left or right steers, up accelerates and B brakes.Since you must stay on
your bike, you cannot come to a full stop.Time is limited,so moving fast
is preferred. You have many more papers than you need, so you can take a
few extra and break a window here and there in a non-subscribers house,
or bean an innocent pedestrian.If you finish a course perfectly,you will
gain a customer; customers are lost by missing a delivery. At the end of
each level you face the fanciful "paper boy training course", where you
must hit bullseyes with papers and jump over ramps.
 
SOAPBOX: Well,it IS a good conversion.While this game plays well and has
decent control, it just doesn't cut it for me. The sound is hopelessly
annoying,which probably has something to do with it.It's not a bad game,
but it's not a great one either, so I put it in the middle of the pack,
ratings wise.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qix                   BY: Telegames (LX102)     PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (6.9)  PROGRAM: Telegames             COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Segment off sections of a rectangle while avoiding bad guys
 
HOW : Exactly like the arcade game. The player moves a cursor around the
screen, attempting to draw lines that complete an enclosed area,which is
then claimed for points. In the open space is an abstract set of colored
lines called the Qix, which is instant death for the player if touched.
Along the edges of the open area travel the Sparx, which also kill the
player with a touch. The only escape from them is to venture into the
open area, thus exposing yourself to the Qix. Either button allows the
player to leave the edges and move into the open area,and holding down a
button will move the cursor slowly, resulting in higher points but
greater risk from the Qix.
 
SOAPBOX: Much as the box advertises, this is a very faithful version of
the classic, especially in the sound department. It is plagued by the
Lynx control system, however, as it is often difficult to make precise
turns and reversals using the c-pad. This makes later levels where the
Qix splits especially frantic. Perhaps the most faithful feature of this
recreation is the movement of the Qix; just like in the arcades it has a
maddening tendency to always be nearby when you need to leave a wall,
despite its apparently random movement.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rampage               BY: Atari (PA2022)        PLAYERS: 4   STEREO: No
RATING: 8 (6.8)  PROGRAM: Pete Wierzbicki       COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Take the role of a movie monster, destroying a city
 
HOW : View is from the side with horizontal scrolling. You can use the
c-pad to move your monster around, and when beside a building up or down
will climb the building in that direction. Pressing A will either punch
a building, grab a human to eat, or destroy a tank/helicopter depending
on the timing (whichever is right in front of you). You have a limited
amount of health against an almost unlimited amount of human opponents.
Luckily, eating humans and some potions restore your health. You have to
be careful of what you eat, however,because some things that you uncover
in the buildings are bad even for a monster. While you are climbing and
destroying buildings, sometimes humans will plant a bomb on the building
to try to hurt you - you can either jump down and throw the bomb away or
jump off the building as it disintegrates.Multi-players can either fight
each other or play a cooperative game.The object? Find the technician at
the end of the game who can cure your condition-you may be a monster
now, but you used to be human!
 
SOAPBOX: This game is a hopelessly infantile release of hostile energy.I
love it.It is very like the arcade, with slightly different graphics and
an additional monster (a rat). Easy control and very funny Comlynx play.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rampart               BY: Atari (PA2102)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (N/A)  PROGRAM: Ginner/Strach         COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Build castles and defend against sea/ground attacks
 
HOW : Game turns are divided into three phases: Building,Canon placement
and Combat. During building you complete a wall around your castle using
randomly generated pieces that you can rotate (ala Tetris).C-pad moves a
cursor, B rotates, and A places the piece.Afterwards you place canons in
any completed castles,the number of which is proportionate to the number
of castles you have completed. In the third phase C-pad moves a firing
cursor, and A/B fires. Canons require some reloading time.Your opponents
can be ships at sea or land enemies if you allow ships to land. Timing
of the shot is important; canons fire in ballistic curves that have non
linear transport times. After combat you return to the rebuilding phase.
 
