[{"TitleName":"Batman: The Movie","Publisher":"Ocean Software Ltd","Author":"Dawn Drake, Matthew Cannon, Mike Lamb","YearOfRelease":"1989","ZxDbId":"0000434","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 70, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-21","Editor":"Oliver Frey","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Oliver Frey\r\nSoftware Co-ordinator: Mark Caswell\r\nStaff Writers: Nick Roberts, Lloyd Mangram\r\nEditorial Assistants: Viv Vickress, Caroline Blake\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION DEPARTMENT\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nReprographics Supervisor: Matthew Uffindell (Supervisor), Robert Millichamp, Tim Morris, Jenny Reddard\r\n\r\nDESIGN\r\nMark Kendrick, Melvin Fisher\r\n\r\nSystems Operator: Ian Chubb\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executives: Lee Watkins\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\nGroup Promotions Executive: Richard Eddy\r\n\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\nSubscriptions\r\n[redacted].\r\n\r\nDesigned and typeset on Apple Macintosh II computers using Quark Express and Adobe Illustrator '88, output at MBI [redacted] with systems support from Digital Reprographics [redacted]. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistribution 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 the Viv Vickress 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. No 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. We regret that readers' postal enquiries cannot always be answered. Unsolicited written or photo material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Colour photographic material should be 35mm transparencies wherever possible. The views expressed in CRASH are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nCopyright CRASH Ltd 1989 A Newsfield Publication. ISSN 0954-8661. Cover Design by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Ocean/Mike Lamb/Dawn Drake\r\n£9.99 cass, £14.99 disk\r\n\r\nHave you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? Now's your chance: Batman - The Movie is here. This is Ocean's third foray into Batworld and without doubt the best with Gotham City hoodlums terrorised by our caped hero, the creation of The Joker and a climax in Gotham City cathedral, just like the film.\r\n\r\nThe game opens with the police raid on a chemical plant burgled by local hoodlum Jack Napier. Batman chases Napier, negotiating sixty screens filled with hoods, police officers, acid drops and gas from leaky pipes, armed with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of Batarangs to fend off attackers. A gun which fires a rope and grapple has him swinging to a swashbuckling confrontation with Napier and level end, with the villain plunging into a vat of acid. Thus The Joker is spawned...\r\n\r\nOn level two Batman rescues beautiful photographer Vicki Vale from the clutches of a vengeful Joker, and they make their escape in the Batmobile zipping down the streets with Gotham police in hot pursuit. The immense speed of the car makes ordinary turns impossible, and only by shooting out a cable which snags a handy lamp post can Batmobile be swung in the desired direction.\r\n\r\nSafety found in the Batcave, it's time for a bit of brainwork: Batman has one minute to solve the riddle of how an apparently random poisoning campaign waged by The Joker can be thwarted.\r\n\r\nAnd on: in his Batwing our hero must save an unsuspecting crowd from The Joker's Smilex poison about to be unleashed from overhead carnival balloons. The wingtips must cut the balloons' mooring ropes. Success crashlands poor old Batman into the climactic last 100 screen level in the cathedral.\r\n\r\nThe Joker has taken refuge on the roof. Using his Batrope, the Caped Crusader must climb to the top of the tower, fighting off cops and The Joker's men, to reach the villain and put paid to him.\r\n\r\nI'm a great Batman fan, and not disappointed! Jack Nicholson's movie performance as the psychotic Joker is ably matched by the pixellated stand-in and the Batman sprite is no slouch either. Go with a smile and get this extravaganza (probably better than the film!).\r\n\r\nMARK 94%","ReviewerComments":["Oh, I've got a live one here! Ha, ha, ha! What a game. Batman has all the excellent graphics and sound of Robocop, with maze layouts to add that extra playability, and that's just the first level (I can't get any further!). The sprites of Batman and The Joker are recognisable with better pictures of the characters on the energy level indicator at the bottom of the screen. Sound is good too, with plenty of effects and a tune that plays throughout, although it's hardly Prince's Batdance! My only quibble is that it's a bit hard. I've spent hours playing the game and haven't even got past the first bit (though I have seen the later levels), it gets more and more playable as you progress with the Batmobile, Batwing and cathedral levels all to look forward to. Batman - The Movie is another excellent movie tie-in from Ocean... Stop the press!\r\nNick Roberts\r\n92%"],"OverallSummary":"A brill and varied humdinger of a film tie-in. No joke!","Page":"45","Denied":false,"Award":"Crash Smash","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Nick Roberts","Score":"92","ScoreSuffix":"%"},{"Name":"Mark Caswell","Score":"94","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Presentation","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"92%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictivity","Score":"93%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"93%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 47, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-16","Editor":"Matt Bielby","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Matt Bielby\r\nArt Editor: Catherine Higgs\r\nDeputy Editor: Jackie Ryan\r\nProduction Editor: Andy Ide\r\nStaff Writer: David Wilson\r\nDesigner: Catherine Peters\r\nTechnical Consultant: Jonathan Davies\r\nContributors: Marcus Berkmann, Jonathan Davies, Mike Gerrard, Sean Kelly, Duncan MacDonald, David McCandless, Phil South\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Lynda Elliott\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Alison Morton\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Chris Skinner\r\nAdvertisement Director: Alistair Ramsay\r\nProduction Manager: Judith Middleton\r\nAdvertisement Production: Claire Baker\r\nMarketing Manager: Bryan Denyer\r\nNewstrade Circulation Manager: Stephen Ward\r\nSubscription Manager: June Smith\r\nPublisher: Teresa Maughan\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: Point Five [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinted By: Riverside Press [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1989 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":"Ocean\r\n£9.99 cass/£14.99 disk\r\nReviewer: Matt Bielby\r\n\r\nYou've worn the T-shirt (well, I have), you've seen the movie (about 16 times), you've stuck on the stickers, pinned on the badges, even read the YS Megapreview. And you're probably sick to the Bat-gills of this whole so-called Bat-phenomenon by now. But hold it! just one more Bat-thing to cope with, I promise you! The best is yet to come...\r\n\r\nOr so Ocean keeps telling us, anyhow. Batman (The Game Of The Movie) didn't quite manage to make it out in time for the height of Bat-fever, but it's done a lot better than some film licences I could mention. And not only is it current, it's also a blooming good game! Let's take a look at it shall we?