[{"TitleName":"The Famous Five 1","Publisher":"Enigma Variations Ltd","Author":"Colin Jordan","YearOfRelease":"1991","ZxDbId":"0006284","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 89, Jun 1991","Price":"£2.99","ReleaseDate":"1991-05-23","Editor":"Richard Eddy","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Richard Eddy\r\nSub Editor: Warren Lapworth\r\nStaff Writers: Mark Caswell, Nick Roberts, Lloyd Mangram\r\nArt Editor: Mark Kendrick\r\nPhotography: Michael Parkinson\r\nProduction and Circulation Director: Jonathan Rignall\r\nSystems Operator: Paul (Charlie) Chubb\r\nReprographics: Matthew Uffindell (Supervisor), Robert Millichamp, Robb Hamilton, Tim Morris, Jenny Reddard\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Judith Bamford\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executive: Christine Moore\r\nAdvertisement Production: Jackie Morris (Supervisor), Joanne Lewis\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: Caroline Edwards [redacted]\r\n\r\nTypesetting Apple Macintosh Computers using Quark Express and Bitstream Fonts.\r\n\r\nSystems Manager: Ian Chubb\r\n\r\nColour origination Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by BPCC Business Magazines (Carlisle) Ltd, [redacted].\r\n\r\nDistributor COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nYearly subscription rates: UK £17.20 Europe £24.00, Air Mail overseas £37. US/Canada subscriptions and back issues enquiries Barry Hatcher, British Magazine Distributors Ltd [redacted]. Yearly subscription rates US$47.00, Canada CAN$57.00 Back Issues US$5.20, Canada CAN$6.20 (inclusive of postage). \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 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 us a line). No person who is related, no matter how remotely, 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 on 35mm transparencies is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Copy published in CRASH will be edited as seen fit and payment will be calculated according to the current printed word rate. The views expressed in CRASH are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nCopyright CRASH Ltd 1991 A Newsfield Publication. ISSN 0954-8661. Cover design and illustration by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Enigma Variations\r\n£10.99\r\n\r\nGood grief! A real, honest to goodness, commercial text/graphics adventure! Hurrah! Who needs those fancy film and arcade licences, eh? Not when you've got Enid Blyton on your side, chaps. Oh, and the Famous Five, of course.\r\n\r\nFive on a Treasure Island is an engaging adventure that includes some intriguing character handling, using a system called Worldscape. The game begins when Julian, Anne and Dick travel to Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny's house (what was Enid thinking of when she created these characters?!). This is the very first Five adventure so they've yet to meet George, the tomboy girl, and her dog, Timmy. From there they worm their way onto treasure island, full of stereotyped villains and secret caves.\r\n\r\nThe game world is dynamic which means events move on while you wait. I'm not a big fan of this type of wandering character system; it doesn't present realism - just an impression of a game full of aimless manic zombies.\r\n\r\nYou can TELL and SAY things to characters as well as ASKing them ABOUT things. Characters have their own special facets so you can ask a character to perform an action you might not be capable of.\r\n\r\nYou can also BECOME any of the Famous Five (except the dog). Each character has their own advantages: Julian is strong while George is the best swimmer. You can even split the Five up to explore several directions at once and this is essential to solve some of the problems.\r\n\r\nThe parser is up to modern standards with linked sentences using AND, THEN and commas. Prepositions can be used to alter the meaning of verbs, and group commands such as ALL and EVERYTHING are included.\r\n\r\nDuring play, the screen is divided into two sections. The upper portion of the screen contains all descriptions, messages and graphics, which pop up for selected locations. They're very well drawn and appear instantly on-screen - pretty good going for graphics of this complexity. The lower section is the text input area.\r\n\r\nHighlights and criticisms fall upon the parser. When you can't examine something, the word EXAM is automatically displaced, ready for you to EXAMine something else - very thoughtful and user-friendly. But the parser doesn't understand some basic words included in the location descriptions although memory restrictions may be a factor here.