SOAPBOX: Another innovative game makes its way to the Lynx. Rampart is
very at home on the small screen. Graphics are excellent, and the sound
is well done (music by LX Rudis, of Klax fame). The cursor isn't as res-
ponsive as I would like it to be, which makes it difficult to complete
multiple castles, but the game is certainly playable with Lynx controls.
This is also a quite challenging cart in play, much as it was in the
arcade. Hats off to Atari for doing an excellent translation and once
again giving us a cart that provides for high variety in the Lynx game
selection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Road Blasters         BY: Atari (PA2036)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: ???
RATING: 6 (7.3)  PROGRAM: D. Scott Williamson   COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Fight evil Death Squad cars in a post nuclear war road rally
 
HOW : View is very similar to that in Checkered Flag. You see your car
from slightly above and behind, sitting on a road that diminishes to a
point on the horizon. The c-pad up and down accelerates or brakes, left
or right steers, and A fires your laser. Periodically a jet will drop a
special weapon for you, which you can catch and then use with B. The
object is to shoot enemies that can be destroyed (blue cars can't be by
conventional weapons) as accurately as possible,as bonus multipliers are
given for accuracy. You must also be careful to conserve your fuel,which
depletes rapidly. Luckily there are fuel globes on the course that you
can pick up and use.Other obstacles include mines,gun turrets on the side
of the road, and helpless motorists who don't appear to understand there
is a death race on.
 
SOAPBOX: This game has great graphics and sound, but isn't very easy to
control. This was one of my favorites in the arcades, but I just can't
get the hang of the pad to steer, so that keeps it from getting high
marks. It is extremely well done however. If you already have Checkered
Flag you might want to think twice, or vice versa,because they have many
similarities in play,the exception being you don't kill people in CF. As
a pure racing game this one doesn't make it,but as an arcade its ok.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RoboSquash            BY: Atari (PA2035)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: ???
Rating: 2 (3.8)  PROGRAM: Atari Games           COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Play pong/air hockey against an opponent in a 3-D field
 
HOW : Picture a zero-gravity cube, with you at one end and an opponent
at the other. You both have magnetic paddles that you can move in two
dimensions on your end, but not on the Z access (towards the other
player). A ball bounces back and forth. If you miss the ball with your
paddle it "splats" across your field of vision (maybe it's a tomato?)
and makes it harder to see. Sometimes there are icons floating in the
middle of the room that give you extra paddles, special characteristics
like being able to catch the ball, etc., and if you hit these with the
ball then you receive that special ability. The ball goes faster as time
goes by. Winning a round will give you a colored ball on a sort of large
tic-tac-toe playing grid; if you win several rounds in a row to complete
a line on the grid then you get more points, thus lending a minimal
strategy aspect, if you call tic-tac-toe strategy.
 
SOAPBOX: Until Hard Drivin', Robo-Squash had the dubious honor of being
the worst Lynx cartridge in existence. To complement its pathetic game
play and truly ancient concept (come on folks, Pong was the FIRST VIDEO
GAME!!) it has ho-hum sound (and really messed up stereo) and mediocre
graphics. It might be fun in Comlynx mode, but I've never found another
person who bought it. Not recommended at all.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robotron:2084         BY: Shadowsoft (PT5003)   PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: Yes
RATING: 7 (8.7)  PROGRAM: Shadowsoft            COMLYNX: No   BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Save humanity from evil robots bent on destruction
 
HOW : Another faithful arcade port, Robotron places the player, a lone
human with a big ray gun,in the center of a rectangular field surrounded
by various killer robots and some other humans.The object is to save the
humans (by touching them) and shoot the robots. The humans aren't harmed
by the ray gun,but the robots can kill them in various ways.The original
arcade featured two joysticks; one for movement and one for firing. This
version has three methods to suit different tastes;either the ability to
fire in the direction of movement or opposite it;the ability to rotate a
continuous fire stream with A/B, or a permanently rotating stream.
 
