[{"TitleName":"MASK III: VENOM Strikes Back","Publisher":"Gremlin Graphics Software Ltd","Author":"Ben Daglish, Colin Dooley, Marco Duroe, Ian Naylor","YearOfRelease":"1988","ZxDbId":"0003045","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 53, Jun 1988","Price":"£1.25","ReleaseDate":"1988-05-26","Editor":"Steve Jarratt","TotalPages":116,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Steven Jarratt\r\nSoftware Editor: Dominic Handy\r\nStaff Writers: Katharina Hamza, Nick Roberts, Lloyd Mangram, Mark Caswell\r\nTechnical Writers: Jon Bates, Simon N Goodwin\r\nEditorial Assistant: Frances Mable\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\nContributors: Julian Rignall Paul Evans, Roger Kean, Raffaele Cecco, Rosetta McLeod, Brendon Kavanagh, Paul Sumner, Robin Candy\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nArt Director: Mark Kendrick\r\nAssistant Art Director: Wayne Allen\r\nDesign & Layout: Yvonne Priest, Melvyn Fisher\r\nPre-Print Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nReprographics/Film Planning: Matthew Uffindell, Nick Orchard, Ian Chubb, Robert Millichamp\r\n\r\nPublishing Controller: David Western\r\nEditorial Director: Roger Kean\r\n\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Roger Bennett\r\nSales Executive: Andrew Smales\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\n\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: Denise Roberts\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nTypesetting by The Tortoise Shell Press, Ludlow. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group. Distribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of CRASH. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop Frances Mable a line at the [redacted] address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for either Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into CRASH including written and photographic material, software and hardware - unless it is accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates.\r\n\r\nTotal: 96,590\r\nUK/EIRE: 90,822\r\n\r\n©CRASH Ltd, 1988\r\n\r\nCover Design & Illustration by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Gremlin Graphics\r\nRetail Price: £8.99 cassette, £12.99 disk\r\nAuthor: programmed by Mark Rogers and Colin Dooley, graphics by Steve and Marcos\r\n\r\nMatt Tracker's third appearance on the Gremlin label is fraught with personal anxiety. Miles Mayhem has kidnapped his son Scott and is holding him to ransom on the moon. Unless MASK's entire forces are surrendered to VENOM, Scott is doomed. Matt's dilemma is a public as well as a private one: if he gives in, VENOM gains total control over the Peaceful Nations Alliance but if he holds out, his son may not survive. The only possible course of action is to orchestrate a clandestine rescue attempt; equipped only with his spacesuit, Matt resolves to undertake the dangerous mission on his own.\r\n\r\nTeleporting onto the moon's surface he begins the perilous journey which is set against a horizontally scrolling lunar landscape of hills, depressions and vast stretches of deadly sea. Purple mountain ranges pucker the horizon while doors occasionally allow entry into inhabited (but mostly deserted) parts of the moon base.\r\n\r\nVENOM's defence systems are on full alert: blockbusters, death-spheres, serpents and angels of death belch out ammunition while surplus projectiles hurtle through the air. Too much contact with enemy fire and Matt's energy level is radically decreased. Should his energy counter fall to zero his mission is prematurely aborted.\r\n\r\nAs he approaches the nerve centre of VENOM's base and attempts to gain control of an enemy craft, Matt encounters supplies of four different types of protective mask which are accessed via the keyboard. Selective use of each of their properties dramatically improves his chances of success. The Penetrator temporarily dematerialises the body, allowing it to pass through solid objects, while the buoyant qualities of the Jackrabbit mask are particularly useful when negotiating long stretches of sea. Masks are collected in boxes of 99 units which count down as they are used.\r\n\r\nStatus displays show score, energy meter and current status of masks, while a scrolling message provides extra information where necessary.\r\n\r\nAs each level is completed, Matt decodes the password to the next. Typing this in at the beginning of a game unlocks the teleport gate to the appropriate level and another desperate attempt to rescue Scott.