\r\n\r\nCriticisms apart, this is a well produced game with lots of imaginative production techniques. Let's hope there are some more Famous Five games on the way, eh?","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Imaginative, well designed but with one or two minor quirks.","Page":"45","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Paul Rigby","Score":"81","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"We're at the seaside (hurrah!) and we've just punched Dick (double-hurrah! He's an annoying git)."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Presentation","Score":"77%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"84%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"N/A","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"81%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictivity","Score":"82%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"81%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 66, Jun 1991","Price":"£1.95","ReleaseDate":"1991-05-02","Editor":"Andy Ide","TotalPages":84,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Andy Ide\r\nArt Editor: Sal Meddings\r\nGames Editor: James Leach\r\nStaff Writer: Linda Barker\r\nDesign Assistant: Andy Ounsted\r\nAdvertising Manager: Simon Moss\r\nDeputy Advertising Manager: Philip Davenport\r\nProduction Coordinator: Melissa Parkinson\r\nPublisher: Jane Richardson\r\nPublishing Assistant: 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: Robert Bliss\r\nISSN 0269 6983\r\nABC July-Dec 1990 60,368\r\n\r\nYS comes to you from the same folks who 'knock out' Commodore Format, ST Format, Amiga Format, New Computer Express, Amstrad Action, MacPublishing, Classic CD, PC Plus, 8000 Plus & Sega Power, Amiga Power, Amiga Shopper & Needlecraft"},"MainText":"Enigma\r\n£9.99 cass/£14.99 disk\r\nReviewer: Linda Barker\r\n\r\nWhat a life! Imagine spending all summer quaffing ginger beer and bathing in clear blue seas. After lunch there's time to visit some scary dungeons, search for treasure and outwit a few baddies. And then it's home for an absolutely massive spread of cream and scones! Well, now you can do more than just imagine it, folks - you can actually become it (so to speak), with Enigma Variation's Five On A Treasure Island. Hurrah!\r\n\r\nEverybody should know who the Famous Five are but just in case you've had a deprived childhood let's recap. Basically, they're 4 children (and a dog called Timmy!) known throughout the world for their brave exploits and cunning plans. Treasure Island's their first adventure, in which Julian, Anne and Dick are packed off to their relations (while their parents skive oft to Scotland), and team up with their scowling tomboy cousin, George.\r\n\r\nEEK! AN ADVENTURE GAME!\r\n\r\nNow, for most of us, a good holiday is one where we do absolutely nothing except sleep, drink and eat. But the Famous Five aren't like other people, because they can't go anywhere without finding themselves in the thick of a mysterious adventure!\r\n\r\nWhat the game involves is you getting mixed up in strange doings on Kirrin island. Basically, you have to find a treasure map and, erm, follow the instructions- piece of cake. Except it isn't. Especially if you've got about as much idea about adventures as I've got about the breeding habits of the cabbage aphid (ie, not an awful lot, matey!). It was a bit lucky then that Mike Gerrard just happened to have written a Beginners Guide To Adventures for us this month (see p60), which I ploughed through with enormouse zest (although it probably did absolutely zilch for my gameplaying!)\r\n\r\nAnyway, you start the game as Julian but you can swop characters as and when. This means you can send all of them off on separate missions and then get them to meet up later. All have distinct characteristics which make them suitable for different tasks (but don't worry if you haven't read the books - just Examine someone and you'll get the lowdown on them. Actually, it's a good idea to use Examine on everyone, to find out if they can tell you anything or do something for you - like make a scrummy chocolate cake!).\r\n\r\nMost adventure games are quite dull in the graphics department but here they've perked things up a bit by including some pretty pictures. (Not that it makes an enormous difference but it's nice all the same!) The screen is split into 2 parts - the larger top part tells you where you are, which direction you can follow etc, and the bottom bit is where you type in your commands.\r\n\r\nWHO AM I?\r\n\r\nAs I said, I'd never played an adventure game before so I was expecting something really dull. And unless you're a seasoned player, then, of course, Treasure Island is going to take you ages to get through. But I had a great time! I didn't move from the Speccy for hours! (Except to go to the loo, hem hem.)