\r\n\r\nFor a start - as seems to be Ocean's wont these days - it's a multiload (on 48K anyway), with each section based closely on a sequence from the film. Two of them (the first and the last) are platform and ladders shoot-'em-ups, and very snazzy platform and ladders shoot-'em-ups they are too. The middle two (or two and a half if you count the quick Joker's puzzle sequence that appears between the second and third loads) are a different kettle of fish, though. They're much simpler, more limited games, though just as flawlessly executed.\r\n\r\nAnyway, the first level. This is the bit where you're pursuing the Joker around a chemical factory. There are two different types of gun-firing hoods after you - men with hats and men, erm, without hats - as well as other natural hazards like energy-sapping, dripping gunk and jets of steam. The main problem though is making your way to the top of the building. Arrows appear to point out your route (another recent Ocean trait) but - oh no! - there seem to be loads of big gaps you have to cross. Luckily Bats not only comes equipped with his normal take-out-the-bad-guys Batarang, but a Bat-rope too. Aim up or diagonally up and he throws out a line which either winches him up a level or allows him to swing Tarzan-like across a gap. In fact, it's more Bionic Commando than 'Tarzan' but better animated. In fact, this whole section is extremely well done. Largish and very clear monochrome sprites, good smooth animation and scrolling, and well though-out gameplay - it's all here. It's large too, and Tipshop should see the new Bat-maps start flooding in any day now.\r\n\r\nLoad Two is a different box of tricks altogether. You're driving the Batmobile back to the Batcave against a time limit, but other cars keep getting in your way. It's a horizontal scroller which involves dodging in and out of the other cars and watching out for 'turn left' arrows. When one appears you should deftly shoot out a Bat-rope to spin you round the corner and head up-screen (or in my case, miss a corner, turn around, head back against the traffic, miss the corner again and so on). You can't fault this level - it's fast, and the blue cars are very clear against the black road - except to say \"Is that it?\" Basically it's a very well executed bit of simple budget gameplay, and I exepcted more.\r\n\r\nThe same goes for the next level too. It's the parade sequence, with the Joker's lorries - complete with poison gas balloons trailing above them - cruising down Gotham High Street. Here you come now in the Batwing, flying along at a set distance above the ground (though you can move the plane left, right forward and back). Your job is to cut the lines holding the gas balloons and send them floating harmlessly away. Every so often a few helicopters appear which you have to dodge, and then it's more lorries again. I dunno. It's very faithful to the film, and very well done, but again the gameplay is just so simple. Too simple really. The Joker's quiz sequence, which comes between these two and gives you a minute to work out what three household items contain the Joker's poisons by a process of deduction, is a nice little touch - but that's all it is. A slightly disappointing centre section then, but things come alive again on the last load.\r\n\r\nThis is a reprisal of the first scene, though set in the Gotham cathedral. This time some of the men throw bombs at you rather than shoot (very tricky to deal with) rats snap at your heels, and some platforms crumble as you walk on them. The map seems even bigger this time and there are even more sequences demanding skilful use of the Batrope. All in all it's as snazzy a platform game as we've seen in ages. Get to the top in time, defeat the last two goons who lurk there, and you can catch the Joker climbing the ladder to his waiting 'copter. Toss a Batarang at him and you get a great end sequence as he falls down the outside of the building passing gargoyles as he goes, for what must be about six or seven screens.\r\n\r\nI liked Batman (The Game Of The Movie) a lot. It's as faithful, supremely well executed and generally wazzy a film conversion as you could ever hope to see. But... there's a 'but'. The platform levels are great, but the simplicity of the driving sections is a bit of a let-down. Add a shooting element (after all, both Bat-vehicles were armed in the film), or more variety to these bits, and it would have been a better game. In fact, it would have stood a good chance of a Megagame.\r\n\r\nActually (has a quick rethink), let's be fair. It's blooming good. It's probably Megagame-good. It's just that The Untouchables (a brilliant game, perhaps the best released on the Speccy this year) is even better. I dunno. Buy them both. You won't be disappointed. And I'm sure you'd make Ocean very happy.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"A brilliantly-done film conversion, but (ever so slightly) let down by limited driving sequences.","Page":"22,23","Denied":false,"Award":"Your Sinclair Megagame","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Matt Bielby","Score":"91","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Hang a sharp left, Batty! The Batcave is thataway!"},{"Text":"It's the Batwing sequence. You don't seem to be doing too well this old sever-the-balloons lark, do you? (A quick hint - it's easier to position the Batwing shadow under the trucks that the plane over them. Just thought you'd like to know.)"},{"Text":"The final level. Batty's made it to the roof and he's thwacked the Joker with his Batarang! Hurrah! You've won the game! (Or at least, I have. Ha!)"},{"Text":"This is the Joker's Quiz bit. You have to solve which three household goods (like soap and a toothbrush) have poison in them by a process of elimination. Sounds simple, but there's only 51 seconds to go!"},{"Text":"Yikes! Batman - stop moving like John Travolta and toss that Batarang! Your about to get shot! (The pic at the bottom shows how you're doing life-wise. When it looks like Batty then you're okay, but the nearer it gets to Jokerdom the nearer you're getting to 'Game Over'. As you can see, not long to go now!)"}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Life Expectancy","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Instant Appeal","Score":"92%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"83%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"91%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 71, Nov 1991","Price":"£2.2","ReleaseDate":"1991-10-03","Editor":"Andy Hutchinson","TotalPages":76,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Andy Hutchinson\r\nNew Art Editor: Andy Ounsted\r\nGames Editor: James Leach\r\nStaff Writer: Linda Barker\r\nArt Assistant: Maryanne Booth\r\nAdvertising Manager: Cheryl Beesley\r\nProduction Coordinator: Melissa Parkinson\r\nPublisher: Jane Richardson\r\nPromotions Manager: Michele Harris\r\nGroup Publisher: Greg Ingham\r\nCirculation Director: Sue Hartley\r\n\r\nYour Sinclair, Future Publishing [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: Computer Posting [redacted]\r\nDistribution: MMC [redacted]\r\n\r\nCover Illustration: Colin Jones\r\nISSN 0269 6983\r\nABC Jan-June 1991 65,444\r\n\r\nYour Sinclair is brought to you from the same incredibly tartan people who publish Commodore Format, ST Format, Amiga Format, NCE, Amstrad Action, 8000 Plus, PC Answers, PC Plus, Sega Power, Amiga Power, Amiga Shopper, Classic CD, Needlecraft, Mountain Biking UK, PC Format and Public Domain and quite possibly three more mages by the time you read this!"