[{"TitleName":"Skull","Publisher":"Games Machine Ltd","Author":"I.C. Docherty","YearOfRelease":"1984","ZxDbId":"0004553","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 3, Apr 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-03-16","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":128,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Ltd.\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nTelephone numbers\r\nEditorial [redacted]\r\nSubscriptions [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\nHot Line [redacted]\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nColour origination by Scan Studio, [redacted]\r\nPrinted in England by Plymouth Web Offset Ltd, [redacted].\r\nDistribution by Comag, [redacted]\r\nAdditional setting and process work by The Tortoise Shell Press, [redacted].\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £9.00 UK Mainland (post free)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £15 (post free).\r\n\r\nWe cannot undertake to return any written or photographic material sent to CRASH MICRO unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Games Machine\r\nMemory Required: 48K\r\nRetail Price: £5.95\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\nAuthor: I.C. Docherty\r\n\r\nThe Skull comes complete with a keyboard overlay which can be cut out and stuck on card to slip over the Spectrum's keyboard, and a very comprehensive set of instructions and objectives. The format is a 3D maze with a claimed 9999 levels of maze and a possible top score of 999,999.\r\n\r\nYou start at the 'top' and always work down. There are two ways of descending a level, the hard way - fall down a pitfall and lose a life, and the proper way - use a trapdoor with a ladder. Other obstacles in the maze are portcullises which are often triggered by your passage, and the wandering skulls which kill on sight. What makes life bearable in this nightmare place is all the treasure lying around. It consists of crosses, keys, bronze and gold coins and pairs of gems. If you pick up a cross you are allowed 15 seconds, during which time the skulls appear with pairs of gems for eyes and are vulnerable to your attack. The keys let you open portcullises, only one per key, but doing so costs you some points.\r\n\r\nTreasure is picked up by occupying the square it sits in, and to the right of the playing area an inventory is kept. The cross flashes inversely during its last 5 seconds of useful life. Below the inventory a map appears with each new level, showing your location and that of obstacles, skulls and treasure. Unfortunately it only lasts for a few seconds, but only at the cost of some points accumulated. There is also a lucky charm bracelet below the playing area which shows the number of skulls in the maze. The playing area itself shows a simple outline 3D representation of the view ahead of you and coloured objects which may be picked up.\r\n\r\nFalling through a pitfall results in a series of flashing coloured boxes indicating your fall, whereas using a ladder results in a downward moving ladder to appear, while the next maze is randomly generated.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: cursors for direction, Map = 2, Open = 4\r\nJoystick: Protek, AGF or cursor clip on\r\nKeyboard play: responsive\r\nUse of colour good\r\nGraphics: very smoothly generated 3D although simple in construction\r\nSound: fair\r\nSkill levels: 1\r\nLives: 4\r\nScreens: 9,999\r\nFeatures: Save facility and 'merge' - hi-score save system","ReviewerComments":["As an idea, the game sounds easy at first, until you see the huge skulls which are chasing around after you. The graphics are good - detailed 3D with good use of colour - and the skulls are excellent. I thought this was the best maze game I've seen yet.\r\r\nUnknown","The use of colour is fairly good, but l was impressed by the speed of maze generation and the graphics of the skulls. The objective is straightforward - amass as many points as possible without losing a life, and l found it entertaining as a game, but it didn't have much lasting appeal for me. Directional movement is with the cursor keys, which isn't too bad as the pace is relatively slow, and there are others in use too, so the overlay is very useful.\r\r\nUnknown","The general presentation of this game is very good, nice instruction and hall of fame screens which split up into four sections and slide on or off at different angles. Because the 3D maze corridors are black and white, generations of each view is instantaneous, and it's possible to move through this maze at high speed, slowed only by the pitfalls or the trapdoors which have a 5 in 1 chance of opening up under you. The skulls are wonderful, sneakily sliding away behind walls, only to reappear behind you when you're not 'looking' for them. On the whole, the smoothest and cleverest maze game of its kind I have seen. I only wonder about rile general appeal and addictiveness of such games - but if you like the type, buy it.