SOAPBOX: No question about it,the control schemes detract from the game.
After you pick one you can get used to it; but you'll never get the high
scores you did in the arcade.That aside, this is a fabulous translation,
with all the sounds reproduced exactly as they were in the arcade, and
graphics faithfully recreated as well. It's as if a Robotron machine has
been shrunk down and stuck in your Lynx. Two bad Shadowsoft didn't
program a two player cooperative mode for moving and firing at the same
time, it would have made this cartridge a 10      . The only stereo
effect is when you get killed, as far as I can determine.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rygar                 BY: Atari (PA2043)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (6.4)  PROGRAM: Lou Haehn             COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Free the land from the evil creatures (hack n' slay)
      
HOW : Rygar was a fairly popular arcade game in '86 or so.Basically,it's
a left to right scrolling hack and slay. C-pad left and right moves,down
makes you squat down, A slashes and B jumps. You can jump on top of
critters to temporarily disable them. Levels are pre-defined,so repeated
play will teach you where to expect creatures and how to beat them.There
are a plethora of power ups; you can make your weapon stronger, double
your points for a period,get more time,destroy everything on the screen,
etc. Getting hit ONCE kills your character. You start with three lives,
and can get others with points.On each level you start with 100 seconds,
but you can often find time increasing power ups.
 
SOAPBOX: Rygar is not what you would call a complex game. As one of the
first in the hack and slay category, it is a classic to many people, and
those looking for a recreation will be well pleased by this conversion,
which does a good job of replicating the arcade game.Graphics are rather
plain (they were that way in the arcade), but there is some parallax
scrolling and a few other touches that make up for the bland colors.
 
Tidbit: Lynx games I'd like to see - Berserk, Moon Buggy, Gyruss
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scrapyard Dog         BY: Atari (PA2048)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (7.8)  PROGRAM: Creative Software     COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Pursue the evil Mr. Big who has stolen your dog
 
HOW : A side-scrolling jump and shoot game. A jumps, B "fires" (Louie,
the main character, throws soda cans as his main and only weapon). Opt1
and Opt2 also launch soda cans. Generally the character moves left to
right, jumping over various obstacles and unleashing torrents of cans at
Mr. Big's henchmen. At various points in the game shops can be found to
purchase options with money discovered along the way,such as shields and
other helpful abilities. Also to be found are special bonus areas, with
different tasks, such as jumping on a huge piano to play a particular
tune or playing the old shell game.
 
SOAPBOX: I can't figure out its specific appeal, but this game is fun if
you bother to give it a try. The cartoon graphics are simple but
effective, and make sense given the theme of the game.Music is light and
manages to not get on your nerves after extended play. This game needs a
password feature, because the 15 levels are NOT a breeze, despite the
apparent "childrens" nature of the game. Don't dismiss it because of the
graphics or the theme; the graphics are actually pretty well done, and
the theme is just a non-violent platform game, ala Pac-Land.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slime World           BY: Atari (PA2029)        PLAYERS: 8   STEREO: No
RATING: 9 (7.9)  PROGRAM: Pete Engelbrite       COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Explore a world full of slime infested critters in search of gems
 
HOW :You are Todd, exploring the Slime World for Slime Gems. Todd has a
water pack on his back and a squirt gun - yes, you fight with a squirt
gun - that the aliens find deadly. He can move around via the c-pad, and
fires with A, jumpa with B.Opt1 cycles through special items or actions,
and Opt2 executes what you selected with Opt1.You have by default a com-
puter that will map the area as you go along.You can pick up mega-bombs,
cleansers (turn slime infested pools into water), gun enhancements, jet
packs, slime gems (points), super slime gems (invincible) and some other
items. If you get slimed, you are injured, but you can clean yourself in
the occasional pool of water.If you are slimed too heavily you will die,
and there are aliens that kill you with a single evil red slime glob.
 