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nJoystick: Cursor, Kempston, Sinclair\r\nGraphics: a superb range of colourful and detailed characters with a wide range of realistic and animated backgrounds\r\nSound: great title tune from Benn, with above average spot effects\r\nOptions: definable keys","ReviewerComments":["Every game in the MASK series is an improvement over the last - and VENOM Strikes Back is definitely the best of the cartoon-based series. What's most impressive to me is the way that each game differs tremendously from every other - unlike, for example, the Renegade series - but each still ties in strongly with the base subject of the TV programme. The latest in the series is superbly presented but also contains a playable and addictive game. The graphics are, without a doubt, the most impressive part of the game. Apart from being amazingly colourful and intricately detailed they're also superbly animated - which, when you take a look at the amount that's moving, is pretty impressive. But there's more to it than that: it requires a great deal of thought, planning and strategy if you're to get anywhere with it. The MASK series must be a real collector's pack now - all three are well worth getting - but VENOM Strikes Back is simply the icing on the cake.\r\nPaul Sumner\r\n91%","Gremlin strike back with a vengeance! Graphically, MASK II was a definite improvement on MASK I; the sequel to the sequel goes one further in its excellent use of colour and detail. Matt Tracker is cutely animated, even down to the rhythmic turning of his head as he bounds along the moon's bright surface. Gameplay, very much in the style of Exolon and Yeti has the added bonus of freedom of movement; you can usually jump back into the screen you've just left, avoiding a VENOMous onslaught of enemy fire. The complexity of the unfamiliar lunar terrain and the properties of the different masks ensure plentiful variety. Learning when and where to use each mask is an addictive process of trial and error; there's nothing like a premature plunge into the sea or a sudden untimely re-materialisation to keep you going back for more. Scrolling is smooth, collision detection is accurate and control is surprisingly fast. It all contributes to a polished, sophisticated and extremely compelling arcade adventure. Ignore it at your peril!\r\nKati Hamza\r\n90%","VENOM is definitely striking back with this great new addictive game from Gremlin. It's basically just a horizontally scrolling shoot em up but it's just packed full of detailed graphics and challenging puzzles that will have you glued to your screen for hours. Right from the start of the game you're confronted a variety of nasties that all have their own way of destroying you. Once you've memorised the attack patterns then the game does get a bit easier and you can get further. I loved the way that once you enter a password you can go to that level through one of the four transporters. It saves a lot of time and stops the first few levels getting monotonous. Every screen is full of excellently designed objects and characters, all on an atmospheric background of moons and mountains. The animation on each screen adds a dimension of realism with rippling water and pretty detail! Brilliant colour, fantastic sound and there's even a good game in there somewhere. VENOM Strikes Back is another great game in the MASK series.\r\nNick Roberts\r\n91%"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: The superb presentation enhances a very playable and addictive game. VENOM Strikes Back will appeal to adventure and shoot 'em up fans alike","Page":"90,91","Denied":false,"Award":"Crash Smash","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Paul Sumner","Score":"91","ScoreSuffix":"%"},{"Name":"Kati Hamza","Score":"90","ScoreSuffix":"%"},{"Name":"Nick Roberts","Score":"91","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Excuse me sir - have you seen my son, Scott?"},{"Text":"Merciless Matt Tracker sets off on another intrepid expedition."},{"Text":"There's no rest for the wicked VENOM."},{"Text":"Third time lucky for Gremlin."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Presentation","Score":"93%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"93%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"90%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"91%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 31, Jul 1988","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1988-06-14","Editor":"Teresa Maughan","TotalPages":108,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Teresa Maughan\r\nArt Editor: Darrell King\r\nDeputy Editor: Marcus Berkmann\r\nTechnical Editor: Phil South\r\nProduction Editor: Jackie Ryan\r\nDesigner: Catherine Higgs\r\nContributors: Richard Blaine, Ciaran Brennan, Jonathan Davies, Mike 'Skippy' Dunn, Mike Gerrard, Gwyn Hughes, Sean Kelly, Graeme Kidd, David McCandless, Duncan McDonald, David