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Bug Eyes (Icon) (BBC Model B)

Great graphics, fun game

Reviewed By Phil Tudor In The Micro User 3.09

According to Bug Eyes, a new release from Icon Software, things are looking pretty desperate...

The enemy spacecraft is closing in on Earth, the one civilised planet standing between the Bug Eyes and Galactic rule. The call goes out for Agent Starman. Only he can board the alien spacecraft, penetrate the 10 well-guarded levels and destroy the master generator to save the Earth.

Sounds fun and it certainly is. You control Agent Starman and it's up to you to complete the ten screens. The screens them selves are in the Manic Miner vein, though you don't have to jump - only move left and right.

The game is in Mode 1 and consequently the graphics are truly astounding.

The sprite definitions such as the chubby Starman - complete with paunch - the various bright-eyed nasties and the lifts going up and down are quite beautiful. I'm impressed.

This is combined with smooth animation to provide an almost cartoon-like effect.

Enough of graphics. The sound is adequate, consisting mainly of blips, zips and thuds as our hero runs and falls about the screen.

Yet another nice touch is the choice of playing keys at the beginning. Although, with only two keys you can't go far wrong.

The screens are imaginatively named with such gems as Squidged Flat, where you must complete the screen before a rather heavy column falls to the ground.

The quicker you finish a screen, the more points you score, so it pays to keep your wits about you.

To sum it all up. it's a fun game to suit all ages with plenty of amusing cartoon-like graphics. A winner.

BUG EYES is another very well executed platform-type game with a variety of floating nasties, pumping machinery and less than solid flooring to catch you out as you try to complete the screens.

Timing, subtle key manipulation and patience are prime requisites for a game like this, and with plenty of the latter you will eventually win through.

The sprite movements in BUG EYES are very smooth and the graphics in general pleasing to the eye. The sound effects are less inspired, boring even.

The scenario brings you, agent Starman, to the ten levels of the starship/meteorite of the Xxebaneans. They are out to destroy earth and all intelligent life on it so you have to make your way to the generator room to put a stop to all this nastiness.

As you make your way through each screen trying to avoid the Stampy Stompers and other notorious bugs a bonus score counts down. So as you improve your performance and catch on to the correct routes through the screens, your bonuses go up. There is also the temptation to push it just too far.

No complaints about the programming then, nice 3D text and computer character sets and the stars scrolling behind the instructions on the opening page are very nice. Just a bit lacking in that extra flair which usually characterises Icon games. Perhaps watch out for CONTRAPTION and FLIP! in the next month's issue.