SOAPBOX: Talk about your original games, Slime World is it. This must be
the place where all aliens from horror movies come from,because they all
seem to have the gooey slime you find all over in this world.SW is loads
of fun to play, humorous, and has some tricky sections requiring quick
thinking on your slimy feet to get out of. Lots of options. Another MUST
PLAY with the Comlynx - especially with several other players.One of the
true stand out games in the Lynx crowd.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shanghai              BY: Atari (PA2063)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 9 (8.5)  PROGRAM: Ginner/Strach         COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Ancient game of strategy, removing matching tiles from a pile
 
HOW : Shanghai is based on an ancient Chinese strategy game of the same
name. The concept is simple - a large pile of "tiles", with different
symbols and numbers on them, is created. You remove tiles in matching
pairs, making sure each tile selected is not partially obscured by
another tile on top of it. Piles can be of different shapes; named after
real or mythical beasts they resemble-for instance,the dragon formation.
When selecting a tile, you move a pointer above it with the control pad
and press either button. Then you must find another that matches it,
click on it, and both will be removed from the playing board. The board
is represented in a reduced view because of resolution limitations, so
whichever tile you have the pointer over is magnified for eas of ident-
ification. Two player games can be cooperative or competition.
 
SOAPBOX: This is an excellent implementation of Shanghai. For a game to
have survived this long means it has lasting value, and Shanghai
certainly delivers in the play area. Graphics are also well done, with
the only disappointment of this cartridge being the mediocre sound,
which thank heaven you can turn off. A good strategy cartridge that
requires patience and careful thinking to complete.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.T.U.N. Runner       BY: Atari (PA2060)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 8 (8.4)  PROGRAM: Atari Games           COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: The player is a pilot of an ultra-fast tunnel traveling vehicle
 
HOW : STUN Runner is a faithful adaptation of the arcade (the author of
the arcade version has said on UseNet that he feels this it is an
excellent job). The player is propelled at high speeds down twisting
tunnels, some that enclose completely, some that are open with see
through scenery. Controls are simple: left, right, and fire. Some
travelers of the tunnels cannot be destroyed. Occasional helpful objects
such as speed boosters can be found, important in making time against
the ever ticking clock. Occasional not-so-helpful objects will be found
as well, such as hover craft that shoot at you and slow you down.
 
SOAPBOX: This is an _extremely_ fast game. One of the most enjoyable
aspects of the arcade version was the feeling of barely being in control
of the incredible speed of the vehicle,and that is well translated here.
Although the game is by nature repetitious, it has high replay value
because of increasingly difficult levels and different opponents
or obstacles. Sound quality is high as well, with some digitized speech,
so this is a good demonstration cartridge.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Super Skweek          BY: Atari (PA2100)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (N/A)  PROGRAM: Loriciel              COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Paint squares,rescue Skweekettes while avoiding monsters and traps
 
HOW : Skweek is viewed from overhead, with the C-pad as a directional
(no diagonals). Moving over squares (usually) paints them pink. A/B
fires - weapons can be found in many levels, and Skweek can always throw
coins. Much like Chips Challenge, there are also a variety of squares
that have a special purpose - ie lifting Skweek up, propelling him for-
ward, blowing him up (avoid these :-) ), etc etc. Special squares will
often be used to make a puzzle out of levels, with a time limit adding
to the fun. Each level has a different objective, determined by the
King Sqweek in the intro screen. Two player games (with Scrunch, Skweeks
pal) can be cooperative or competitive. There are 250 levels, with codes
available. Power-ups can also be purchased from shops in "in" tiles.
 