},"MainText":"BATMAN (THE MOVIE)\r\nHit Squad\r\n£3.99\r\nReviewer: Jon Pillar\r\n\r\nFaster than a speeding Royal! More powerful than Arnie's eyebrows! Able to leap tall buildings in a single-seater jump jet! ...Well, that's enough about me, what of the man in the all-over welly boot? in this game of the film, T-shirt and key-ring you're the sinister vigilante himself. You're out on a five-level mission to clean up Gotham City - and you're not carrying a broom. The gameplay is a neat combination of two styles - the four-way scrolling platform shoot-'em-up, and the horizontally-scrolling driving game. Seeing as it's from the programmers of Robocop, the fact the platform levels are very, um, Robocoppy is unsurprising. It's jolly good fun and quite addictive, but there's a problem. You've got an energy system and there are no top-up icons - so just as you feel you're getting somewhere, you run out of energy and get sent back miles. Aarghhh! The driving sections are fairly playable but (but! But!) you've got no weapons, and it's rather unrealistic to have the mighty Batvehicles bashed about by VW Beetles.\r\n\r\nTo sum up then, you get a lot of game for your coins, but the flaws bring down the overall rating.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"65","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jon Pillar","Score":"80","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Even super-heroes get caught in cross town traffic when there's a crime to solve. Don't think much of this American park and ride scheme though."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"80%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 60, Dec 1990","Price":"£1.85","ReleaseDate":"1990-11-01","Editor":"Matt Bielby","TotalPages":108,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Matt Bielby\r\nArt Editor: Sal Meddings\r\nProduction Editor: Andy Ide\r\nStaff Writer: Linda Barker\r\nDesign Assistant: Andy Ounsted\r\nContributors: Robin Alway, Marcus Berkmann, Jonathan Davies, Cathy Fryett, Mike Gerrard, Kati Hamza, Duncan MacDonald, Jon North, Julia O'Shea, Rich Pelley, David Wilson\r\nAdvertising Manager: Simon Moss\r\nPublisher: Greg Ingham\r\nAssistant Publisher: Jane Richardson\r\nSubscriptions: Computer Posting [redacted]\r\nMail Order: The Old Barn [redacted]\r\nPrinters: Riverside Press [redacted]\r\nDistributors: MMC [redacted]\r\n\r\nYour Sinclair is published by Future Publishing Ltd [redacted]\r\n\r\n©Future Publishing 1990. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission."},"MainText":"BATMAN THE MOVIE\r\nOcean\r\n\r\nAlong with Robocop, which is probably the biggest-selling game of any kind ever, this was one of Ocean's biggest sellers last year. Its success was obviously a result of the film's popularity rather than anything great about the game itself, although its very well put together and enjoyable all the same.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, Batman is the chap you control, and he walks around killing people. Well, on the first and last levels he does anyway. These are easily the best, with Bat-rope and Batarang featuring prominently. The rest of the game consists of a driving bit, which is a bit boring, a flying bit, which is also slightly tedious, and a puzzle-solving bit. The graphics all the way through are great, if a bit monochrome, and the game is generally one of the most comprehensive film conversions around. It's just a bit obvious that all the programming effort went into the walking-about parts, and they're the bits that are just like any other film game. Ho hum.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"61","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jonathan Davies","Score":"90","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Bruce Wayne, eh? Madcap schizo fruitbat or what?"}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"AS NEAR AS DAMMIT EVERY FILM AND TELLY GAME EVER\r\n\r\n3-2-1 - Microcomputer\r\nAirwolf - Elite\r\nAlien - Mindgames\r\nAliens - Electric Dreams\r\nAliens - US Electric Dreams\r\nAttack Of The Killer Tomatoes - Global\r\nA View To A Kill - Domark\r\nBack To The Future Part II - image Works\r\nBasil The Great Mouse Detective - Gremlin\r\nBatman - Ocean\r\nBatman The Caped Crusader - Ocean\r\nBatman The Movie - Ocean\r\nBattle Of The Planets - Mikro-Gen\r\nBenny Hill's Madcap Chase - Dk'Tronics\r\nBiggies - Mirrorsoft\r\nBig Trouble in Little China - Electric Dreams\r\nBlade Runner - CRL\r\nBlockbusters TV - Games\r\nBlue Max - US Gold\r\nBob's Full House - TV Games\r\nBruce Lee - US Gold\r\nBuck Rogers - US Gold\r\nCobra - Ocean\r\nCount Duckula - Alternative\r\nDanger Mouse in Double Trouble - Sparklers\r\nDanger Mouse in Making Whoopee - Sparklers\r\nDeath Wish III - Gremlin\r\nDukes Of Hazard, The - Elite\r\nEastenders - Tynesoft\r\nEmpire Strikes Back, The - Domark\r\nFlash Gordon - MAD\r\nFlintstones - Grandslam\r\nGhostbusters - Activision\r\nGhostbusters II - Activision\r\nGilbert - Escape From Drill - Again Again\r\nGive My Regards To Broad Street - Argus Press Software\r\nGoonies, The - US Gold\r\nHighlander - Ocean\r\nHong Kong Phooey - Hi-Tec\r\nHoward The Duck - Activision\r\nIndiana Jones And The Last Crusade - US Gold\r\nIndiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom - US Gold\r\nInspector Gadget - Melbourne House\r\nKnightmare - Activision\r\nKnight Rider - Ocean\r\nKrypton Factor - TV Games\r\nLicence To Kill - Domark\r\nLive And Let Die - Domark\r\nLiving Daylights, The - Domark\r\nMax Headroom - Quicksilva\r\nMasters Of The Universe - Gremlin\r\nMiami Vice - Ocean\r\nMickey Mouse - Gremlin\r\nMike Read's Computer Pop Quiz - Elite\r\nMinder - Dk'Tronics\r\nMonty Python's Flying Circus - Virgin\r\nMoonwalker - US Gold\r\nMunsters, The - Again Again\r\nNeverEnding Story, The - Ocean\r\nNightbreed, The - Ocean\r\nOrm And Cheep - The Birthday Party - Macmillan\r\nPink Panther - Gremlin\r\nPlatoon - Ocean\r\nPopeye - DkTronics\r\nPostman Pat - Alternative\r\nPostman Pat II - Alternative\r\nPredator - Activision\r\nRambo - Ocean\r\nRambo III - Ocean\r\nReal Ghostbusters, The - Activision\r\nRed Heat - Ocean\r\nReturn Of The Jedi - Domark\r\nRoad Runner - US Gold\r\nRobocop - Ocean\r\nRoland's Rat Race - Ocean\r\nScooby Doo - Elite\r\nShort Circuit - Ocean\r\nSooty And Sweep - Alternative\r\nSpitting image - Domark\r\nSporting Triangles - CDS\r\nSpy Who Loved Me, The - Domark\r\nStar Wars - Domark\r\nStreet Hawk - Ocean\r\nTarzan - Martech\r\nTerrahawks - CRL\r\nThunderbirds - Firebird\r\nThunderbirds - Grandslam\r\nThundercats - Elite\r\nTop Gun - Ocean\r\nTotal Recall - Ocean\r\nUntouchables, The - Ocean\r\nYabba Dabba Doo - Quicksilva\r\nYes Prime Minister - Mosaic\r\nYogi Bear - Piranha\r\nYogi's Great Escape - Hi-Tec\r\nYoung Ones, The - Orpheus\r\nZorro - US Gold"},{"Text":"DIFFERENT SORTS OF FILM AND TELLY GAMES\r\n\r\nFILM GAMES\r\n\r\nThese form the largest category by far. Just about every major film has a game to go with it, and as there are lots of films that means lots of games. What they're actually like tends to vary though. In some cases they're just ordinary beat-'em-ups or shoot-'em-ups with a very tenuous link with the film {generally just the name). Cobra and Highlander both went for this approach. Or they might be much the same sort of thing, but divided up into levels which are meant to refer to scenes from the film. Since most films are just beat-'em-ups and shoot-'em-ups anyway this tends to work pretty well, as with Robocop and Total Recall. Last of all are the games which are split up into completely different levels, like the early Bond efforts. There might be driving bits, walking bits and puzzle-solving bits, and they're usually pretty faithful to segments in the film. They do tend to pay a heavy price in terms of quality though (so be careful).