Powell, Nat Pryce, Peter Shaw, Rachael Smith, Ben Stone\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Mark Salmon\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Simon Stansfield\r\nAdvertisement Director: Alistair Ramsay\r\nProduction Manager: Judith Middleton\r\nMarketing Manager: Bryan Denyer\r\nArt Director: Hazel Bennington\r\nPublisher: Kevin Cox\r\nPublishing Director: Roger Munford\r\nFinance Director: Colin Crawford\r\nManaging Director: Stephen England\r\nChairman: Felix Dennis\r\n\r\nPublished by Dennis Publishing Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\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 Sinclair ©1988 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"Gremlin\r\n£7.99\r\nReviewer: Jonathan Davies (Which does most definitely NOT abbreviate to Jon-Boy Urgh!)\r\n\r\n\"I think they have us this time Alex. Onyl that evil genius MIles Mayhem could have kidnapped Scott from under our very noses. We'll have to think of something... and fast!\"\r\n\r\nIf anyone is still reading, that tribute to great works of British literature, does in fact, form the basis of the plot behind the latest in Gremlin's Mask series. Reading on, we are informed that Scott (who?), the son of Matt Trakker (of course!), has been kidnapped by some suppressive mega-evil being (T'zer's got nothing on Miles Mayhem!)\r\n\r\nBehaving as irrationally as heroes do in these situations, Matt decides to get in there and rescue Scott alone, rather than pay the extortionate ransom being demanded. Good for him, I say. Unfortunately, Mask appears to have forgotten to pay the final instalment on its new space-fleet, because it hasn't got one! Undeterred, Matt decides to \"borrow\" a rocket from the lads at Venom.\r\n\r\nThere's one word to sum up what happens next, and it's an angagram of Nex' loo. In other words, time to rush around, blow things up, shoot off peoples' extraneous bits and score loads of points.\r\n\r\nNow Venom has been busy since we last met, and it's come up with a whole new bunch of fearsome weapons for us to 'Oooh' and 'Ahhh' at. Definitely one to be wary of is the DNA-seeking missile, although if Matt's picture is anything to go by, he's 99 percent silicon, so he should be okay.\r\n\r\nIt's a shame that the game-designers were on a tea-break while this one was being written, as it really IS unnervingly similar to Mr Cecco's monumental hunk of coding, extra weapons lying around to pick up and everything. Maybe that's no thing in some respects, especially as quite a few new bits 'n' pieces have been tacked on, but it's hardly going to make heads turn and tongues wibble.\r\n\r\nPrejudices aside, I'll have to admit that Mask III is probably the best of the trio (please don't tell me there are going to be more, though) and its reasonably good fun to play. Like Exolon, it's one of those games where you get ever so sightly further each time you play so you won't get fed up with it too quickly.\r\n\r\nIt's nice to see that the graphics have been tidied up a bit since earlier instalments. No more lurid colours and eye-knackering scrolling, a la number two. Just well-defined sprites on a nice safe black background and a simple flip-screen method. Oh dear, we're back to That Game again...\r\n\r\nGremlin seems to have coughed up another of those \"Hmm, um...\" types of game which could be worth buying, (you certainly won't be bored to tears by it,) but, well, eerm...","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Not a bad little blam 'em up, all things considered, but Exelon's four pee cheaper.","Page":"48","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jonathan Davies","Score":"7","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"7/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 75, Jun 1988","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1988-05-18","Editor":"Graham Taylor","TotalPages":116,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Graham Taylor\r\nStaff Writer: Jim Douglas\r\nStaff Writer: Tamara Howard\r\nArt Editor: Gareth Jones\r\nDesigner: Andrea Walker\r\nAdventure: The Sorceress\r\nZapchat: Jon Riglar\r\nTechnical: Andrew Hewson, Rupert Goodwins\r\nContributors: Tony 'I'm a headbanger' Dillon, Chris '10 o'clock isn't late' Jenkins\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Katherine Lee\r\nDeputy Advertisement Manager: Margaret Caddick-Adams\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Alison Morton\r\nAd Production: Emma Ward\r\nPublisher's Assistant: Debbie Pearson\r\nPublisher: Terry 'Great idea, I'll put it on the back burner immediately' Pratt\r\nMarketing: Clive Pembridge\r\n\r\nPhone: [redacted]\r\nFax: [redacted]\r\nSubscriptions: [redacted]\r\nBack Issues: [redacted]\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]\r\n\r\nThis Month's Cover: Clive Goodyear\r\n\r\nPrinted by Nene River Press, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1988 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458"},"MainText":"Label: Gremlin\r\nAuthor: Mark Rogers & Colin Dooley\r\nPrice: £7.99\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nJoystick: various\r\nReviewer: Chris Jenkins\r\n\r\nCrikey. They're back. Just when you thought you'd I heard the last of those nasty terrorist-types from VENOM, they've kidnapped Scott Trakker, son of hero Matt, and it's time for MASK to leap into action again.