SOAPBOX: I guess the operative word here is supposed to be "cute".
Skweek is a funny enough character, and the controls and other ergonomic
features are well done, but this game didn't do much for me. Puzzle
levels aren't as "staged" as in Chips Challenge - you rarely conquer one
part, then move on to the next, because you spend too much time blasting
bad guys which requires lots of maneuvering around. There are a bunch of
levels, but not a huge variety of puzzle types.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toki                  BY: Atari (PA2066)        Players: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (8.0)  PROGRAM: D. Scot  Williamson   COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Rescue princess from evil wizard who has turned you into an ape
 
HOW : A typical side view scrolling jump and shoot.C-pad moves (no diag-
onals, you need vines to climb up/down), B fires (a bad breath weapon!)
and A jumps. Jumping on certain enemies gives bonus points but is risky.
Some monsters spit out coins when killed; 50 coins grants an extra life.
"Power-ups" include a football helmet (shield) and shoes (jump higher),
as well as various breath enhancements that last a short time. Certain
segments of the game are underwater, where Toki can breathe fine but
can't fire up or down. There are end level "bosses" which often require
some minimal strategy to kill, as well as larger than normal monsters
usually about half way through a level. There is no password option, but
Toki gets four lives and two continues. Monsters are not randomized, so
it is possible to develop patterns for the levels. It is possible but
often tricky to control the direction of fire, including diagonals.
 
SOAPBOX: It's a tribute from me that Toki gets a 7, because I really
really hate jump and shoots,especially ones where you have to rescue the
princess. Fans of the hard to find arcade version will be ecstatic with
this port. Graphics and sound are well done (listen to the sound through
headphones, don't trust the Lynx speaker to reproduce them) including
some digitized sounds here and there. Decent replay value, good cart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tournament Cyberball  BY: Atari (PA2038)        PLAYERS: 4   STEREO: No
RATING: 4 (4.1)  PROGRAM: Atari Games           COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Futuristic football with robot players
 
HOW : View is from above the field at an angle,allowing the width of the
field but not the entire length to be seen at once. Play is similar to
football, with basic running and passing plays. There are no downs as in
football, but the ball will get "hotter" unless a specific goal in terms
of yardage is reached; if it gets too hot it explodes.A quick time limit
forces fast play selection;emphasis is on thinking fast on your feet.The
player also controls one of the robots on the field,usually the quarter-
back at first and then a receiver/running back, or a chosen defensive
linerobot. Comlynxing results in several players cooperating on a team.
 
SOAPBOX: Although I played this occasionally in the arcade, I don't have
a solid feel for that version, so I can't tell if this is a good port or
not. It has poor control, especially when running the ball (I've never
been able to with much success) so I'm guessing this is not a great ver-
sion. Graphics are not great either, with the small bitmapped players
hard to see in the 3/4 overhead perspective. Sound is equally ho-hum.The
cooperative Comlynx feature sounds fun, but I haven't been able to find
anyone to try it, so someone feel free to contact me on how enjoyable it
is. As the rating says, I consider this a medium cart. Buy others first.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turbo Sub             BY: Atari (PA2047)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 6 (4.9)  PROGRAM: Ed Schneider          COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: The player pilots a underwater/air vehicle and blows things away
 
HOW : View is from within the cockpit of the Turbo Sub,a vehicle capable
of both flying and operating underwater, with the ability to dive or
surface at will. The distinction is more or less arbitrary, since the
objective is the same in either environment: shoot just about anything
you see. The c-pad is a standard directional, A fires an endless supply
of shots, and B unleashes the ever popular smart bomb, which the player
can collect more of over time. The horizon does not slant when turning,
but rather moves right to left or vice versa. Varying degrees of success
will lead to more points, which can be used to purchase armament at the
end of a level. Two player mode is basically a points competition.
 
SOAPBOX: TS is certainly fast paced and features some good graphics. If
you ever played Buck Rogers (the shoot 'em up) of some time ago, you've
got the basic idea. Move the display around and shoot everything, avoid
the immovable objects like pillars underwater.The idea of a sea monster
that could eat a submarine is kind of stretched, but it gives you more
things to obliterate. What TS is short on is replay value; especially if
you already own Blue Lightning, which is much the same game. Some nice
graphical touches (windshield wipers) make this a fun game to watch, but
I was bored after only a very few games.

