Producer: Beyond
Memory Required: 48K
Retail Price: £9.95
Language: Machine code
Author: Denton Designs

The distinction between adventure and arcade has definitely taken a battering recently, and Shadowfire is going to worsen the situation! Denton Designs have here devised and designed an entirely novel game which uses icons instead of text and thus brings the adventure right into the arcade player's lap.

Shadowfire is a new kind of starship capable of jumping from planet to planet orbit, and is therefore a rather powerful weapon. The plans for this new ship are on a microdisc embedded in the spine of Ambassador Kryxix who, sadly, has been captured by General Zoff, a traitor to the Empire, and is held captive on Zoff's ship, the Zoff5. It is only a matter of time (100 minutes in fact) before Zoff's interrogation team discover the plans for Shadowfire which will put Zoff in a position to rule the Empire.

Enigma is an organisation dedicated to the Emperor's service, a mix of heroes, criminal scum and cybernetic engineering. They are the only people who have a chance of getting on board Zoff's ship, rescuing Ambassador Kryxix, capturing Zoff and either taking or destroying the Zoff5. The game is played against the clock in real-time with you controlling the Enigma Team.

There are six members in the team. The leader, Zark Montor is a human, Syylk is an insectoid, a ruthless fighter who has a pathological hatred for Zoff (a weakness perhaps?), Sevrina Maris is a female human with a criminal record and a specialist in picking locks - she tends to be loyal only to herself (a problem), Torik is a bird-like creature, a gun runner and freebooter - good with explosives and due to his flying abilities, the fastest mover and a good scout, Maul is a weapons droid designed to carry many different weapons systems, slow moving but well protected, and finally there is Manto, a transport droid with very little self protection capability.

Shadowfire has strong elements of strategy because handling the characters well depends very much on utilising their best strengths at the right time and minimising the effects of any weaknesses they may exhibit. Strategy also comes into the way the characters are moved about the Zoff5 once they are on board, using Torik as a scout, but remembering that he is vulnerable to attack, using Sevrina to get through locked doors and Zark or Syylk where tough action is demanded.

The screen display is complicated - a better idea of the interrelation may be got from looking at the various screen pictures on these pages than from the written word. Basically there are five main screens, each broken up into sections. The Team screen displays a graphic of the six characters and it is here that a character to control is selected. The Status Screen displays the attributes of the selected character, with icons indicating agility (movement possible), strength, stamina and weight carried. Green bars indicate the amount of attribute. The Objects Screen allows manipulation of weapons and equipment; there are three subscreens which show objects in the same location as the selected character, a middle screen shows objects carried, and one on the right contains the icons by which the objects may be manipulated. The Movement Screen also has three subscreens, the largest contains arrows for the eight directions with filled-in arrows representing possible directions for that location. The middle screen informs you of the character's present location, and the right contains icons for changing screen. The Battle Screen's three subscreens show characters in the same location including friend and foe, an eight-directional compass in the middle and at the right a series of activating icons which allow attack with a selected weapon. The three attack icons command a character to do battle and if successful advance into the enemy's location; stand fast and do battle; or retire to a safer location. Some weapons are useful when used within the same location, while others may be fired into an adjacent location - all of which calls into question the strategical role of the weapons used, forcing the player to ensure that characters are suitably armed or near a supply of interchangeable weapons.

The entire game may be joystick driven. The cursor is placed over an action icon like 'pick up' or 'drop' which is activated using the fire button, then moved to the object icon desired. All the various main screens are accompanied by a top set of three screens, the left showing the status of all six characters (see screen picture captions), the centre showing a map of the selected location, and the right showing a large picture of the selected character. An information 'printout' panel displays text which is of use to the player. On each screen a set of coloured monitors allow movement between the various screens (see pictures).

