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Sabre Wulf is one of the all-time classic Spectrum
games originally from Ultimate, and now, after a year's
wait, it has finally been converted to the Commodore.
The
game is a 2D maze arcade adventure where the object
is to enter a jungle, find the four separate pieces
of the ACG (Ashby Computers & Graphics -- or Ultimate
to you) Sabre Wulf amulet and escape. The jungle is
made up from 256 screens which 'flick' as you go from
one location to another. Thy majority of these being
maze-like paths that have to be rigorously followed.
Most paths will lead you either to a dead end, usually
a swamp of pond, or to a clearing. If you find the correct
path though, it'll lead you to the place of the Guardian
where you'll be able to escape if you have all four
amulet pieces. The pieces are always located in four
of the 16 clearings, so it's advisable to head towards
these rather than follow paths blindly.
No
jungle is complete without its animals, and this one
is no exception. There are plenty of deadly jungle animals
lurking in the foliage, must of which can he killed
with your sword. These animals range from spiders and
fleas to porcupines and gibbons.
There
are some creatures living in the jungle, however, that
can't be killed with your sabre. These are the most
deadly and usually catch you by surprise by hiding off
screen, so as soon as you enter a new one, they'll get
you. These rotters include the tribesmen, hippos, rhinos
and the Sabre Wulf himself, who runs after you and tries
to pounce and maul you to death.
Most
of the jungle fauna forms a border to the path and can't
be entered, but one plant, the orchid, does grow on
the path itself. These come in five species -- red,
blue, yellow, purple and white. They are all harmless
and do in fact aid you during the game if you step on
them when they're in full bloom.
Red,
blue and purple ones make you invulnerable to the touch
of any animal, although blue speeds you up and purple
reverses the controls. Yellow orchids are slightly poisonous,
one touch and you'll have to sit down for a little while
to recover. White ones are an antidote to any other
orchid.
Dotted
about the maze are different objects that you can pick
up to add points to your score; these being things like
sabres, rings and packets. There are also extra lives
in the form of voodoo dollies that provide much needed
extra gameplay.
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