-- 
Rich Lawrence - "Stinger" - DoD#9630 '92 Seca II - Buckaroo Banzai lives!
Sysop/Hallucination: Full UseNet,Fido,Relay, 2GB+ IBM/Amiga  1-703-425-5824
rich@halluc.com  rich@gtsi.com  {uunet,uupsi}!halluc!rich  uunet!gtsi!rich
LYNX reviews available!  CI$:71101,2272  GEnie:r.lawrence14  Fido:1:109/345


Article 33204 of rec.games.video:
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!ames!sun-barr!olivea!uunet!gtsi!rich
From: rich@gtsi.com (Richard Lawrence)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video,alt.games.lynx
Subject: Lynx reviews, part 3 of 3
Message-ID: <BpvJqn.46K@gtsi.com>
Date: 15 Jun 92 06:37:34 GMT
Organization: GTSI - Govt. Technology Services Inc.
Lines: 139
Xref: mentor.cc.purdue.edu rec.games.video:33204 alt.games.lynx:98

(continued)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viking Child          BY: Atari (PA2064)        PLAYERS: 1   STEREO: No
RATING: 5 (6.1)  PROGRAM: David Chiles          COMLYNX: No   BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Run about and hack enemies, jumping to and fro on platforms
 
HOW : The c-pad moves Brian (the main character) left and right. A hacks
his sword, B makes him jump.There are various hills and moving platforms
to jump on and off.Some special items can be bought with gold found when
killing monsters. The special items are mostly weapons, selected in
rotation by using Opt2 and activated by using Opt1. A password feature
exists to resume play after extended play time.
 
SOAPBOX: This is a very basic hack and slay. While the graphics are
fairly well done and expressive (Brian looks comical when he falls, and
the enemy critters are discernible but not believable as armed turtles,
etc) the sound is strictly second rate and seems like it has mostly been
recycled from Gauntlet III. You can only program Mario so many times,and
this game offers nothing new that I can see over any of the other
thousands in this genre. Don't be fooled by the neat map on the back;
this is not a thinking game, but a mindless one. Lots of hacking and
slaying, if that's your bag.
 
 
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warbirds              BY: Atari (PA2032)        PLAYERS: 4   STEREO: No
RATING: 9 (8.3)* PROGRAM: Robert Zdybel       COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Fly in a WWI rotary engine prop plane, shooting down enemies
 
HOW : View is from within the cockpit.Pressing down B allows the view to
be changed with the c-oad; you can look out either side, down at your
instrument panel, or out the back. Release B and the c-pad is a standard
directional. There is no throttle control, but Opt2 can be used to turn
the engine on and off which sometimes allows for tighter turns. A fires
a stream of bullets. Options can determine number of opponents, their
skill, amount of ammo, how damage is assessed, and where you start the
game relative to your enemies. You have the ability to land to rearm,but
you can be shot while helpless on the runway.Limited terrain (mountains)
exists and extensive clouds provide cover.
 
SOAPBOX: The * is a caveat about number of players. With four players,
Warbirds is a 10 and can't be equaled. With 2 it's a 9,and with 1 player
it can be an 8 or a 7 depending on who you are talking to. As a flight
simulator it isn't very impressive;but it's running on a small handheld,
after all. As a fun combat game it is great, with good graphics but poor
sound (the rat-a-tat of the machine guns is more of a beep-a-beep). Most
of the arguments about this game, however, seem to be whether it's a
must buy or a really really must buy.Either way,you need this cartridge.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xenophobe             BY: Atari (PA2026)        PLAYERS: 4   STEREO: Yes
RATING: 8 (7.4)  PROGRAM: Gil Colgate           COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: Yes
 
WHAT: Rid the space station of nasty phlegm spitting Xenos
 
HOW : Basically,this game is an early, unlicensed rip off of the concept
in Aliens. Luckily, it's a GOOD rip off! You (and possibly your friends)
are charged with the duty of cleaning up your space stations, which have
been infested with Xenos. You play one of many characters, each equipped
at the beginning of the game with a phasar (more powerful weapons can be
found). You get a side view of the station,with each segment coincident-
ally one Lynx screen wide.There are many segments to a level,many levels
to a station,and 23 stations in all.Translation:lots of aliens to blast.
C-pad left/right moves you in those directions, down makes you crouch
and crawl, up makes you stand up. A fires, and while firing you can
adjust the angle of your gun with the c-pad. B makes you jump, Opt1
throws bombs. A variety of aliens exist, including the nasty and hard to
kill Phester, who can be played by another player Comlynxed!
 