\r\n\r\nThe main reason why it works so well for a beginner is that it's easy to grasp and there are lots of helpful touches (plus it's fun!). If you get confused about who you are just type in WHO and you'll find out. And if you're not clear about what you're allowed to do, type in V and you're given a list of verbs.\r\n\r\nFive On A Treasure Island makes you want to find out what's round the next corner. It could be an ingot, a locked dungeon or even an ice-cream van. Gee, these kids really know how to have fun - and I'm jolly well off for another go!","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"Really nice adventure game. Easy to understand, plenty of action, and good for beginners.","Page":"56","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Linda Barker","Score":"83","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"And here's the place where you get to spend the whole of the summer hols. What fun!"},{"Text":"Golly! The summer hols are just beginning. And already all the excitement is making me a bit peckish."},{"Text":"Hurrah! It's been a long and dusty journey, but a least we're at Killin Station. And what a lovely station it is too, eh, Spec-chums? (Make sure you take not of the direction.) Now where's Aunt Fanny?"},{"Text":"Uncle Quentin's study. So no touching."}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"FIVE ALIVE!\r\n(Well, 4 actually. But you're not allowed to be the dog!)\r\n\r\nJulian\r\nJolly decent chap, ahoy! Julian is the oldest, the cleverest, the most sensible and the strongest of the Famous Five. He's always incredibly polite and your mother would love him.\r\n\r\nDick\r\nDick's a bit of a greedy-guts so you've got to watch him with the sandwiches! But despite his massive food intake, he's a bit of a skinny runt - and so comes in very handy when you need someone to crawl through small holes!\r\n\r\nGeorge\r\nGeorge is absolutely fearless! There's no place or no one she's scared of. (And she's also the best swimmer.) She can be a bit of a pain at first but once you've made friends with her you've got a pal for life. Yep, she's a darned good egg, is George. (Though why anyone should hate being a girl is beyond me!)\r\n\r\nAnne\r\nAnne is the youngest, the weakest and the least brave. And she's also incredibly bad at keeping secrets. But that doesn't mean she's crap! In fact, Anne's a bit of a sweetie. Nobody could ever be horrible to her (unless they were completely heartless beasts)."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Life Expectancy","Score":"83%","Text":""},{"Header":"Instant Appeal","Score":"86%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"50%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"86%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"83%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 114, Aug 1991","Price":"£1.85","ReleaseDate":"1991-07-15","Editor":"Garth Sumpter","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Garth 'Cuban Heels' Sumpter\r\nDesign Editor: Andrea 'Overtime' Walker\r\nDesign: Yvette 'Vegetable rights & peace' Nicholls\r\nStaff Writers: Steve 'Sub burn' Keen, Matt 'Yo babe!' Regan\r\nSU Crew: Alan 'Back to my place' Dykes, Graham 'Diamond' Mason\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Jerry 'Sun tan' Hall\r\nAd Production: Jo 'Trainee' Gleissner\r\nMarketing Dept: Marc 'Goodtimes' Swallow, Sarah '0898' Ewing, Sarah 'I've got a secret' Hillard\r\nPublisher: Graham 'No expense spared' Taylor\r\nManaging Director: Terry 'Organised' Pratt\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\n\r\nReproduction of any part of this magazine without the written consent of Garth, Andrew, Steve, Matt, Allan and Mr Ben will result in something really utterly nasty happening, I can jolly well tell you. Either that or Garth will file down your teeth with an electric cattle prod whilst Matt sings acoustic Des O'Connor numbers and tickles your particulars with a herring. If you want to reproduce our mag after all this then you're a very sick, sick person indeed and should seek medical attention immediately, that's what we do. Oh, just as we were going to press, Yvette, our design assistant, got very poorly and had to go to hospital. We'd all like to wish here a speedy recovery. If you want to send her a line or something to keep her amused while she gets better then cheer her up and write to her in her sick bed. Whoever sends the letter that cheers her up the most will receive £50s worth of games. Till then... byeee!"