\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: A good maze game, with mixed feelings about its addictivity.","Page":"28","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Beware the looming Skull, its eyes may gleam, but its heart is cold."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"65%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"69%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"75%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"60%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"70%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"70%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Spectrum Issue 3, May 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-04-09","Editor":"Roger Munford","TotalPages":122,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Munford\r\nManaging Editor: Bruce Sawford\r\nDeputy Editor: Tina Boylan\r\nEditorial Assistant: Pete Shaw\r\nSoftware Consultant: Gavin Monk\r\nSub Editor: Nik Lumsden\r\nContributors: Phil Manchester, Ian Beardsmore, Ron Smith, Mike Mepham, Sandy Dewhurst, Colin Young, Andrew Wright, Richard Archdeacon, Stephen Adams, Damir Skrgatic, Dilwyn Jones, Simon Goodwin, Toni Baker, SQ Factor\r\nArt Editor: Jimmy Egerton\r\nArt Assistant: Steve Broadhurst\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Jeff Raggett\r\nAdvertisement Managers: Shane Campbell, Gill Harris, Jason Wood\r\nProduction Editor: Derek Cohen\r\nTypesetters: Beverley Douglas, Maggie Kayley, Velma Miller\r\nProduction Manager: Sonia Hunt\r\nGroup Art Director: Perry Neville\r\nPublisher: Stephen England\r\nDistribution Manager: Colin James\r\n\r\nPublished by Sportscene Specialist Press Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England. Telephone (all departments): [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Spectrum ©1984 Felden productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Spectrum is a monthly publication.\r\n\r\nCover photography by Ian McKinnell"},"MainText":"SKULL\r\nGames Machine\r\n£6.95\r\n\r\nThis is a 3D maze game in which the player has to collect coins, crosses, gemstones and keys that'll open gates. All the while one has to avoid the skulls that stay in constant pursuit.","ReviewerComments":["3D maze games may not be exactly new on the Spectrum, but this idea is - and it's also very exciting. Skull is not what is usually understood by the word colourful, but its use has produced some auietly stunning graphic effects.\n\n\r\nTony Samuels\r\n8/10","The instructions on the cassette insert are very comprehensive. There's also an keyboard overlay to help the player get the hang of the controls. Highly recommended.\r\nMark Knight\r\n9/10","The skulls come close to the standard of a professional illustration. The treasure doesn't reach the same standards of excellence, although it can still be identified.\n\n\r\nJohn Hall\r\n9/10"],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"67","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Tony Samuels","Score":"8","ScoreSuffix":"/10"},{"Name":"Mark Knight","Score":"9","ScoreSuffix":"/10"},{"Name":"John Hall","Score":"9","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 25, Apr 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-03-15","Editor":"Bill Scolding","TotalPages":148,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Bill Scolding\r\nDeputy Editor: Nicole Segre\r\nConsultant Editor: Mike Johnston\r\nManaging Production Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nSoftware Editor: John Gilbert\r\nProgram Reviewer: June Mortimer\r\nIllustrator/Designer: Brian King\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: John Ross\r\nSales Executive: Annette Burrows\r\nProduction Assistant: Dezi Epaminondou\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nManaging Editor: Nigel Clark\r\nAssistant Managing Director: Barry Hazel\r\nManaging Director: Terry Cartwright\r\nChairman: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by ECC Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nTelephone\r\nAll departments\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs, articles or ideas for hardware projects to:\r\nSinclair User and Programs\r\nECC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included.\r\n\r\nWe will pay £10 for the copyright of each program published and £50 per 1,000 words for each article used.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984\r\nSinclair User\r\nISSN NO. 0262-5458\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by Spotlight Magazine Distribution Ltd, [redacted]"},"MainText":"GRAPHICS REDEEM MAZE GAME\r\n\r\nMemory: 48K\r\nPrice: £6.95\r\n\r\nYet another three-dimensional maze. It is incredible that anyone with a sense of what the market expects should produce another maze game in which you move round collecting treasure and gaining points.