SOAPBOX: One of the good early games for the Lynx,this conversion proved
that you can capture the essence of an arcade classic in a hand held.
Multiplayer options are great, especially with a human playing Phester.
The game is hard solo; I have yet to make it to the Mother Phester
(anybody that has, e-mail me and tell me what it is like).
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xybots                BY: Atari (PA2062)        PLAYERS: 2   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (6.8)  PROGRAM: NuFX                  COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Eradicate the Xybots infesting a space station with your blaster
 
HOW : Xybots is another faithful arcade port. View is more or less first
person, although you can see yourself directly in front of your view.You
are in a maze full of Xybots, killer robots, and you must destroy them
with your blaster. You have a limited amount of energy, and loose it by
getting shot, using your "zap" (more powerful shot), or just by sitting
around. You may find energy boosts and keys to short cuts to help you on
your way. A fires your regular blast, Opt1 fires a "zap", and Opt2 shows
you an overhead map of the maze. The c-pad moves. Pressing B and c-pad
right or left will turn you in that direction,since you can have enemies
on all four sides.You can move while the map is displayed, but it's not
a smart thing to do. You can also pick up coins, used at vending
machines between levels to purchase various ability enhancements.
 
SOAPBOX: I never saw the attraction of this game, so I wasn't really
jumping up and down about the Lynx version. It's a good job though;
graphics are fine and speed is no problem. It may be too easy -the first
time I played I made it to level 16 and killed a Master Xybot on the
way. You wouldn't be able to do that in the arcades, certainly. Two
player Comlynx is fun but makes the game even more easy.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zarlor Mercenary      BY: Atari (PA Atari       PLAYERS: 4   STEREO: No
RATING: 7 (7.6)  PROGRAM: C. Sommerville        COMLYNX: Yes  BLINK: No
 
WHAT: Shoot everything. I mean EVERYTHING.
 
HOW : An overhead view scrolling shooter, with the screen scrolling from
top to bottom.The c-pad moves your ship, A fires missiles, and B fires a
laser (which will always shoot at something airborne, doesn't have to be
aimed).The best arrangement seems to be holding the middle of your thumb
down over A, and using the tip to push B when something is on the screen
for the laser, since the laser doesn't auto repeat. This game resembles
in play Gates of Zendocon, and has much the same frentic action and
approach - a wide variety of enemies, a large number of options to
help you blast them, and lots and lots of explosions on the screen.There
are too many enemies and assistance options to list here; you name it,
this game has got it. Destroying enemies and completing levels gives you
money, which you can then use to purchase enhancements for your ship.
 
SOAPBOX: Well, this game will make your thumb tired. It's pretty hard
solo, but with four players I imagine it would be pretty easy. There's
not much to be said to it because there is no depth - it doesn't profess
to be a thinking game, and it isn't. As the manual says - "Shoot
everything that moves. Shoot everything that doesn't move". Pretty much
sums it up. Good graphics. No hidden games that I can find :-(, but you
do get to shoot people as they flee destroyed buildings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- 
Rich Lawrence - "Stinger" - DoD#9630 '92 Seca II - Buckaroo Banzai lives!
Sysop/Hallucination: Full UseNet,Fido,Relay, 2GB+ IBM/Amiga  1-703-425-5824
rich@halluc.com  rich@gtsi.com  {uunet,uupsi}!halluc!rich  uunet!gtsi!rich
LYNX reviews available!  CI$:71101,2272  GEnie:r.lawrence14  Fido:1:109/345