},"MainText":"Label: Enigma Variations\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nPrice: £10.99 Tape, £n/a Disk\r\nReviewer: Alan Dykes\r\n\r\nHurrah for cucumber sandwiches and ginger beer! It's Julian, Dick, and Anne, George and Timmy the dog, better known to millions as the Famous Five - in their first adventure. Hurrah again! Now could someone please get Timmy off my leg?\r\n\r\nHaving been brought up on a diet of The Secret Seven and The Famous Five, books and on T.V., I was absolutely delighted to see this role playing game arriving on the Ikea telephone table that Steve and I share as a desk. It takes a long time to load this game, as it is only available on tape, but, for most, it's probably worth the wait.\r\n\r\nFive On A Treasure Island represents the first ever adventure that the famous five had as a team. The game starts out with Julian, Dick and Anne sitting on a tram on the way to the seaside village of Kirrin where their Uncle Quentin, Aunt Fanny and Cousin Georgina live. Good old Fanny (What!) will meet you at the station and the plot thickens from there on. Many questions need to be answered, why is Uncle Quentin so moody, why does Georgina, thenceforth known as George), want to be a boy, why does she keep scowling at Dick and what is so Mysterious about Kirrin Island.\r\n\r\nYour opening character is Julian, the eldest, and allegedly the most sensible, but you can interchange between the main four characters, (though not Timmy, I was disappointed to note). The game-play is very interactive, consisting of a typed conversation between you and your Spectrum, which controls what happens. The computer recognises thirteen special commands, 33 accepted verbs, and a wide range of sentence structures. It also recognises words abbreviated to the first four letters, which considerably speeds things up. Be warned though - this control method can prove cumbersome at times! There are also valuable save options available.\r\n\r\nThe characters can interact with any others they meet and can pick up, use, examine, or abuse almost any object which they stumble upon, in other words the scope for frolics, fun and exploration is almost unlimited. Graphics are restricted to colourful views of significant places, eg the cottage, island etc., otherwise the screen is all dialogue. The size of this game cannot be underestimated so don't expect to finish it in a mere one or two sittings unless you're name happens to be Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes.\r\n\r\nFive On A Treasure island is a logical step in the continuing popularity of these famous adventure tales. It won't suit everyone because it doesn't have dragons or ninjas, and even Timmy the dog doesn't even bite people or attack their wellies, however, for those who want a challenging change or anyone who has read or is reading the books, it's just the business. Hurrah again chaps and let's go to Fanny's for a slap-up feed!","ReviewerComments":["Jolly good show old stick, apart from sometimes frustrating keyboard conversations with the program, Five On A Treasure island will make a nice addition to your RPG collection, and will probably keep your Dad happy too.\r\nAndrea Walker"],"OverallSummary":"Golly gosh, get the pimple cream out again Dick. Although a little slow, this game's faithful to all the Famous Five books giving hours of innocent enjoyment and problem solving.","Page":"32","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Alan Dykes","Score":"80","ScoreSuffix":"%"},{"Name":"Andrea Walker","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"I say Timmy, not on Uncle Quentin's roses!"},{"Text":"Jolly bad show chaps, who pulled the stop chord?"},{"Text":"Ohh lovely blue sea, who's got their swimming trunks?"}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"FIVE FAX\r\n\r\nThe Famous Five are possibly the most successful of Enid Blyton's many creations, and that's no mean feat. The books sell over Seven Million (count 'em) copies each year.\r\n\r\nA television series based on the five friends was released over a decade ago and is still shown new or repeated wherever the books are available, and that's worldwide!\r\n\r\nEnid Blyton began to write children's stories when she herself was young and continued to dedicate the rest of her life to entertaining books, with many different well loved characters."}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"74%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"N/A","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"81%","Text":""},{"Header":"Lastability","Score":"88%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"80%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]