\r\n\r\n(Er, the obligatory warehouse level in Beverly Hills Cop.)\r\n\r\nCARTOON GAMES\r\n\r\nMoving into television territory here, and these are generally the most popular telly games, especially on budget labels (witness Hong Kong Phooey, Count Duckula, all that sort of thing). The licences are probably pretty cheap to acquire, especially if the cartoon hasn't been on for about 20 years, and they're a doddle to convert to the computer. Cartoony graphics are about the easiest to pull off successfully on the Speccy, so they always look good. What you get under the surface though tends to be a very ordinary beat-'em-up or arcade adventure.\r\n\r\n(Hong Kong Phooey, faster than the human eye! (Sort of.))\r\n\r\nQUIZ GAMES\r\n\r\nAnother popular category, this, as television game shows are just begging to be computerised. They're mainly just a case of answering silly questions and filling in spaces on a scoreboard (or something), both things the Speccy is ideally suited to. There's usually the odd digitised piccy of your 'host' thrown in for luck, and lots of irritating tunes from the telly programme. Whether they're any good or not is very much a matter of opinion. The programming's usually well up to scratch, and they're always faithful replicas of the telly versions. But, as TV game shows are utter dross, the games tend to be too. Check out Sporting Triangles and Bob's Full House (if you must).\r\n\r\n(Sporting Triangles - er, a bit of a boring game really.)\r\n\r\nOTHER TELLY GAMES\r\n\r\nThere are all sorts of things left over, of course. There are the Gerry Anderson puppet programmes, which have formed the basis of the odd decent game. There are crusty old series like Flash Gordon. There are modern(ish) American programmes like Knight Rider and Miami Vice which haven't proved too successful on the Spectrum. There are 'cult' programmes like The Munsters and Monty Python. There are kiddies' shows like Postman Pat. All sorts of things really.\r\n\r\n(And here's Sooty And Sweep.(No, it isn't.) Yes. It is. (Etc.))"},{"Text":"SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A FILM AND TELLY GAME?\r\n\r\nHere's a list of essential ingredients to incorporate...\r\n\r\n- A bloke walking around shooting things.\r\n- Er...\r\n- That's it."},{"Text":"THE FIRST-EVER FILM AND TELLY GAME\r\n\r\n(Purses lips and inhales very slowly.) That's a tricky one. It ought to be pretty easy to pin down Film and Telly Game Number One, as they haven't been around for too long compared to other sorts of game. Well, I reckon (but don't quote me on this) it was Terrahawks from CRL, the game of the puppet programme. The thing is, though, I'm sure there was a Blue Thunder game floating around quite a long time before, but I can't find any references to it anywhere. So we'll stick with Terrahawks, eh? And, as was usually the case with these 'first-ever' games, it was pretty useless. There weren't actually any puppets in it for a start, just a whole bunch of 3D wire-frame building things which you had to explore (in a spaceship) in the hope of finding a vortex through which to exit. The 'Joystick Jury' (forerunners of today's Jugglers) weren't too impressed and gave it 2/5. Still, the pioneering spirit was there, and the game was a few months ahead of the first-ever film game - Activision's Ghostbusters. That was pretty hopeless as well, but did extraordinarily well."},{"Text":"TOP FIVE CINEMA ADS\r\n\r\n1) The Butterkist one (ra-ra-ra).\r\n2) The Kia Ora one.\r\n3) The really crap one for the local tile centre.\r\n4) The Sunshine Coaches one.\r\n5) The insurance one with the crummy jingle."},{"Text":"TOP TEN ANNOYING THINGS THAT PEOPLE DO IN CINEMAS\r\n\r\n1. Singing along to the Kia Ora advert (and doing the 'I'll be your dog' bit).\r\n\r\n2. Sitting on the seat in front of you, making it fold down and squash your feet.\r\n\r\n3. Snogging.\r\n\r\n4. Eating sweets with noisy wrappers.\r\n\r\n5. Giggling all the way through.\r\n\r\n6. Asking you to stop giggling.\r\n\r\n7. Passing you sweets every five seconds.\r\n\r\n8. Telling you what happens next.\r\n\r\n9. Trying to suck up the last drop of drink with a straw.\r\n\r\n10. Getting up and leaving at the split-picosecond the film finishes, having spent the last five minutes putting on their coat and stuffing all their litter under the seat."},{"Text":"WHAT'S A FILM AND TELLY GAME THEN? HMM?\r\n\r\nThat's easy. It's a game for which the software house producing it has had to hand over a vast wad of money to a film or television company so they can call their game The Sound Of Music or Newsnight or whatever. Distinguishing features are, as you may have gathered, the name of a famous film or telly programme splashed across the box and a bloke who walks round shooting things. Apart from that, though, just about anything can happen in them. They might be shoot-'em-ups or collect-'em-ups. They might scroll or they might 'flip'. They might multiload or they might not. (They usually do though.)\r\n\r\nSo they're not very hard to spot at all then, which makes writing this guide a whole lot easier."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Lights","Score":"90%","Text":""},{"Header":"Camera","Score":"92%","Text":""},{"Header":"Action","Score":"92%","Text":""},{"Header":"Cut","Score":"88%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"90%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 91, Oct 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-09-18","Editor":"Jim Douglas","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Meet the super hard-working SU team!\r\n\r\nJIM \"Editor\" DOUGLAS\r\nAs Sinclair User;s pioneer of New Technolog,. Jim is completely at home with thousansd of pounds worth of high quality laser equipment. On top of deciding what goes where in the mag, Jim can explain to the simplest of simpletons the pica/point conversion system on a Mac hard drive DTP 123 system. And not once has he sat and stared and sworn at a blank screen for a whole afternoon. Not many.\r\n\r\nALISON \"Production Editor\" SKEAT\r\nAl loves her PC to PIECES (arf). With its special ergonomic vertical keyboard and - rather expensive - blank-o-screen Alison's Cray XMP Wysiwig can spell check, delete lines, write extra copy and even sample the current text and suggest a witty headline. Never again will you find a typographical error in Sinclair User. For example, the Cray has written the next piece.\r\nXyndfi31 \"f hthecat\" I:LK\r\nSJ:Jmnr23jouo >54t,6 > . 6tgv nonsytemdiskretryerror .....\r\n\r\nTIM \"Art Editor\" NOONAN\r\n'Nah. Vis new tech's a load of donkey's bums' muses Mr Philosophy. Tim has always preferred the traditional way of doing things. Descended from 11th century monks. Tim continues to keep some of their practices alive in his design work. Every letter that appears in all of the 120,000 issues printed each month is carefully printed onto each page by Tim using an ivory stencil. Here Tim can be seen working on his 53,000th \"E\". As you can see, it's fascinating work.\r\n\r\nGARTH \"Staff Writer\" Sumpter\r\nA hard man to track down, staffer Garth managed to elude the camera's eye once more. You see, if he's not writing something at his desk, he's looking at a new game, and if he's not looking at a new game he's trying to get hold of a new game, and if he's not trying to get hold of a new game then he's driving thousands of miles to research some information on a new game that may be coming out. And if he's not doing any of that, he's probably completing his work for the CIA. Alright for some eh?