[{"TitleName":"The Covenant","Publisher":"PSS","Author":"Paul Hutchinson","YearOfRelease":"1985","ZxDbId":"0001098","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 19, Aug 1985","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-07-25","Editor":"Graeme Kidd","TotalPages":132,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Publishing Executive: Roger Kean\r\nEditor: Graeme Kidd\r\nTechnical Editor: Franco Frey\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nSoftware Editor: Jeremy Spencer\r\nAdventure Editor: Derek Brewster\r\nStrategy Reviewer: Angus Ryall\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey, Robin Candy, Ben Stone, John Minson, Mark Hamer\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nProduction Manager: Sally Newman\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\n©1985 Newsfield Limited.\r\nCrash Magazine is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions [redacted]\r\nEditorial/studio [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\n\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]; Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset Ltd (Member of the BPCC Group), [redacted].\r\nDistribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £14.50 post included (UK Mainland); Europe: 12 issues £21.50 post included. Outside Europe by arrangement in writing.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return any written material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material which may be used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. The opinions and views of correspondents are their own and not necessarily in accord with those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nMICRONET:\r\nYou can talk to CRASH via Micronet. Our MBX is 105845851\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: PSS\r\nMemory Required: 48K\r\nRetail Price: £6.95\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\nAuthor: Paul Hutchinson\r\n\r\nThe name Covenant refers to a long lost parchment which carries the entire cultural record of a long dead people, a race whose once proud members have now mutated and been scattered, along with fragments of the Covenant among the 256 caverns of a subterranean horrorscape contained within a planet. You are the last survivor of the race, and as such it is your duty to find the 64 pieces of parchment and restore the knowledge that it bears. You must also gather the poor miserable mutant creatures from within the caverns, so that when you have the complete parchment the planet surface can be repopulated.\r\n\r\nAlone you may be, but unaided you're not. Your equipment includes a globe (for getting about in) and a stun gun. Now it may seem odd that the wretched creatures you are trying so hard to rescue need to be stunned, but it's safe to assume that at this stage they have no idea what you are up to so they tend to regard you as an enemy. The globe itself isn't a bundle of fun to manoeuvre its movement is designed to mimic that of submerged bodies, ie awkward. Whenever you or your globe come into contact with a creature energy will be drained, so the first task in any cavern is to stun the creatures within and take them on board by manoeuvring your craft over them.\r\n\r\nThe whole cave system is divided up into blocks of four rooms. Each area has a key, a piece of the Covenant and some anaesthetic. Get the anaesthetic for the stun gun so you can capture the critters, which you must do, because you can only move into the next area when they've all been rounded up.\r\n\r\nYou only have one life so you must be careful not to get too close to the creatures, especially when you are not in the globe the rate at which you lose energy increases. Fortunately you can recharge by standing on a power point.\r\n\r\nAt any stage of the game you can inspect the status screen by pressing the space bar. This screen shows how much of the parchment you have collected, your energy level and how many objects (keys etc) and creatures you have gathered. A record of the time and score is also displayed.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: definable\r\nJoystick: any\r\nKeyboard play: good\r\nUse of colour: very good\r\nGraphics: great\r\nSound: a little distressing at times\r\nSkill levels: one\r\nLives: one but can be re-charge energy\r\nScreens: 256","ReviewerComments":["As the ratings may well show, getting started on this game was far from easy. The instructions showed the anaesthetic to be a sponge like blob, but in fact for the first area it looked more like a bowl of flowers, and there was a bowl of flowers on another screen. A take perhaps. The game itself has some very well drawn and colourful graphics. The movement of the character and the globe take a lot of getting used to, but that's all part of the game. On the whole I found this to be a reasonably difficult game but this was mostly due to the 'bad' handling of the craft. I have a feeling that this is a game to keep all of you mappers hard at work. Overall pretty addictive but don't expect to finish it too soon.\r\r\nUnknown","I have to admit that l found this a very difficult game to complete and I'm not sure that the reasons for this are good ones. The characters are very difficult to control and the initial supply of energy wouldn't be enough to get a C5 down the hallway. I suppose that is really the challenge of it, one is expected to learn how to control the characters and have the foresight to find a recharge point in time. Nevertheless the graphics are very good and I am sure that the game is interesting enough to make the hard work required worthwhile.