\r\n\r\nThis is the third MASK game from Gremlin, and the series shows little sign of running out of ideas. Basically, you could take any action game format and stick the name MASK on it, and it's to Gremlin's credit that they haven't taken the opportunity to put out a load of old plop.\r\n\r\nLike many recent releases including Exolon and Yeti, Venom Strikes Back takes place over multiple screens through which your beweaponed figure must fight from left to right. In this case the target is a VENOM base on the dark side of the moon, the weapons are various MASK goodies, and the enemies are the guardian monsters and machines of the evil Miles Mayhem.\r\n\r\nThe background details are nicely designed, while the black backdrop of space means that colour clashes can be kept to a minimum. The figure of Matt Tracker bounds energetically across the screen, leaping over cases, extending bridges and what appears to be water (on the Moon)? The nasty weapons include exploding globes, guided missiles, gun emplacements, giant serpents and little acutely armadillos. So what do you do to fight them off?\r\n\r\nScattered over the landscape you will find packages containing alternative MASK helmets. These give you special powers, and can be selected from an icon menu at the bottom of the screen using the number keys. The first mask fires bullets, but you only have 99 so don't waste them. The others wear out as you use them, so keep an eye on the meters or you'll find your weapon cut off unexpectedly (oo-er). The second mask gives you invulnerability for a short period, while the third allows you to fly and gives you a laser. The fourth is a bit of a mystery, 'cos I haven't found it yet, but expect it'll be something spiffy.\r\n\r\nAs you'd expect, after moving through several doors, you'll come to the end of the level where there's an extra big, extra nastie waiting to take you out. At the end of level one, it's a cannon mounted on the top of a hill, and here you'll be forced to wade through its fire or waste your flying power in order to get at it.\r\n\r\nAt the end of each level you're given a code which allows you to start at that level in subsequent games. Quite right too; I loathe games where you have to fight your way all through the first levels over and over again. Apart from the odd silliness - water and clouds on the moon, for instance - Venom Strikes Back is jolly good fun. It's remarkably similar to aforementioned titles like Exolon and Yeti, though, so don't expect much in the way of originality.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Exciting multi-screen action, ideal for the trigger-happy toy freak.","Page":"52","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Chris Jenkins","Score":"7","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"7/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) Issue 9, Jun 1988","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1988-05-05","Editor":"Peter Connor, Steve Cooke","TotalPages":124,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Future Publishing [redacted]\r\nTelephone [redacted], Fax [redacted], Telecom Gold 84:TXT152, Prestel/Micronet [redacted]\r\n\r\nCo-editors: Peter Connor, Steve Cooke\r\nReviews Editor: Andy Wilton\r\nProduction Editor: Rod Lawton\r\nStaff Writer: Andy Smith\r\nArt Editor: Trevor Gilham\r\nArt Team: Angela Neale, Sally Meddings\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Jonathan Beales\r\nAdvertising Sales Executive: Jennie Evans\r\nPublisher: Chris Anderson\r\n\r\nSUBSCRIPTIONS\r\nAvon Direct Mail [redacted]\r\n\r\nSPECIAL OFFERS\r\n(Christine Stacey) [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOLOUR ORIGINATION\r\nWessex Reproduction [redacted]\r\n\r\nDISTRIBUTION\r\nSM Distribution [redacted]\r\n\r\nPRINTING\r\nChase Web Offset [redacted]\r\n\r\nCopyright - FUTURE PUBLISHING LTD 1988 - No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without our permission."},"MainText":"More vicious, nasty gameplay from Gremlin.