\r\n\r\nAdventure: The Sorceress\r\nDirty Tricks: Jon Riglar\r\nHow The Hell: Andrew Hewson\r\nI've Got This Problem: Rupert Goodwins\r\nExtra Stuff: John \"Payments overdue\" Cook, Chris \"Payments very overdue\" Jenkins\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Nigel \"Two jobs?\" Taylor\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Martha 'Is he not?' Moloughney\r\nAd Production: Emma Ward\r\nMarketing Manager: Dean 'Jiggy jiggy' Barrett\r\nMarketing Assistant: Sarah 'Where's my film?' Ewing\r\nPublisher: Terry 'The big man' Pratt\r\n\r\nOur Address: [redacted]\r\nOur Phone Number: [redacted]\r\nOur Fax No: [redacted]\r\n\r\nThis Month's Cover: Cabal from Ocean\r\nCover Artist: Jerry Paris\r\n\r\nPrinted by Nene River Press, [redacted]\r\nTypeset by Professional Reprographics Services [redacted]\r\nDistributed by EMAP Frontline.\r\n\r\nSubscription Enquiries: [redacted]\r\n24 Hour Order Line: [redacted]\r\nBack Issues: Back Issues Department (SU), [redacted]\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1989 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458"},"MainText":"Label: Ocean\r\nAuthor: In-house\r\nPrice: £8.95\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nJoystick: various\r\n\r\nDada dada dada dada... BATMAN! The Joker is once more at large in Gotham City as reports flood in of kitchen chemicals that have been doctored with Smilex Gas.\r\n\r\n\"Begorrah Commissioner, the Joker's laughing at us what can we do?\" drawls the bigtown bobby. \"That fiendish felon the Joker, may have the city in stitches but there's one person who should be able to take the smile off his face\"\r\n\r\n\"You don't mean...\" Oh yes he does. So as the Commissioner reaches for the Batphone, the latest batch of the film record of the video of the T shirt of the game begins...\r\n\r\nAs you all know from last issue's mega tape, Batman the computer game is now available for the Spectrum and the graphics are good, the music is melodic and the gameplay is great. The action takes place over five scenarios and faithfully follows the film - whaddaya mean you ain't seen it? You got no street cred at all? Okay, for the bebefit os the zero trends... The game unfolds in the Axis Chemical Plant, where as chance would have it, Jack Napier fell into a vat of chemicals which did a biological jobbie, not on his Pierr Caradin boxers but on his noggin. Exit one Mr Average, enter the Joker. He uses the planet to produce Smilex which is currently the scourge of the Metropolis. Batman must find the Joker in the labyrinth of the factory, hampered by his inevitable cronies who try to shoot, bomb and gernally be extremely unhelpful to our caped crusader.\r\n\r\nSo, armed with only his trusty self loading Batarang, and his own line in express lifts, Batman must run, jump climb and swing his way to the Joker. Control is by keyboard or joystick and the fire button being the crux of the gameplay.\r\n\r\nA direction plus fire sends the batrope blasting off to hook onto a handy ledge or even to KER POW! a cronie. Problem being, Batman can't move whilst using the rope so it's always a good idea to clean up the baddies before using it. It's also very handy for dastardly do-no-gooders on diagonals as the Batarang will only fire left or right. Once the Batrope is secured, the masked avenger can swing to and fro and by releasing the fire button at the right time, can leap across gaps in platforms.\r\n\r\nBatman loses energy each time he is shot, bombed or dropped on by baddies. Energy status is shown by how far the picture of Batman's visage has turned into that of the Joker's. By sending the Joker for an early bath in the chemical vat, Batman then returns to the Batcave as fast as possible to analyse and neutralise the Smilex. He must drive through the Gotham City rush hour, avoid energy depleting collisions with other vehicles, walls and... yes, that arch villain the Joker is brining up the rear in his Transit to make sure Batman moves it!\r\n\r\nAn arrow shows the direction of the Batcave, turns being made by hooking the Batarang onto a convenient lamppost and pulling the Batmobile into line. Why doesn't he use a Bat steering wheel? Phew! Meanwhile. back at the Batcave... having introduced the SMilex to the Batcomputer you must crack the Joker's code. Select each icon and the computer will tell you how many you've got right. Holy smoking Bat droppings, you've done it! Onto the next level.\r\n\r\nInto the Batwing to save the people of Gotham City from Smilex filled balloons at the local parade. You must use the Batwing to cut the balloon's string and launch them skywards to do their dirty deed to the ozone layer instead.\r\n\r\nHaving saved the day and just about to tuck into a Batburger, our hero runs to the batpole one last time to rescue Vikky Vale from the clutches of our vile villain. It all takes place at the Cathedral (Boinggg), and using the Batbits in the Batmanner, he must make his way to the roof to confront the Joker one last time. Watch out for the rats which cannot be killed - avoid them by climbing up the Batrope whenever they scurry across the floor. If you've seen the film, wore the T-shirt, bought the commemorative mugs and listened to the album then you'll probably buy the game so's yer collection is complete.\r\n\r\nIf not then have a look at the demo on last month's megatape and if after all that you buy it then it's just got to be great hasn't it. If it's not and like me you find that behind all the great gameplay there are just five games of the film, wiz graphics neato touches.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Sure to be a monster hit!","Page":"12,13","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Batman swings into action. Who forgot to build the floors anyway?"},{"Text":"Going..."},{"Text":"gone. The Joker returns to whence he came."},{"Text":"The balloon goes up for the Joker as the Batwing cuts a swathe in Gotham High Street."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"78%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"84%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"70%","Text":""},{"Header":"Lastability","Score":"72%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"76%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 116, Oct 1991","Price":"£1.85","ReleaseDate":"1991-09-15","Editor":"Garth Sumpter","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Garth Sumpter (yuck!)\r\nDesign: Andrea Walker (fnak!)\r\nDesign: Yvette Nicholls (wha hey!)\r\nSoftware Editor: Steve Keen (plop!)\r\nSU Crew: John Cook, Pete Gerrard, Phillip Fisch, Ian Watson, Alan Dykes\r\nAd Manager: Jerry Hall (fwoar!)\r\nAd Production: Jo Gleissner (slurp!)\r\nMarketing Man.: Mark Swan (kwak!)\r\nMarketing Women: Sarah Ewing, Sarah Hilliard (ooohhhhhHHH!)\r\nPublisher: Graham Taylor (.......)\r\nManaging Director: Terry Pratt (zzz)\r\n\r\n(c)1991 EMAP IMAGES\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nDISTRIBUTION: BBC FRONTLINE\r\nSU SUBSCRIPTIONS: [redacted]\r\n\r\nTypesetting by Garthtype.\r\nColour work by Proprint.\r\nPrinting by Chase Web.\r\n\r\nNo part of this magazine may be reproduced or even stored in any means of electronic retrieval system. You can however, store this magazine on a coffee table, gentleman's hairdressers, any ladies toilet or underwear shop and all branches of Ann Sommers. I hope that all of you who've been on holiday had a brill time. The SU Crew are all off for a spot of summer fun next month so we'll be printing pictures of us down in the dunes. If anyone out there wants to send in a snapshot of them on holiday then we'll print it in the mag. See you all next month!"