\r\n\r\nThe damning criticism may be just a little too harsh - but only just. In Skull, for the 48K Spectrum, you also have to avoid the skulls with jewelled eyes which inhabit the complex and make sure that you do not get stuck in corners of the maze where bars fall from the ceiling.\r\n\r\nOne other problem you may encounter is the trapdoors which will open and close as if they had minds of their own.\r\n\r\nIf you solve one level of the complex the computer will transport you to another more difficult floor. When the game finishes you may be able to put your name on the high score table which takes your level number into account.\r\n\r\nThe graphics and the quick and easy response of the game are two factors in its favour. It is, however, difficult to find the instructions when playing. Skull is produced by Games Machine.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"38","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Gilbert Factor","Score":"5/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Big K Issue 3, Jun 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-05-20","Editor":"Tony Tyler","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Tony Tyler\r\nAssisted By: Richard Burton\r\nContributors: Paul Walton (Features); Paul Rambali (Arcades); Andy Green (Technical); Nicky Xikluna; Steve Keaton; David Rimmer; Richard Taylor; Bernard Turner; David Ellis; David Eastbury; Tony Benyon\r\nArt/Design: Central Art Studio\r\nGroup Art Editor: Doug Church\r\nGroup Advert Controller: Luis Bartlett\r\nPublishing Director: John Purdie\r\nEditorial Address: [redacted]\r\nTelephone: [redacted]\r\nAdvertising: Robin Johnson [redacted]\r\nFront Cover: Global Handshake by Ron Embleton\r\n\r\nPublished approximately on the 20th of each month by IPC Magazines Ltd. [redacted]. Monotone and colour origination by G.M. Litho Ltd [redacted]. Printed in England by Chase Web Offset, Cornwall. Sole Agents: Australia and New Zealand, Gordon& Gotch (A/sia) Ltd.; South Africa, Central News Agency Ltd. BIG K is sold subject to the following conditions, namely that it shall not, without the written consent of the Publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the cover, and that it shall not be lent, resold or hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated constitute or any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. IPC MAGAZINES 1984."},"MainText":"DEM BONES DEM BONES\r\n\r\nMAKER: Games Machine\r\nMACHINE: Spectrum 48K\r\nFORMAT: cassette\r\nPRICE: £6.95\r\n\r\nJust goes to show that there's still life in an old idea treated right. Skull's your basic 3D maze game but gussied up with a whole lot of glossy touches that make it more than halfway decent.\r\n\r\nGame object is to negotiate an infinite-level maze collecting treasure without losing lives, so racking up the highest score possible. Out to stop you doing this are all manner of hazards; pitfalls, trapdoors, portcullises and, of course, skulls.\r\n\r\nThese giant, creepy effigies (rendered in superb hi-res graphics) lurk round cornets and will suddenly appear in your path. If you hold one or more crosses the skulls will have gems set in their eye socket and you can obtain these by ploughing through the skull. But beware the skull with the empty eyes... confronting it will bring your quest to a swift and bloody end.\r\n\r\nWhat sets Skull head and shoulders above other 3D mazes is the attention to detail Games Machine have lavished on the game. Like the plan view of the whole maze that appears on screen at the start of each game, showing where the treasure lies and the skulls lurk, only to frustratingly disintegrate before your eyes after a few seconds. It can be called back again at any time but will cost you 25 points.\r\n\r\nOther noteworthy features include save and load facilities, printing out of screen images and a unique option to 'merge' high store tables.\r\n\r\nGraphically Skull is very slick. 100% machine code. Random maze generation. Stunning screen wipes. The whole presentation smacks of professionalism. (Other software houses please note.)\r\n\r\nA very credible first effort from Games Machine and hopefully a mark of the standard we can expect from future releases.