REVIEW SECTION ________________________________________________________________ Hello, I'm Gareth Pitchford and, as Phil has probably told you, I'm the guy responsible for the review section from now on. As space is short I'd best cut the introductory waffle and move on... This time's section sees everything slightly re-organised. We're trying to make the section more of a 'new game' one but we also want to include reviews of older titles that you may have missed first time round (these appear as 'REPLAY REVIEWS'). From next issue we'll also be looking at a 'classic' title in depth. We'd appreciate your help in this by sending your comments on the chosen game (or even a mini review). For our first 'GAME FOCUS' we'll be looking at 'THE AXE OF KOLT' - Larry Horsfield's epic game which recently was awarded 'Best Multi-Part Adventure of 1991', 2nd Place in 'The Best Game Of MORE >>>> All Time' sectiom in the 'FROM BEYOND' awards and 'BEST (TEXT ONLY) 8-BIT ADVENTURE' in ADVENTURE PROBE's annual awards. Is it as good as they all say, or greatly over-rated?. We want to know what YOU think. Thanks to everyone who helped me out with my first section (You know who you are) and made it as big as it is (Oo-er)!. But we still need YOUR contributions! Send in your reviews, no matter how long of short they are, of any adventure you've recently played and I'll do my best to see that it's printed. Don't worry that somebody else might be reviewing the same game as you - The more reviews of one game that I get, the better, as I'll feature one persons main review then edit in other peoples comments after it. This will hopefully give a wide variety of views on one game. And if you disagree with one of our reviews - write in and tell us why. In fact, why not voice your opinion in a review of your own? MORE >>>> After each review you'll find a 'Softography' with little personal snippets about the author, what their next game is and what else they've written. I hope you like this idea. This time we've also introduced a 'QUICKIE REVIEWS' section in which we'll be featuring shorter reviews (minus the usual screenshots) of various titles. This issue we're looking at some of the games on Tony Collins' 'GUILD' label. To finish off this little bit of text - Remember, When you order a game from the various Indies, let them know that you own a Sam. Who knows, maybe they'll consider writing games for the Sam if enough people mention it to them! _______________________________________________________________ REVIEWing the situation.... _______________________________________________________________ With news of a Sam adventure creator it looks like there could MORE >>>> be a load of Sam games being written soon. Does this mean that we'll stop covering Spectrum adventures? The answer is "No". Our aim is to cover ANY adventures that will run on the Sam - though we will, of course, give priority and disk space to Sam specific titles. Your comments on the above would be most welcome as would any suggestions for improving the reviewing system. I don't think that we should introduce a rating system, but members are free to include 'marks' with their reviews if they wish. What do you think of the idea of printing hints and tips (in coded form) with the reviews? 'Red Herring' magazine does this and it seems to be quite popular. I do feel that too many can spoil the game, but how about if we include a 'Getting started' guide? i.e. the first few moves. I'm sure we all know the feeling of shelling out for a new game only to find ourselves stuck in the first location! Perhaps if there is a maze in the game the route through it could be printed - afterall, not all people like mazes (I used to detest them but now I've got the hang of them I put up with them!) MORE >>>> As I mentioned, YOUR views on the review section would be most welcome. You can send all your comments and contributions to the usual address or write to me direct, if you wish. My address is:- GARETH PITCHFORD, 45 UNDERWOOD DRIVE, WHITBY, ELLESMERE PORT, SOUTH WIRRAL. L65 9BH. If you can send any reviews as an OUTWRITE or TASWORD 2 file I'd be most grateful, though handwritten or typed material is just as welcome. (Also, Spectrum files for WORDMASTER or TASWORD +3 would be fine). That's all of my waffle for this issue. Next issue should have less of it and more reviews. So, till next time, Best Wishes, Gareth Pitchford. Ellesmere Port. 6th. March, 1992. *** --- ***