},"MainText":"Label: Ocean\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nPrice: £3.99 Tape, £7.99 Disk\r\nReviewer: Steve Keen\r\n\r\nIt seems like only yesterday that I was standing in the fifteen mile queue at my local flea pit waiting to see Michael Keaton's controversial portrayal of Batman and Kim Basenger's, well, er portrayal! And now the hype has gone and a little black box flops depressingly through the Crew letter box and clunks nonchalantly to the bedraggled door mat.\r\n\r\nSo what's left over when all the glitter's gone? Well the game is certainly above average in the presentation stakes. A nice play area with unobtrusive score boards and a life meter that slowly turns from Batman's face into the Joker's as your energy falls off. Large detailed sprites almost cartoon like in appearance and an assortment of different scenarios.\r\n\r\nThe first section is a platform shoot 'em up allowing you to use the Batarang to swing from shelf to shelf. It's all against the clock and all the stages are riddled with the Joker's henchmen ready to take your life away. Other stages include a high speed chase in the Batmobile, a puzzle section and cathedral platform action.\r\n\r\nThere's a lot of mileage still left in this game and it has already sold in huge quantities when it first came out.\r\n\r\nAnyone who's new to the game will find it hdrd going at first, but don't be put off. Where as it's not as thrilling as the box would have you believe Batman still holds his licensed head up high long after the hype has gone. And you can take it from me, it's not the last we've heard of the Caped Crusader!","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Very nice graphic and some thoughtful sounds. Batman is slightly a lethargic mover and doesn't always duck when it's in his best interests to do so, but a solid buy nonetheless.","Page":"41","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Steve Keen","Score":"79","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Ah! The Bat's in the belfry!"},{"Text":"Batman's driving us batty as hot pursuit takes on a truck race!"},{"Text":"Holy hellhopper Batman we've been chasing shadows."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"79%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"79%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"75%","Text":""},{"Header":"Lastability","Score":"79%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"79%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) Issue 26, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-05","Editor":"Steve Cooke","TotalPages":164,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EMAP B & CP [redacted]\r\nTelephone [redacted], Fax [redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Steve Cooke\r\nReviews Editor: Eugene Lacey\r\nStaff Writer: Laurence Scotford\r\nDesign Editor: Jim Willis\r\nContributors: Andy Wilton, Ciaran Brennan, Tony Dillon, Kati Hamza, John Minson, John Cook, Pete Connor, Tony Ruben\r\nAdditional Design By: Richard Slater, Phil Hendy\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Gary Williams\r\nDeputy Advertising Manager: Jerry Hall\r\nAdvertising Production: Sue Lee\r\nPublisher: Terry Pratt\r\n\r\nSUBSCRIPTIONS\r\nEMAP Frontline, Subscriptions Dept [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOLOUR ORIGINATION\r\nLatent Image [redacted]\r\n\r\nTYPESETTING\r\nCXT [redacted]\r\n\r\nDISTRIBUTION\r\nEMAP Frontline [redacted]\r\n\r\nPRINTING\r\nSevern Valley Press, Caerphilly\r\n\r\n©EMAP B&CP 1989\r\n\r\nNo part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without our permission."},"MainText":"Ocean relicensed to clean up - again.\r\n\r\nThis must be the first time I can honestly say \"Great game shame about the film\".\r\n\r\nNo, I didn't like the movie. Not that it matters much as everyone has seen it by now anyway and (regardless of what I thought of it) there is no doubt that it provides excellent material for converting into computer entertainment.\r\n\r\nThis is the last of the mid-89 film blockbusters to be converted to the home computer screen. We've had James Bond, Indiana Jones, and now the Caped Crusader from Gotham City enters the fray in what is by far the best of 'em all in terms of computer entertainment.\r\n\r\nRight from the opening screens you can see and hear the quality of the conversion and get to grips with the Batgear you have always longed to have a go on. There is the famous Bat-rope with its Bat-anchor that latches onto window ledges and enables our hero to swing into action. As well as the Batshurikens that the super hero can lob at the villains to \"Kapow\" them out of the action.\r\n\r\nThe game commences in the warehouse of Axis Chemicals where all sorts of toxic substances are leaking from pipes and dangerous gasses being exuded into the air. The Joker's men are everywhere and Batman needs to be nimble to avoid them. His Batsuit has been made impregnable to bullets - up to a certain number. He is, however, helpless against the bombs being lobbed at him by the green suited villain. These will knock him off his rope or kill him should they make contact enough times.\r\n\r\nThis opening platform level makes for an absorbing game in its own right. Swinging around on the ropes is excellent fun - and nothing has ever been done like it before in a platform game - unless you count Cuthbert in The Jungle, in which case you're probably too busy collecting a pension to play this game. Of course there have been other ropes before but nothing as sophisticated as this. You have to be a sure shot when you throw your rope in order to swing into the right position, kicking a few villains into the middle of next week as you fly through the air.\r\n\r\nAnother neat graphical touch is the way the Bat-cap flies up when you jump to a platform below. The game has quality written all over it.\r\n\r\nThere are five levels in total. As well as the Axis Factory you will see action in the Bat Cave, Batmobile, Batwing, and face a final showdown with the Joker in Gotham Cathedral.\r\n\r\nAll of the sections of the game are entertaining and rewarding but the real thrill of the game is when you sit behind the wheel of the Batmobile. Ocean have correctly given this most attention of all - and what an excellent job they have made of it.\r\n\r\nIt plays like a sort of Bat-style Chase HQ coin-op which - considering Ocean have the rights to that coin-op - bodes well for more thrills to come from the Mancunian games house. The aim of the game here is to sort out the Joker's van which is speeding through the streets of Gotham City.\r\n\r\nTaking the controls of the Batwing launches another 3D game which has been superbly executed. Reminiscent of Afterburner as you swoop low over the carnival taking out the balloons (filled with nerve gas) that the Joker is using to hold Gotham City to ransom.\r\n\r\nThe final confrontation with the Joker takes place in Gotham Cathedral. This is another platform affair which is very similar to the Axis Factory. The map is different though - and equally vast - so be prepared to jot down a few simple sketch maps to help you find your way around as you track down the opposition.\r\n\r\nOcean have captured all of the atmosphere of the film but have sensibly concentrated on a few of the action sequences. This makes for five entertaining and challenging arcade games at the end of which (if you're successful) you'll triumph over the Joker without having to go through a complex arcade-adventure style challenge as you do.for example, in the recent Indy Action game. Maybe other licensee's will learn a lesson here.\r\n\r\nOcean are to be congratulated for putting so much effort into an excellent arcade game - especially when, given the Bat-hype, even Bat-shaped Space invaders would have won them the number one slot on all formats. Proves that cynical commercialism does not always triumph over high personal and professional standards.