\r\n\r\nPoor Matt Trakker, it seems like only yesterday that he had to rescue the President from the clutches of VENOM, then the vicious, evil, nasty etc. bunch snatch his very own son. So off he goes, giving Gremlin the plot for this third part in their Mask series.\r\n\r\nAlex (that's Tracker Jr.) is being kept on a Venom base on the dark side of the moon. New weapons have been employed by the baddies, and this time Matt is on his own He sets off along a sideways scrolling landscape (which differs slightly from version to version - see boxes) avoiding Venom's weapons and trying to get through the various levels until he can find and rescue his nipper.\r\n\r\nWhile the game isn't terribly original, it's very well constructed; there's plenty to shoot, the difficulty level is about right and the sound effects add to the overall effect. Newcomers to the series will find it pleasant enough, while fans of Mask (the games) will definitely want to investigate. It may not be a long-term challenge, but the short-term fun will be considerable.\r\n\r\nReviewer: Pete Connor\r\n\r\nRELEASE BOX\r\nAms, £9.99cs, £14.99dk, Out Now\r\nC64/128, £9.99cs, £14.99dk, Out Now\r\nSpec, £7.99cs, £12.99dk, Out Now\r\n\r\nPredicted Interest Curve\r\n\r\n1 min: 60/100\r\n1 hour: 65/100\r\n1 day: 65/100\r\n1 week: 60/100\r\n1 month: 40/100\r\n1 year: 10/100","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Lots of fun early on, but the excitement may not last over longer periods.","Page":"46","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Pete Connor","Score":"660","ScoreSuffix":"/1000"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"C64 - As soon as we unfreeze this screen, that boulder's going to do some real damage to our Matt."},{"Text":"Spectrum - Matt Tracker, using the Backlash mask, blasts his way through Venom's defences."}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"AMSTRAD VERSION\r\n\r\nAlmost identical to the Spectrum, although the graphics are a little sharper. Again, the fact that you have only one life can be a trifle tedious.\r\n\r\nGraphics: 7/10\r\nAudio: 6/10\r\nIQ Factor: 4/10\r\nFun Factor: 7/10\r\nAce Rating: 660/1000\r\n\r\nPredicted Interest Curve\r\n\r\n1 min: 60/100\r\n1 hour: 65/100\r\n1 day: 65/100\r\n1 week: 60/100\r\n1 month: 40/100\r\n1 year: 10/100"},{"Text":"C64 VERSION\r\n\r\nBright, colourful graphics and bouncy sound a added to instant playability. You get the option of using weapons and jump jet masks, but not the Penetrator for invisibility. The overall impression is of a smooth and very playable game.\r\n\r\nGraphics: 8/10\r\nAudio: 8/10\r\nIQ Factor: 4/10\r\nFun Factor: 7/10\r\nAce Rating: 713/1000\r\n\r\nPredicted Interest Curve\r\n\r\n1 min: 70/100\r\n1 hour: 75/100\r\n1 day: 75/100\r\n1 week: 68/100\r\n1 month: 50/100\r\n1 year: 10/100"},{"Text":"SPECTRUM VERSION\r\n\r\nGraphics and sound are, again, excellent. The layout differs slightly from ether versions, but the object is the same and the game plays in the same way. A frustrating point, though, is that you get only one life; you die much more quickly than you do with the Commodore's three."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Audio","Score":"6/10","Text":""},{"Header":"IQ Factor","Score":"4/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Fun Factor","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Ace Rating","Score":"660/1000","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"The Games Machine Issue 7, Jun 1988","Price":"£1.25","ReleaseDate":"1988-05-19","Editor":"Oliver Frey","TotalPages":124,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Oliver Frey\r\nAssistant Editor: Nik Wild\r\nSoftware Co-ordinator: Richard Eddy\r\nStaff Writer: Robin Hogg, Stewart Wynne\r\nEditorial Assistant: Frances Mable\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\nContributors: Jon Bates, Tony Bridge, Robin Candy, Mel Croucher, Robin Evans, John Gilbert, Roger Kean, Barnaby Page, Rob Steel, John Woods\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION\r\n[redacted]\r\nArt Director: Markie Kendrick\r\nAssistant Art Director: Wayne Allen\r\nDesign & Layout: Yvonne Priest, Melvin Fisher\r\nPre-Print Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nReprographics/Film Planning: Matthew Uffindell, Nick Orchard, Ian Chubb, Robert Millichamp\r\nPublishing Controller: David Western\r\nEditorial Director: Roger Kean\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Roger Bennett\r\nSales Executive: Andrew Smales\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\n\r\nMAIL ORDER\r\nCarol Kinsey\r\n\r\nSUBSCRIPTIONS\r\nDenise Roberts\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nTypeset by the Tortoise Shell Press, Ludlow. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset [redacted] - a member of the BPCC Group. Distribution effected by COMAG, [redacted].