Producer: Softek
Memory Required: 16K
Retail Price: £6.95
Language: Machine code

This month's reviews include two major software houses releasing old arcade games, already well covered by existing Spectrum versions. The other is Bug-Byte's Cavern Fighter, and this one is Softek's Starblitz - a 'Defender' game. in both cases the results are excellent and go to show that a game need not be worn out if a really good improvement comes along.

In a 'Defender' game you control an attacking craft which travels over the surface of a planet avoiding the alien craft, some of which fire mines at you, others which grab humanoids from the ground. You score points for rescuing humans. The ultimate aim is to destroy an alien base in some versions, in others it's merely to survive. The landscape scrolls continuously as you fly along, and there is a radar screen at the top which shows your position, the visible screen area, and the position of aliens and humanoids.

As our reviewers discovered, Starblitz is an absolutely classic version.

COMMENTS

Control keys: Q-T = up, CAPS-V = A-G = reverse direction, U & I = thrust, 0 & P = laser, B = smart bomb
Joystick: Fuller
Keyboard play: very responsive
Colour: very good
Graphics: excellent, nice big aliens
Sound: very good
Skill levels: 1
Lives: 3

This is a classic looking version of 'Defender with more colourful graphics than either Crystal's Invasion of the Body Snatchas or, indeed, the arcade original. The explosions are marvellous. It features all the original ingredients, has keys and very good sound. The radar screen is very effective and appears to be highly accurate in as much as you can line up a shot and fire with every hope of hitting an alien that is just about to appear on the playing screen. I thought this was the best 'Defender' for the Spectrum yet seen, in fact the definitive one. It may be an old game, but for anyone new to Spectrum, it must be nice to kick off with games that are every bit as good as those on the arcades - and this one is.

Quite simply, Starblitz is the best version of 'Defender ' for the Spectrum I have ever seen. The graphics are large, smooth and colourful (great multi-coloured laser blasts). All the original features are there, smart bombs, bombers, aliens, pods etc. The game does require quite a few keys but these are well laid out. It's a pity there isn't a Kempston joystick facility - I'm sure they'll sell thousands more if there were. The sound is also good and your space fighter seems to scream 'Oh no!' when destroyed. This, coupled with the hi-res explosions (especially when you are hit), makes the game an extremely close copy of the arcade original. Definitely the best 'defender' yet (I almost searched for 10p between games)!

Like a 'Scramble' type game, 'Defender' is one of those classic arcade games which require skill and concentration, has a simple idea and therefore can be very addictive if the version is playable. This one is very playable, and lovely to look at too. Certainly the most colourful, with very big graphics and smooth movement, and excellent sound. A very good version.

MACHINE: Spectrum 48K
CONTROL: Keys
FROM: Softek, £6.95

There's no doubt about it, this is the best version of Defender yet released on the Spectrum. It takes over the mantle from Crystal's Invasion of the Body Snatchas for two reasons: it offers sound to those who don't have a Fuller soundbox (as well as those who do), and it's more playable. Invasion was unbelievably hard to play - far harder than the arcade game itself. Star Blitz is a lot less frustrating.

For those who were born yesterday, the idea behind Defender is that you're protecting a group of humanoids from being kidnapped by spaceships known as landers. You fly your craft across a scrolling horizontal landscape blasting the enemy and keeping a special watch for any humanoids being lifted away.

When this happens, they cry out, and if you're clever - and fast - you can shoot the ship carrying them, pick them up before they hit the ground, and then land them back on the surface.

If you fail, the humanoids turn into mutants which are a much more vicious type of alien. As the game wears on you come across many other hostile craft: swarmers, halters, bombers and pods. All these appear in Star Blitz.

One of the best features of this version is the control system. This closely follows the arcade pattern: up, down and reverse with your left hand; thrust, fire and smart-bomb with your right. The keys are evenly placed. Even so, newcomers will need much practice.

One disappointment is that the scrolling isn't completely smooth. I also found the tiny radar panel at the top of the screen very hard to make use of. Never mind, For Defender fanatics this is a must.