Double Gold Is Incentive's label for packages with two adventures on one cassette. The only thing the games have In common Is that they ahve all been written using Incentive's Graphic Adventure Creator. Here I look at two recently released Double Gold cassettes for the Amstrad: Top Secret plus Mountains of Kat. and Sharpe's Deeds plus The Black fountain. Other versions will follow If these adventures prove to be a success on Amstrad. TOP SECRET As an ace reporter, you are approached by a Government "mole" about a new weapons system on which you have been working, and which is likely to change the world's balance of power. You are asked to enter the top secret military establishment, and expose the story.
Having agreed and knowing the approximate location of the underground complex, you set off into the countryside. It is now a matter of finding one of the two entrances, and getting In unobserved. Not so easy, for a likely route through a drainage tunnel leads to a gassy death, or alternatively, death by mauling dogs. Of course, there could be a way round this....
Taking another route leads you to the nearby farm, and this Is where total frustration with the gome sets In. A coat Is hanging on the line In the back garden, but GET COAT merely provoked the program to tell me I couldn't, with no hint, even after examining both coat and line, as to why.
Perhaps, then, I wasnt yet In
the back garden? So I entered the back garden, and the police Immediately arrested me as a thief — they had been called In by the farmer.
Not very Inspiring to play, despite the possibilities that such a topical scenario had to offer.
Coming with Mountains of Ket. that golden oldie in Illustrated GAC form. Is the saving grace In terms of value, for this package. SHARPED DEEDS Your great- uncle has died. and. a much travelled collector ot artifacts, he left them all to you In his will, provided you spend a night in the village ot Stopley.
It Is not long before you are reading a note conveyed to you by the solicitor executing his will: "A dozen treasures and deeds you'll need. 'Ere as my heir you can succeed."
A ring of familiarity, perhaps, In the plot, but then this game Is completely different from anything Inlocom ever did.
With this In mind you set out to explore the village — with a -Hello, old man: Momin', baker! God bless, vicar!' and all that, as you wander around collecting objects likely to help you In your quest.
This Is a graphic adventure. although not all the locations have a picture. On the whole, the Indoor pictures are rather drab, whilst when out ol doors, the graphics tend to complement the rustic atmosphere, which comes over nicety.
Not a difficult adventure, and with an adequate vocabulary, Sharpe's Deeds should help pass a lew pleasant hours. THE BLACK FOUNTAIN On the planet Areth, you are Shardor, a humble servant. Your three older brothers have gone on a mission to Investigate a fountain ot black water, made by the evil eccentric Abhaldos. which is polluting the rivers.
Not having any faith in the abilities ot your brothers, you plead with the High Chancellor to be given leave to tollow after them, and help with their mission.
Fist there is the Court to explore, for othr than the tunic which you are wearing, and a scroll authorising you as a court official, you are empty handed. Then. it's out Into the big wide world, always assuming you can open the gate!
Next! the search seems to be for money, or else you're not going to get any of that real ale which fcusto. down at the
brewery, makes. Huddled around the town hall square are a group ot buildings, and alien Is the last thing they seem — in fact, they have more of a Roman air about them.
Atmosphere apart, this Is another reasonable and light-hearted adventure, that goes well with Its cassette-mate.
More Gold packages are planned by Incentive, and it they are all up to this standard they'll be well worth checking out. John, Computer & Video Games - Issue #72 (1987)
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