\r\n\r\nReviewer: Eugene Lacey\r\n\r\nRELEASE BOX\r\nAtari ST, £19.99dk, Imminent\r\nAmiga, £24.99dk, Out Now\r\nSpec, £9.99cs, £14.99dk, Imminent\r\nC64/128, £9.99cs, £14.99dk, Imminent","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"It'll take you a while to sort out the Joker. It is good fun doing so, but ultimately Bat hype will pass as will the appeal of this game.","Page":"48","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Eugene Lacey","Score":"911","ScoreSuffix":"/1000"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Amiga Batman - Commodore's joker in the pack to sell Amiga's this Xmas."},{"Text":"Batmobile enters the 16bit Grand Prix."},{"Text":"The mask tells you who is winning."}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"AMIGA VERSION\r\n\r\nFull of sound and graphical frills. There is a delightful screen when Jack Nicholson's Joker appears laughing, and later asks if you \"have ever danced in the pale moonlight\". Far superior sound and speed to all other versions as the Amiga flexes its muscles and shows its superiority in the Caped Crusader game.\r\n\r\nGraphics: 8/10\r\nAudio: 8/10\r\nIQ Factor: 8/10\r\nFun Factor: 9/10\r\nAce Rating: 922/1000\r\n\r\nPredicted Interest Curve\r\n\r\n1 min: 80/100\r\n1 hour: 90/100\r\n1 day: 95/100\r\n1 week: 100/100\r\n1 month: 50/100\r\n1 year: 0/100"},{"Text":"SPECTRUM VERSION\r\n\r\nOnly two colours on certain levels but retaining the same game play as the other versions. The Batmobile level is slightly different on the Spectrum in that it is a horizontally scrolling race - as opposed to the 3D version described above. Every bit as much fun to play as the 16-bit versions."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Audio","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"IQ Factor","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Fun Factor","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Ace Rating","Score":"911/1000","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 95, Oct 1989","Price":"£1.2","ReleaseDate":"1989-09-16","Editor":"Julian Rignall","TotalPages":132,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Julian Rignall\r\nArt Editor: Andrea Walker\r\nStaff Writer: Paul Glancey\r\nArt Assistant: Osman Browne\r\nAdvertising Manager: Nigel Taylor\r\nDep Ads Manager: Joanna Cooke\r\nSales Executive: Tina Zanelli\r\nProduction Assistant: Glenys Powell\r\nPublisher: Graham Taylor\r\nThis Month's Cover: Jerry Paris\r\n\r\nSubscription Enquiries to: EMAP Frontline, [redacted]\r\n\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]"},"MainText":"Ocean\r\nSpectrum, C64\r\nSpectrum £9.99, C64 £9.99\r\n\r\nBatman is surely one of THE biggest movies of all time. It's everywhere. And now you can even play the role of the caped crusader himself and battle the evil Joker in the dark and grimy streets of a computerised Gotham city!\r\n\r\nBatman the Movie is Oceans third Bat-game, the previous two being licensed from the DC comics. It follows the plot of the film very closely, with five levels adapted directly from scenes in the movie, The first level is a multi-directionally scrolling platform game set in the massive Axis chemical factory. The objective is to reach the end of the level and confront Jack Napier, the leader of the villains, and dispose of him.\r\n\r\nBetween you and him are a myriad of hazard-packed screens. Steam lets shoot out from broken pipes, acid drips from the ceiling and marauding baddies open fire with pistols - all wear down Batman's energy, and he only has three bat-lives.\r\n\r\nBatman is armed with a batarang and batrope which he can fire at the roof and hoist himself up to the next screen, or use to swing across gaps in the factory floor. He can even fire it at enemies and knock them out, rather than having to engage in a fist-fight at close range.\r\n\r\nLevel two puts you behind the wheel of the batmobile as you race down a heavily congested horizontally scrolling road and attempt to escape from the Joker's van. Every so often you have to take a sharp left turnn by either slowing down and skidding around the bend, or by extending the bat-hook to catch a lamp post and swing you round the corner at top speed (timing is crucial for this move - miss and you smash into the wall). Fail to turn when indicated and you crash into a police road-block.\r\n\r\nThe third level is a mini puzzle game. The Joker has poisoned three household items, and you have one minute to work out which of the ten are deadly through a process of elimination, rather like the old board game, Mastermind.\r\n\r\nSort out the poison, and it's time to fly the Batwing. Gotham City carnival is in progress, but little do the onlookers know that the Joker has filled the balloons attached to the floats with nerve gas. Batman knows though, and has to fly the Batwing down the scrolling main street and cut the balloon strings so that the balloons fly harmlessly away. Miss balloons, or run into them and energy is lost.\r\n\r\nThe final confrontation takes place in the Cathedral, which is a similar platform-type game to level one. Again the map is vast, and tracking down the Joker takes time, as well as a little cartography. I'm not going to tell you what you have to do at the end, 'cos that'll ruin the film if you haven't already seen it.\r\n\r\nTo be honest, Ocean could have produced a mediocre Bat-game and it still would have sold well on the strength of the film alone. But they haven't. Batman is a superb game, and captures the atmosphere and excitement of the movie perfectly with five challenging levels.\r\n\r\nThe graphics and sound on both the Spectrum and C64 versions are excellent, and the gameplay is highly addictive, with enough variety to satisfy the most demanding Batfans.\r\n\r\nBatman is definitely the best film tie-in yet if you enjoyed the film, make sure you don't miss the game.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"A beautifully crafted film tie-in which fully captures the excitement and atmosphere of the movie.","Page":"16","Denied":false,"Award":"C+VG Hit","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Julian Rignall","Score":"92","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Dodging bullets on the bat-rope."},{"Text":"Meanwhile... in Gotham City..."},{"Text":"Swinging through the Axis factory. Where's that Joker?"}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"C64 SCORES\r\n\r\nOverall: 92%\r\n\r\nThe same gameplay as the Spectrum, but with improved graphics and a brilliant, atmospheric soundtrack."},{"Text":"UPDATE\r\n\r\nThe Amstrad version is coming along nicely, and will have the same game play as the Spectrum, but better music and graphics. The 16 bit versions are looking amazing - check them out in the previews section at the back of the mag."