ZX Computings - OpenLibra

If I had to choose just one program
to impress an audience
with the capabilities of the
ZX81, then J K Greye's "3-D
Monster Maze" would be the
one without a doubt. Written
mainly in machine code, this
9ViK game includes graphics
which had me checking that the
program was really being run on
a ZX81, rather than one of the
micros that measure their price,
as well as their memory, in Ks.
The impressive features of
this program start even before
the game itself begins. A
cleverly-drawn clown announces
the instructions which
scroll up the right-hand side of
the screen. The clown even
doffs his hat (although I must
admit that at first I thought his
head had fallen off, even these
graphics have some limitations).
Any program which can liven
up the presentation of the instructions
has to have a lot going
for it.
The ZX81 goes into FAST
mode to set up the maze, and
when it is complete, you are
given an excellent 3-D
representation. All walls are
shaded and passages to the left
and right can be seen clearly
quite a way ahead. Keys 5, 7
and 8 are used to turn left, go
forward and turn right, and the
104
Software
Down
in the
Depths
Phil Garratt takes the plunge
with J K Creye's U 3-D Monster
Maze".
response is instantaneous.
There is a real sense of motion
through the maze if you keep
your finger on 'forward'. Having
played a couple of very slow
3-D mazes written in BASIC,
this program would have been
streets ahead . . .if it wasn't
for Rex,
Rex is the unfriendly
neighbourhood dinosaur who
inhabits the maze. You only
score points when he is chasing
SCGRSE
5.3
SCORc
105
you... or when you find the
exit... so this is no game for
the faint-hearted. You are told if
he is getting close, although if
you're lucky (?) you'll see him
lumbering towards you, getting
bigger and bigger, the jaws
opening wider and wider. Even
after playing the game many
times, the sight of him still
makes me jump. Truly the stuff
of nightmares. The graphics are
incredible and I found I had to
copy the screen to a printer to
prove to myself that these
amazing pictures were made up
from the standard Sinclair
character set.
So the graphics are great,
but how good is it as a game?
I'm pleased to be able to say
that it is very good indeed.
There is on-screen scoring as
you move around, plus bonus
points if you find the exit, which
involves yet more graphics effects.
The exit is a moving
kaleidoscope of letters and
symbols which grows as you
approach it. But beware of
being hypnotised by it, as Rex is
always close by to wake you
up.
If you find the exit, a new
maze is created and your score
is carried forward. If you do
happen to end up in Tyranno's
tummy, you get the opportunity
to start again with the same
maze, so you can build up your
chances of escape.
With such a professional
standard of presentation maintained
throughout the program,
it deserves to do very well indeed.
I certainly haven't seen
anything like it before, but I
hope it is just the start of
'realistic' graphics games for
the ZX81. "3-D Monster
Maze" is E5.95.
J i i i f i s
SCORE
75
YOU
HRUE
ELUDED
HIM
RND
SCORED
POINT S
REX IS
UERY
RNGRY.
YOU,LL
NEED
MORE
LUCK
THIS
TIHE .
ZX COMPUTING SUMMER 1982