COMMENTS

Control keys: up/down 2nd row/3rd row, left/right alternate bottom row, fire, any key top row
Joystick: Kempston, Sinclair 2, Cursor type, Fuller
Keyboard play: simple and very responsive
Use of colour: brilliant
Graphics: stunning
Sound: a bit limited
Screens: an endless supply
Special features: Icon driven - and the Spectrum and CBM64 versions come on one cassette

Shadowfire is a very difficult game to describe or put into any category, perhaps the best thing to say is that it's brilliant. At first the icons seem a bit daunting but after some practice they are really simple to use. The graphics are good especially those in the character screen (incidentally the graphics on the Spectrum are much clearer than those of the CBM 64). The game is quite tough to play and will take some time before it is totally mastered. What makes it extra special is the fact that each character has its own peculiar abilities so making each one play an important role in the success of your mission. Strategy, as in Lord of Midnight, is important in Shadowfire. It is best just to play a few games to familiarise yourself with the general surroundings of the ship before you seriously contemplate completing the game. Looking at the CBM 64 version and the Spectrum version I would say that the Spectrum version is superior having clearer graphics (not mucked up by too much colour like the CBM) and it is a harder game to play. Overall Shadowfire is an excellent game which will appeal to almost anyone, especially people who liked Lords of Midnight or Alien.

Having six characters to control is good, because in a way it gives you six lives, yet you have to treat them as a team to succeed at all. On the other hand it also means having to take care of all six, which can be a bit involving at times, and has you dashing between characters with the joystick. There is a lot of on-screen information - very good - and the graphics are superb. Shadowfire is a complex game which will take some time to play right through, especially as it takes a while to get the hang of the icons and how to use them quickly, but I think it will have a wide appeal.

When I start on a game like this, I like to know that there is a strongly worked out background, because involvement with the characters and their aims seems important. Just reading the accompanying colour instruction book is enough to let the player know that details are all worked out, present and correct. Indeed, as the game progresses (or games!), you begin to know the characters under your control quite well, each with an independent attitude to the tasks in hand. This takes Shadowfire well into the realms of strategy and role-playing. In looks, this game is simply stunning. The fluency of the graphics and the way the screens 'iris in' and 'iris out' is slick and effective. Special mention must be made of the character screens, which are wonderful, detailing each person or thing in great detail. Icon control may be new to computer games, but as a control method it must surely be here to stay, and its use, plus the game design, the characterisation, the skills required and the extraordinary graphics all add up to Shadowfire being state of the art without doubt.

Light the blue touch paper and stand back for... Shadowfire, the new firework from Beyond. It's a real-time adventure without words - you have just 100 minutes to board the enemy's space ship, rescue the hostaged ambassador, capture General Zoff, the enemy leader, and then destroy his ship. And all without typing so much as one piece of text. So, the YS fire brigade of Ross Holman and Steve Malone prepared to play with fire...

Steve: Four minutes in, and we still haven't decided who goes where yet I'm gonna choose Manto, as he can use the transporter. I think we should beam down just two or three.

Ross: I Just hope you've fully armed them all before sending them to the ship. I'd take Sevrina, Maul and Zork to clear the way - but I'm not holding the Joystick so anything could happen!

Steve: It's all very well going for the monkey, but don't you think we should be after the organ grinder? The Ambassador ain't here and we're just wasting precious time.

Ross: It's not a waste of time - if we're going to crack this we've got to explore everywhere. Look, we've found the master pass-card here that'll give us access to all the locked doors on the ship.

Steve: We're very close to the robot armoury here so we can stock up on weapons. As soon as Sevrina opens the door let's start legging it...

Ross: For once I agree with you! This is a tricky spot but if we move in enough fire power we can wipe the floor with this bunch. But we'll have to put a spurt on before they regroup.

Steve: Didn't I say we should've brought Torik, the explosives expert along? We've found the self-destruct but we can't trigger it and we can't pick it up. Any more bright ideas?

Ross: Just shows what you know. We don't need to pick it up - all we have to do is collect the self-destruct card from Zoff's office and then any character can set it off. So there!

Steve: What d'you mean you re not gonna take the grenades? They're just the business for battles at close Quarters. Mark my words, we'll never get out of the Security section alive without them.

Ross: That rocket launcher's worth any number of your puny grenades - just look at how heavy it is! If we're going to get into Zoff's office we'll need all the fire power we can muster.