\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of THE GAMES MACHINE. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop Fran Mable a line at the PO Box 10 address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in part or in whole without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into THE GAMES MACHINE - including written and photographic material, hardware or software - unless it's accompanied by a suitably stamped, addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photographic material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates.\r\n\r\n©Newsfield Ltd, 1988\r\n\r\nCover Illustration by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Spectrum 48/128 Cassette: £7.99\r\nCommodore 64/128 Cassette: £9.99, Diskette: £14.99\r\nAmstrad CPC Cassette: £9.99, Diskette: £14.99\r\nMAX II Cassette: £7.99\r\n\r\nSNAKE SPIT!\r\n\r\nAccording to Gremlin Graphics, the MASK series, of which Venom Strikes Back is the third, has sold well. 'We have aimed the games at the 16 and under age-group - simply because this is the market who already have an interest in MASK from the TV series or comic books,' says Richard Barclay, Gremlin's Marketing Assistant. 'It has been a very worthwhile product license, but whether we do a fourth is dependent on how well this one sells.' Venom Strikes Back is written by Mark Rogers and Colin Dooley.\r\n\r\nMatt Tracker stars once again in a heroic quest - this time with a personal interest. VENOM - the evil network run by Miles Mayhem - has captured Scott (Matt's son), and is holding him captive in the VENOM base on the moon's dark side.\r\n\r\nThe action takes Matt, equipped in spacesuit, across the moons surface and underground complex, both heavily guarded automatic defence systems. The background scrolls from left to right on the Commodore 64 version while the Spectrum and Amstrad use a flip-screen technique.\r\n\r\nMatts armour is enhanced by collecting three types of icon: Penetrator - rendering him invincible: Backlash - a standard laser weapon; and Jack Rabbit - providing flying power and two-bolt laser fire. All three are limited but may be replenished by picking up further icons. The fourth item Matt can collect is a Healer, which replenishes energy - indicated by a bar - lost when Matt is struck by VENOM's defence systems.\r\n\r\nThere are three levels in Venom Strikes Back, the last two accessed via a password awarded when the previous level has been completed - a useful feature which avoids having to begin each new game from the beginning. In fact there is little depth to the game, but it wins out through its addictive qualities which should keep you battling Miles Mayhem for many hours.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"The platform/shoot-'em-up action comes across very well on the Spectrum - graphics are detailed and colourful enough to create a suitably pleasing effect while creating hardly any colour clash, The animation and action maintains a high level of speed even when there is plenty going on. With no gameplay difference between 48K and 128K versions, the latter does, however, feature an additional tune. Although the concept is simplistic, Gremlin's polished programming makes it a slick, compulsive game to play.","Page":"44","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Matt Tracker courageously avoids a Deathsphore on the dark side of the moon - Commodore 64 screen."},{"Text":"Slightly less hectic than the Commodore game, the Spectrum Matt Tracker leaps across obstacles in an effort to save his son."}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"\"...its addictive qualities should keep you battling for hours...\""},{"Text":"AMSTRAD CPC\r\n\r\nOverall: 80%\r\n\r\nSimilar to its Spectrum counterpart with the exception of graphics which have been used in mode 1 to provide four colours onscreen - apart from which - and a very slight reduction in speed - it is equally entertaining."},{"Text":"COMMODORE 64/128\r\n\r\nOverall: 63%\r\n\r\nAfter the pleasing Spectrum version the drab and lifeless Commodore game is a big disappointment. The tidy graphics featured on other formats have been replaced by chunky, unexciting designs which do not give a good first impression. Gameplay is a bit too difficult to become addictive - the fun of the platform element being marred by the demands of pixel perfection, leaving little chance to hurtle along and making it all too fiddly to encourage perseverance."},{"Text":"MSX II\r\n\r\nExpected any day, we have high hopes of this version being one of - if not the - best. Watch out for an update next issue"}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"80%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]