★ AMSTRAD CPC ★ SOFTOGRAPHIE ★ COMPANY ★ COMPASS SOFTWARE ★ |
| Games - Company | Compass Software |
Jon Lemmon is the brains behind Compass Software, one of the most prolific producers of homemade adventure games. It all began in 1984 with Compass's best known adventure - Project X - The Microman. Written in conjunction with T. Kemp, Project X tells the story of you, Professor Neil Richards and your quest to be normal again. Prof. Richards is a well known specialist in the field of minaturization, and it was during one of his experiments that he received a massive dose of X-Gamma radiation. Knowing the dangers of this, he set off to find his colleague who he knew could help him. However, in his haste, Prof. Richards crashed his car and as he regains consciousness, you take over. The problem is - you're only 3 inches tall! Featured on the global 'Fourmost' adventure compilation, Project X has achieved wide acclaim, and for the author's first commercial release, it really is pretty good. It contains a few slightly illogical problems but, by use of examine and help, these can be overcome. One last thing - watch out for the neat twist when you finally do complete the game. After a gap of two years, Compass bounced back in late 1986 with what I regard as their best yet -Demon from the Darkside. Written by Jon himself, we meet Morrack, a wizard's apprentice for the first time in this fantasy adventure. The land of Valonia is in a bad state, Drakon - the local bad guy has got hold of the Falcon Staff, an object which gives him massive power, and although your master, Ashmeard, has defeated him once, he has returned and is even more powerful than before. Ashmeard now lies apparently dead, and you, with your limited knowledge of magic, are Valonia's only chance - are you up to the task at hand? Darkside is an absolute cracker of a game containing some pretty graphics, and more importantly, logical problems. It is no walkover, and it kept me entertained for many a night before I completed it. If you should only play one Compass game this year, pick this, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Next in line is the O Zone, released earlier this year and the sequel to Project X. You play the part of Agent 37, with the task of rescuing Prof. Richards and his secret Project X papers. These papers lay out detailed plans of a new missile which, when launched and detonated, destroys the earth's Ozone layer, thus, allowing harmful ultra-violet rays to strike the earth killing all life. This game is definitely Compass's easiest, any experienced adventure should complete it in about a week or less, the only real sticking point comes near the end. But I'll leave you to find that out for yourself. Still, although a bit simple, O Zone is a good game and is just the perfect game for an arcade player wanting to enjoy adventuring. As well as the normal quill, patch and illustrator used in all Compass games, the O Zone also uses a new utility - the Press, this compresses the text allowing the author to put more into the game. The extra memory gained has been put to good use improving the vocabulary and graphics. So, overall a nice, if simple game, just the perfect introduction to adventuring.
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