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"88%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"85%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value","Score":"88%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"92%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"92%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"The Games Machine Issue 24, Nov 1989","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1989-10-12","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL OFFICE\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Roger Kean\r\nFeatures Editor: Dominic Handy\r\nTechnical Editor: Robin Candy\r\nStaff Writers: Mark Caswell, Warren Lapworth\r\nEditorial Assistants: Vivien Vickress\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\nContributors: Mel Croucher, Ruth Pracy, Paul Rigby, Marshal M Rosenthal (USA), John Woods\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION DEPARTMENT\r\n[redacted]\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nSenior Designer: Wayne Allen\r\nReprographics: Matthew Uffindell (Supervisor), Robert Millichamp, Tim Morris, Jenny Reddard\r\nDesign: Roger Kean, Mark Kendrick, Melvyn Fisher\r\nSystems Operator: Ian Chubb\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executives: Lee Watkins\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\nGroup Promotions Executive: Richard Eddy\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: [redacted]\r\n\r\nDesigned and typeset on Apple Macintosh II computers running Quark Xpress, Adobe Illustrator 88, with systems support from Digital Print Reprographics, [redacted]. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted] and Newsfield. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset [redacted] - a member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistribution 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 TGM. 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 Viv Vickress 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 TGM - including written and photographic material, hardware or software - unless it's accompanied by a suitably stamped, addressed envelope. We regret that readers' postal enquiries cannot always be answered. Unsolicited written or photographic material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Colour photographic material should be 35mm transparencies wherever possible. The views expressed in TGM are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\n©1989 TGM Ltd 1989\r\nA Newsfield Publication ISSN 0954-8092\r\n\r\nCover Design Roger Kean"},"MainText":"Spectrum 48/128 Cassette: £9.99, Diskette: £14.99\r\nAmstrad CPC Cassette: £9.99, Diskette: £14.99\r\nCommodore 64/128 Cassette: £9.99, Diskette: £14.99\r\nAmiga £24.99\r\n\r\nDINNER, DINNER, DINNER, DINNER...\r\n\r\nHave you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?, Batman - The Movie is here. Two other Batman games have appeared from the Ocean stable over the last few years, the 3-D isometric puzzle game by Jon Ritman and Bernie Drummond and Batman - The Caped Crusader. But this third game is without doubt the best: Gotham City hoodlums are terrorised by a huge, sinister bat-like creature that apparently 'flies' and is impervious to bullets.\r\n\r\nThe general feeling within the police force - and indeed the national press - is that it's a figment of their imaginations, but during the raid on the Axis chemical plant by a Lieutenant Eckhardt a caped vigilante was indeed spotted in the gun battle that ensued between the officers of the law and the hoods commanded by Jack Napier (right-hand man to Carl Grissom - Gotham City's crime boss).\r\n\r\nThe plant is the game's first level, and Batman is clearly after Napier, but he has to overcome 60 screens filled with hoods, police officers, acid drops and gas from leaky pipes. A quick jab on the fire button launches one of the caped crusader's seemingly inexhaustible supplies of batarangs at attackers. Bullets are the projectiles hurled at Batman, his body armour stops a certain amount, but energy levels are soon exhausted, or if you fall too far from a platform.\r\n\r\nYes, you do have to act like a turbocharged gymnast, but you do have a gun which fires a rope upwards and allows you to clamber around like a black-clad swashbuckler. The level when Napier is faced and he disappears into a vat of chemicals. This you may think is the end of Napier, but surprisingly he survives and becomes one of the caped crusader's most dangerous foes - The Joker.\r\n\r\nIts not long afterwards that Batman rescues the beautiful photographer Vicki Vale from The Joker's villainous clutches while she's following up a lead on the Batman story at the Fleugelheim Museum. They escape in a vehicle dubbed the 'Batmobile' (in the film this impressive car was once a Corvette before it was ripped to shreds), and zip off down the streets of Gotham with the police in hot pursuit. Because of the immense speed of the car turns are impossible, but by shooting out a cable which snags a handy lamp post, Batman and Miss Vale make their escape.\r\n\r\nAlthough if a corner is missed, the car must be turned and headed into the oncoming traffic (which knocks up the damage meter), because if you continue hurtling down the road you eventually hit a roadblock. Meanwhile, with the Batmobile safely parked in the Batcave, Batman attempts to solve the riddle of the apparently random poisoning campaign waged by The Joker. According to Miss Vale's investigation three products have been contaminated, each one harmless on its own, but when the three are used together the victim kicks the bucket.\r\n\r\nIn a Mastermind-style game Batman has one minute to analyse the contents of a selection of products and determine which three are the dangerous samples. With his poisoning plan thwarted, The Joker resorts to organising a carnival in which he distributes dollar bills to an unsuspecting crowd as overhead hover balloons filled with Smilex poison. Batman's Batwing aircraft saves the evening as he uses its wingtips to cut the balloons mooring ropes. Peeved, to say the least, The Joker uses a BIG gun to knock the Batwing out of the sky.\r\n\r\nWhich leads to the final scene where The Joker takes refuge on the roof of the city cathedral. This massive 100-screen section is similar to the chemical plant section in as much as Batman uses the Batrope to climb to the top of the Cathedral, fighting off coppers and The Joker's men as he goes. Only when Batman reaches the roof can the Joker be disposed off and everyone live happily ever after.\r\n\r\nThe game is every bit as good as the film, better in fact, because some of the cinematic scenes dragged on a touch, while the game is action all the way. Bruce Wayne in his Batman costume is as sinister as ever, and on the other side of the coin The Joker is his usual evil self. I should nip out and buy this latest installment of life in Gotham City now.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"The monochromatic Batman sprite strides around with great zeal. The Joker's goons take life very seriously, and Batman's energy shoots down at an alarming rate (a nice touch on all versions is the energy bar: it starts off as Batman's face, but as energy drains it metamorphoses into The Joker's grinning face).","Page":"76,77","Denied":false,"Award":"The Games Machine Top Score","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"AMIGA\r\n\r\nOverall: 96%\r\n\r\nThe music is stunning. Its frantic pace in the poison identification scene, along with the pounding track accompanying the Batmobile escape are have to be heard to be believed. The graphics aren't slacking either, with the dark sinister mood of the film captured perfectly. A must for all Batfans."},{"Text":"AMSTRAD CPC\r\n\r\nOverall: 93%\r\n\r\nLittle more can be added to previous comments, except to add that the Amstrad version suffers minutely in comparison - certainly nothing to complain about."},{"Text":"COMMODORE 64/128\r\n\r\nOverall: 95%\r\n\r\nBatman comes across as appropriately darkly sinister. Both horizontally scrolling vehicle sections are superbly drawn and animated, and the sound in general is great. A must buy."},{"Text":"OTHER FORMATS\r\n\r\nThe Atari ST version should be available any day."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"95%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]