\r\r\nUnknown","This is not an easy game to play. The movement of the globe is almost unpredictable, as it is meant to be, but it's still pretty confusing. When the character leaves the globe he is pretty happy just pottering around the floor of the cavern, but cannot be controlled when floating upwards. I have decided that there really isn't enough energy for the first part of the game - I know there are power points available but I'm sure I would have made more progress if a difficulty level had been provided. On the whole this is a very attractive game; there is a great deal to see and it should keep the patient and persistent going for a long time to come.\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: An inspired but difficult game.","Page":"42","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"73%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"84%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"75%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"68%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"83%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"82%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"83%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Spectrum Issue 19, Oct 1985","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-09-19","Editor":"Kevin Cox","TotalPages":66,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Kevin Cox\r\nArt Editor: Phoebe Evans\r\nDeputy Editor: Peter Shaw\r\nProduction Editor: Louise Cook\r\nDesigner: Martin Dixon\r\nEditorial Consultant: Andrew Pennell\r\nSoftware Consultant: Gavin Monk\r\nContributors: Stephen Adams, Ross Holman, Tony Samuels, Ian Beardsmore, Chris Wood, Rick Robson, Dougie Bern, Chris Somerville, Max Phillips, Phil South, Stuart Jamieson, Christopher Hardy, Peter Freebrey, Dave Nicholls\r\nAdvertisement Manager: David Baskerville\r\nProduction Manager: Sonia Hunt\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Chris Talbot\r\nManaging Editor: Roger Munford\r\nArt Director: Jimmy Egerton\r\nPublisher: Stephen England\r\n\r\nPublished by Sportscene Specialist Press Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England. Telephone (all departments): [redacted]\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Spectrum ©1985 Felden productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Spectrum is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"THE COVENANT\r\nPSS\r\n£6.95\r\n\r\nRick: One for all you raiders of the lost Arcade. An adventure with a platform element, this game combines something of a Dr. Who scenario with an intergalactic Roots saga. A game most certainly for the skilful, not the wilful, as just one false blast (well only a few anyway) on your retro will doom your ancestral race, to oblivion. As a cosmic culture-vulture your mission impossible is to retrieve the 64 pieces of your people's covenant. You won't find 'Darwin was here' scratched on any of the multitudinous caverns in this game, as it's actually the groovy ghoulies who threaten your existence. They're miraculously transmuted into your own descendants once you've captured them all - it's a wonderful thing evolution.\r\n\r\nBut what am I doing, I can't go on telling you the plot! Let me tell you about the revival of the bubble car instead. You must manoeuvre your spherical craft, In a roundabout way through rocky caverns and around ledges. Don't worry about bursting the bubble, you can quite safely smash it into walls. But be warned, it's no smooth ride in your floating globe. You'll need a pretty nifty touch to control the craft as the friction factor's high, so don't expect to slip around gracefully like the ball in a Steve Davis trick shot. And don't waste energy searching for a recharging spot either.\r\n\r\nIf you've got Superman-type-saviour-of-the-world instincts, then you should have plenty of fun with The Covenant, and it really does put the joy back into joystick!","ReviewerComments":["I know software can be adventurous, but the thought of being the last bastion of a whole threatened race is hard to get used to! Luckily, controlling the vehicle and avoiding grand caverns takes your mind off the seriousness of your task! Watch out Indiana Jones, you've got a rival!\r\nRoss Holman\r\n6/10","The graphics are fairly average, but the game is well up to scratch. It takes a bit of practice to get really good, and there's no chance of me finding all 64 bits of the covenant... but that's no problem. Fun. fun, fun.\r\nDougie Bern\r\n8/10"],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"42","Denied":false,"Award":"Rick's Rave Of The Month","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Ross Holman","Score":"6","ScoreSuffix":"/10"},{"Name":"Rick Robson","Score":"8","ScoreSuffix":"/10"},{"Name":"Dougie Bern","Score":"8","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"My. haven't we done well. (No! Ed) This large area shows just what you've collected so far - and that can be summed up m one word - zilch. You get the Picture?\r\n\r\nWhat have we got here - a key! You can use it to open one of the treasure chests where you'll find a piece o' the coveted covenent.\r\n\r\nYour lives are illustrated by the three hearts. When they pump purple, you're in good shape but like this, blue, cold and lifeless, it's clear you've had one heart attack too many."},{"Text":"The bubble car's making a comeback! You have two choices when it comes to transport - in the pod here or Shank s pony, but you'll have less protection then. The catch is that you can't pick anything up or recharge your energy when you're inside your womb with a view.\r\n\r\nThe plants are harmless and just for decoration. The objects you'll find, however, can boost your power cells or provide weapons - or they can do the exact opposite. The motto is, take care!\r\n\r\nLOOK for level ground if you want to disembark from your globe or you could be in big trouble at touchdown.\r\n\r\nDon't let 'em get you in a corner. The meanies move in a crescent shaped patch and you'll have to take avoiding action if you don't want your power drained."