Steve: This is another fine mess you've got me into. If we'd only done it my way, we wouldn't have ended up with forty minutes left on the clock and nowhere to go. Aaargh!

Ross: Don't you start blaming me. We did do it your way. There's a first and last time for everything and this is the first and last time I play this game with you. Humph!

Publisher: Beyond
Price: £9.95
Memory: 48K
Joystick: Sinclair, Kempston, Protek

Text adventures may soon become a thing of the past if Beyond Software has its way.

Shadowfire is an icon-driven strategic adventure - the first ever on the Spectrum - where commands are issued through pictures and text is obsolete.

You join Enigma - a fierce and independent fighting force - whose mission is to storm the planet Zoff V and free Ambassador Kryxix. Once on Zoff V, Enigma has to search through the maze of corridors, fighting General Zoffs guards, locate the ambassador and transport him to safety.

Each member of the team is controlled individually - Zark, Syylk, Sevrina, Torik, Maul and Manto and each has its own skills, strengths and weak- nesses. Those will need to be coordinated and decisions made accordingly. Sevrina is a lock picker and her skills will be needed on Zoff V - therefore she should be given a tool kit from the weapons screen.

You start with a screen depicting all six characters, each portrayed in a different colour to help identification - although on this first screen the graphics are so clear that each is instantly recognisable. Having selected the character you want to move with a cursor, you then switch to the weapons screen to equip each with some mind blowing secret weapon.

The icons are many and varied. Each has a separate function and is selected with a scrolling cursor. Move the cursor to the function you want a character to perform - pick up - then along to a laser gun; press enter and that character will receive that weapon.

Each order is performed in a similar manner throughout the game. Some confusion may arise as certain pictures are not clear. However, referring to the comprehensive illustrated booklet should solve any such problems.

The graphics deserve a mention. For the most part, they are clearly depicted and colourful though, unfortunately, their small size tends to make definition hard. Each screen is divided into a number of boxes, all containing control icons. The screen showing Zoff V and your route to Kryxix is almost lost in the top middle section. It is a pity that this space has been sacrificed to give more attention to the controls.

You are given 100 minutes to complete Shadowfire and a real time clock ticks away the seconds. However it will take considerably longer to learn the game, especially if you keep breaking out of it by mistake. It is very easy to exit by accident. Accidental pressure on Enter when you go back to choose another character will take you straight back to the menu. It always seems to happen at some vital point of the game and is enough to turn you to drink.

Shadowfire is excellent value considering the programming expertise which has gone into the game. If you want a quick load-it-up and shoot-it-down then don't waste your money. However, if you want a fast and innovative game which may well take weeks to complete - buy it.

Spectrum, £9.95cs
C64/128, £9.95cs, £11.95dk
Amstrad, £9.95cs, £14.95dk

This strategy game was one of the first icon-driven strategy games and is still one of the best. The player takes charge of six characters collectively known as the Enigma Force, and uses them in an attempt to rescue the ambassador Kryxix who is being held on board the spaceship Zoff 5 by that scoundrel General Zoff.

Each character is ordered separately by means of icons from various menus that can be called up. i.e. the battle menu allows the player to choose to attack, defend, retreat etc and the movement icon lets the player decide in which direction the character should move. The various characters all have different characteristics that are peculiar to them and the player has to use each team member's special ability at key points in the game in order to survive. Played against a very tough time limit, Shadowfire requires the player to react swiftly under pressure and employ all his tactical ability. A great game to play that is a real challenge. It is a pity that the sequel, Enigma Force, is a completely different sort of game which is not as half as enjoyable as Shadowfire.

PRICE: £9.95
GAME TYPE: Icon Adventure

Beyond have taken the traditional text adventure, smashed it to pieces, thrown it on the scrapheap and put something radically different in its place. Shadowfire is a completely text free adventure, allowing quicker decisions, faster movement and more action than ever before.