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"28","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Richard Burton","Score":"2","ScoreSuffix":"/3"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"2/3","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair Programs Issue 20, Jun 1984","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1984-05-17","Editor":"Rebecca Ferguson","TotalPages":60,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Rebecca Ferguson\r\nConsultant Editor: John Campbell\r\nManaging Production Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nStaff Writer: June Mortimer\r\nDesign: Elaine Bishop\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Gary Price\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Frank Humphrey-Gaskin\r\nProduction Assistant: Dezi Epaminondou\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nManaging Editor: Nigel Clark\r\nManaging Director: Terry Cartwright\r\nAssistant Managing Director: Barry Hazel\r\nChairman: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nU.S. Press representative Mr J. Eisenberg, JE Publishers' representative, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair Programs is published monthly by ECC Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nTelephone [redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like your original programs to be published in Sinclair Programs, please send your contributions, which must not have appeared elsewhere, to\r\nSinclair Programs\r\nEEC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included. We pay £10 for the copyright of each program published.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984 Sinclair Programs\r\nISSN No. 0263-0265\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by: Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by Spotlight Magazine Distribution Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCover Design: Ivan Hissey"},"MainText":"The Skull, by Games Machine, appears to be a three-dimensional version of Pac-man-type game. The aim is to move round a three-dimensional maze, amassing points by collecting as much treasure as possible.\r\n\r\nAlso wandering round the maze are a series of large skulls, which will kill the hapless player who meets them. They can be killed only if the player has recently picked up a cross.\r\n\r\nThe maze is on several levels. Movement from one to another is by accident through a broken trapdoor, or by design down a ladder.\r\n\r\nThe graphics and screen layout are good, the movement is smooth. Maze games, however, both twoand three-dimensional, have become commonplace on the Spectrum and The Skull has no features which make it stand out from the other games of its type.\r\n\r\nThe Skull is produced for the 48K Spectrum by Games Machine Ltd, [redacted] and costs £6.95.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"29","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"June Mortimer","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer News Issue 65, Jun 1984","Price":"","ReleaseDate":"1984-06-16","Editor":"Cyndy Miles","TotalPages":58,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editorial\r\nEditor: Cyndy Miles\r\nManaging Editor: Peter Worlock\r\nSub-Editors: Harriet Arnold, Leah Batham\r\nNews Editor: David Guest\r\nNews Writer: Ralph Bancroft\r\nFeatures Editor: John Lettice\r\nSoftware Editor: Bryan Skinner\r\nPeripherals Editor: Ken Garroch\r\nListings Editor: Wendie Pearson\r\nPrograms Editor: Nickie Robinson\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nArt Editor: David Robinson\r\nAssistant Art Editor: Floyd Sayers\r\nPublisher: Mark Eisen\r\nPublishing Assistant: Jenny Dunne\r\nGroup Publisher: John Cade\r\nPublishing Admin: Jackie Searle\r\n\r\nAdvertising\r\nGroup Advertising Manager: Duncan Brown\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Bettina Williams\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Sarah Barron\r\nSales Executives: Christian McCarthy, John Bryan, Laura Cade, Paul Evans, Debbie Quinn, Yvonne Charatynowicz\r\nProduction: Nikki Payne\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Karen Isaac\r\nSubscription Enquiries: Gill Stevens\r\nSubscription Address: [redacted]\r\nEditorial Address: [redacted]\r\nAdvertising Address: [redacted]\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]\r\n© VNU 1983. No material maybe reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\nPhotoset by Quickset, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Chase Web Offset, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Seymour Press, [redacted]\r\nRegistered at the PO as a newspaper"},"MainText":"Skull, £6.95, Games Machine, [redacted], mail order/retail.\r\n\r\nSKULL\r\n\r\nAs 3D mazes go, this one from Games Machine goes very well indeed. You are presented with a ground level perspective view or a randomly generated maze. Strewn around are crosses, keys, gems and coins which you strive to collect. Keys lock and unlock portcullises while crosses help to deal with huge diamond-eyed skulls that you encounter.\r\n\r\nSkull is beautifully presented with clear instructions and a range of options.\r\n\r\nOverall, it's an impressive and enjoyable game.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"42","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Bob Chappell","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]