Jet Set Willy

Memory: 48K
Price: £5.95
Joystick: AGF, Protek, Kempston, ZX, Soundstik

Manic Miner was one of last year's classic Spectrum games and now programmer Matthew Smith has brought Willy back again in an equally zany sequel, Jet Set Willy. Willy is living the decadent life after striking it rich down the mine but his housekeeper revolts after one party too many and will not let Willy go to bed until he has cleared all the mess.

So you have to guide the debauched playboy round his enormous mansion full of lethal traps and the strange blend of domestic and diabolic mayhem we might expect from Smith on previous form.

It is worth the initial trouble. The graphics are clear, fast-moving, and varied, depicting ghosts, mad monks and animated toilet seats with equal smoothness and precision. Tactics need to be varied as well; only quick reactions will save you from the predatory security guards, whereas forethought is required to negotiate your way through the hazards of the giant Megatree or the unspeakable menace in the kitchens.

Software Projects offers a case of champagne to the first person to solve the game.

An instant, and not unexpected, success which closely followed on the heels of the classic Manic Miner. Willy the miner has retired and taken to a life of drunken debauchery. His housekeeper, Maria, will not let him get to bed until he has cleared up the bottles and glasses lying around the house.

The arcade-style graphics, the number of rooms and the strange creatures which inhabit them ensure Jet Set Willy a place in the history of arcade gaming. The game is also notable for the colour code system employed to combat piracy - with, unfortunately, limited success.

Position 5/50

SOFTWARE SCENE

While some software houses are taking the Spectrum to its limits and beyond others doggedly continue to churn out ever more diabolical pieces of programmed junk. John Gilbert present a personal pick of the bunch, and Chris Bourne take an irreverent look at the dwindling ZX-81 software scene. Their talents are combinedd in listing the Top Ten Turkeys of 1984. Let the reader be warned.

SPECTRUM SOFTWARE

A cynic may argue that development within the software market in 1984 was non-existent. The same type of game appeared as those which took the lead in 1983, the most popular being of the arcade variety. The programs were written in the same style and to please the same type of customers.

That is only a superficial view, however, and if you look at the games market as a whole, dividing it up into sectors such as strategy, arcade and adventure, you will see that substantial and sophisticated changes have taken place. Despite what some pundits have said you will find that the world of computer games is still buzzing with life.

£5.95
Software Projects

A number of cult games sprang up during the year. The biggest was the Manic Miner sequel, Jet Set Willy.

Manic Miner was one of last year's classic Spectrum games and programmer Matthew Smith brought Willy back again in an equally zany sequel.

Willy is living the decadent life after striking it rich down the mine but his housekeeper revolts after one party too many and will not let Willy go to bed until he has cleared all the mess.

You have to guide the debauched playboy round his enormous mansion full of lethal traps and a strange blend of domestic and diabolic mayhem.

It is worth the initial trouble. The graphics are clear, fast-moving, and varied, depicting ghosts, mad monks and animated toilet seats with equal smoothness and precision. Tactics need to be varied as well; only quick reactions will save you from the predatory security guards, whereas forethought is required to negotiate your way through the hazards of the giant Metatree or the unspeakable menace in the kitchens.