You control six characters, of varying strengths and capabilities, who must work as a team to board the spaceship Zoff V, locate and rescue the captured Ambassador Kryxix, capture the evil General Zoff and then capture or destroy the entire spaceship. In case you find all this slightly too easy for your taste, you have only an hour and forty minutes in which to accomplish these tasks.

First impression of Shadowfire is of a complex, unapproachable game. Using no text in the game has meant that the instruction manual is difficult to follow, especially without the game in front of you. With as many as thirty images on scree at one time, it is essential to understand all of them to be able to progress with the game.

The game is played by the use of icons. For example, to enter battle, you would select the picture of the character you want to move, select the attack icon, pick out the direction in which they should attack, and leave them to it. As with all good adventures, the sequence of events is logical. You must remember to pick up a gun before you attack anyone, and you must remember to choose which of your weapons you are going to use before you lurch blindly at someone.

Strategy is very important in the game. There is no need to use all the characters together, and you must always bear in mind the different capabilities of each character. It is important to make a map, and it is also important to make the best possible use of the objects you collect.

The use of icons rather than text means that events can move very quickly, and the important decisions can require split second reactions. With less than two hours to complete your mission, it is useless to hang around in safe corners for too long, you must keep on the move.

The initial panic caused by complicated instructions is quite unjustified, for the icons are, in practice, far more easy to use than the restricted and specialist vocabulary required by most adventures. If you are stuck in Shadowfire it is because you are not thinking on your feet, not because the program's vocabulary is inadequate for your needs.

Shadowfire beats traditional adventure, strategy and war programs at their own game. The plot is strong, the graphics excellent and the possibilities endless.

Shadowfire is produced for the 48K Spectrum by Beyond, Lector Court, 151 Farringdon Road, London EC1.

CBM/Spectrum
Beyond
Adventure
£9.95

In this adventure your quest is to transport your crack and deadly - why can't they be bungling and harmless for a change - team onto the enemy spaceship. Once there, you have to fight your way through the corridors to rescue Ambassador Kryxix.

All this in 100 minutes of real time before the Ambassador cracks under interrogation and tells the bad guys Prince Phillip's Prestel mailbox number. There are six members of your party, each of which have particular strengths and weaknesses. There are various characters around to fight off, doors to open and things like the self destruction mechanism of the ship left lying around.

Beyond
£9.95

Well, we've seen text, multiple choice, graphic, animated, Filmation, and all the combinations of each but this is the first ICON driven adventure to date.

Icons are little pictures which represent objects or actions and has been used for business software on the larger machines for some time now. Control of the game is simplified to five keys or a joystick and quite complex instructions can be entered by this means, however, as with all things worthwhile, some time has to be spent learning to use the system. Beyond make this relatively painless with their colourful and welt produced manual.

The task you are set is to rescue Ambassador Kyrxix who has the secret plans for a revolutionary starship called Shadowfire, capture General Zoff, the baddie, who is holding Kyrxix captive aboard his skyfortress Zoff V which you must also capture or destroy.

A doddle? Well, not really, you only have 100 minutes to do the lot! Still, you do have control of all six weird, wonderful and talented members of the Enigma team.

But back to the icon system. To give an example, use the joystick to select a character by moving the cursor to him/her/it, and press fire. That character's personal details are then shown on screen. Move the cursor to the "pick up" icon and select, move the cursor to an object, press fire and the object will have been picked up by that character. His possessions table will show the extra object and his agility, stamina and strength will be affected accordingly. Operations are as simple as that, the game itself is very complex.

Beyond recommend that you read the manual briefly, I recommend you read it in detail and very carefully. Brilliant!

In 1985 the fine lines dividing adventure from arcade games became so blurred as to be redundant. Shadowfire dealt a mortal blow with its icon-driven strategic approach, doing away with text input altogether.

That had its drawbacks - one of which was the need for an extensive instruction booklet - but once grasped the system is remarkably easy to use. You control the six members of the Enigma force whose mission is to attack the guards of Zoff V and rescue Ambassador Kryxix.

An innovative game, Shadowfire has been further enhanced with the Shadowfire Tuner utility which enables you to create new scenarios, with the odds stacked for or against you.