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 41, Aug 1985","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-07-18","Editor":"Bill Scolding","TotalPages":116,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\nEditor: Bill Scolding\r\nDeputy Editor: John Gilbert\r\nStaff Writer: Chris Bourne, Clare Edgeley\r\nDesigner: Craig Kennedy\r\nEditorial Secretary: Norisah Fenn\r\nPublisher: Neil Wood\r\n\r\nADVERTISING\r\nAdvertising Manager: Rob Cameron\r\nDeputy Advertisement Manager: Louise Fanthorpe\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executive: Kathy McLennan\r\nProduction Assistant: Jim McClure\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Linda Everest\r\n\r\nMAGAZINE SERVICES\r\nSubscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne\r\n\r\nTELEPHONE\r\nAll departments [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n\r\nCover Photograph: Sheila Rock for Roland Rat Enterprises Ltd.\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs or articles to:\r\nSinclair User\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nOriginal programs should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included.\r\n\r\nWe pay £20 for each program printed and £50 for star programs.\r\n\r\nTypeset by Saffron Graphics Ltd, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Peterboro' Web, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1985 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458\r\n\r\n91,901 Jun-Dec 1984"},"MainText":"Publisher: PSS\r\nPrice: £6.95\r\nMemory: 48K\r\nJoystick: Kempston. Sinclair, Cursor\r\n\r\nAny connection between The Covenant, biblical events and good games is totally coincidental.\r\n\r\nYou must guide your space ship around the caverns, getting out to pick up objects and pieces of covenant which, once fitted together, will save the world from destruction. There is, however, the little problem of the Thingies. They have a sting in their tails which will terminate you instantly.\r\n\r\nTo destroy the Thingies you must 22 leave your craft, pick up some anaesthetic and hit one of the two creatures. It will then be disabled for a few seconds. Then jump back into the spacecraft and bounce on it to pick it up. Such complex action makes lengthy play impossible.\r\n\r\nThe Thingies are intelligent and attack as soon as you leave your craft, draining your energy. Getting to the energiser is difficult and once there the Thingies continue their attack.\r\n\r\nIn the second section you must pass pipes which drip molten lava. There are more Thingies to kill, more covenant to pick up and more sections through which to pass.\r\n\r\nArcade wizards would find it difficult to complete 256 caverns, go through 67 passages and contend with ever-present aliens using just one life.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"22","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"John Gilbert","Score":"2","ScoreSuffix":"/5"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"2/5","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair Programs Issue 35, Sep 1985","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-08-15","Editor":"Rebecca Ferguson","TotalPages":60,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Rebecca Ferguson\r\nStaff Writer: Colette McDermott\r\nDesign/Illustration: Elaine Bishop\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Shahid Nizam\r\nProduction Co-ordinator: Serena Hadley\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Maria Keighley\r\nSubscription Manager: Carl Dunne\r\nPublisher: Neil Wood\r\n\r\nSinclair Programs is published monthly by EMAP Business and Computer Publications.\r\n\r\nTelephone [redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like your original programs to be published in Sinclair Programs, please send your contributions, which must not have appeared elsewhere, to:\r\nSinclair Programs\r\nEEC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included. We pay £25 for the copyright of listings published and £10 for the copyright of listings published in the Beginners' section.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1985 Sinclair Programs\r\nISSN No. 0263-0265\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by: Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by EMAP National Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nAll subscription enquiries:\r\nMagazine Services,\r\nEMAP Business and Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]"},"MainText":"PRICE: £6.95\r\n\r\nScattered around a vast, subterranean complex are 64 pieces of parchment. As last survivor of your race your task is to collect these parts of The Covenant, last remnant of your people's culture, and to collect the animals which surround them.\r\n\r\nFirst task involves only four screens, each inhabited by two creatures. The aim is to stun and collect all the creatures, collect the key and the parchment on order to open the way to further rooms.\r\n\r\nMovement is agonisingly slow as your space craft floats gently around, and your spaceman hops from rock to rock. Neither is easy to control, neither is responsive to quick changes of direction. Drift the wrong way and you are doomed.\r\n\r\nDoomed because you have very little energy in the first place, and very little contact with a non-stunned creature will drain it all. Infuriating because you only have one life, so dying means going right back to the beginning of the game.\r\n\r\nProduced for the 48K Spectrum by PSS, [redacted].","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"17","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Colette McDermott","Score":"55","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Rating","Score":"55%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]