But now that the comparison of Exploding Fist is done, the next logical step (if such logic exists) would be an Epyx game, but I didn't want to write about any of the other sport games quite yet, nor about Impossible Mission, because I've never really understood it, and there are just too many versions to bother with it. Since restarting the comparison blog in late 2019, I've been trying to avoid writing about games that are bound to be heavy work for a comparison. Published for Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, IBM-PC compatibles, MSX and Sinclair ZX Spectrum by Epyx for the North American market, and U.S. Sinclair ZX Spectrum version written by Steve Marsden and David Cooke. but any initial enthusiasm doesn't last.Ī technically compotent racing sim spoilt by incredibly laborious gameplay and a total lack of variety.Programming by Paul Nickels, Joe Simko, Ed Schoenberg, Steve Thomas and K-Byte The idea captures your interest at first. The pre-race shots are pretty neat.įront-end ditty plus typical engine drone. Neatly designed four-wheelers rev up against bland and boring backdrops. Loads of easy-to-use options - an off-road racer's dream. Forget about excitement and breathtaking action: the only sharp intake of breath that this simulation could give rise to is a snore. I ended up using the wrong tyres and crashing on purpose just for a bit of variety. For a start all the landscapes, from desert to mud-flat, look virtually the same: I can ony assume that all the other racers have rushed off to consult an optician in response to this, because hardly any of them are actually on the track. It's just that once you've gone cross-eyed trying to decipher the instruction sheet and picked all your extras there isn't that much to it. I bet you're all thinking, 'It's an Epyx game so the presentation's got to be good'. Once again the advice is to stick to well-tried race games like Buggy Boy and Pitstop II. This, coupled with the very poor sound don't induce much wish to play the game, and even the most hardened race fans won't be too enthralled. The definition of the cars and other objects isn't too good either, as they're blocky and poorly coloured. The 3D isn't too convincing as there are only a few landscape features to give any effect of perspective. Epyx have tried to put a few Buggy Boy tricks into 4x4, such as the rolls and two-wheel driving, but unfortunately it hasn't worked too well. The strategic elements are quite well thought out and presented, but the racing sections are. The title instantly tells you that this game is trying to emulate the classic Buggy Boy with a few additions to jazz it up. Login or Register at the forums if you want to be able to edit your comments Has it agedīadly or is it still worth a few plays? Read other peoples thoughts and post your own.Ĭheck out the most recent ZzapBack comments. In the spirit of ZzapBack, you can have your say about how the game reviewed above, stands up in the cold light of today. And if that isn't worth working for, what is? Make it to the finishing line without losing all three of your rigs, getting zapped by the Doombuggy or running out of fuel, and you might just get a foot in the Hall of Fame. Thelonger you stop the more chance there is of other cars passing you. (You did remember to bring the right parts - didn't you?)Ĭheckpoints, dotted along the length of each track, are opportunities for repair and refuelling. If your vehicle becomes unroadworthy or gets stuck, it stops automatically for repairs. Symbols on the dashboard give a colour-coded indication of damage sustained by various engine parts. The race itself has you braving the elements, avoiding obstacles, driving through bogs and negotiating rivers. Here you can blow all your money on spare parts, fuel, mechanics and extra tyres (not necessary if you look like Gordo) or play safe and just spend a bit. Time for a saunter down to the local auto mart and custom shop. Having chosen a course from four different types of terrain (boggy Georgia mud-flats, two desert tracks or a Michigan winter landscape), you select one of four freaky four-wheelers for the race (try saying that 44 times after a lager shandy.) Ah, life on the open road! If you've always fancied yourself as a cross-country driver, with oil on your hands, grease in your hair and a tiger in your tank, get your gear and get ready to roll.
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