A new concept in adventures hits your screen. This stunning game has a unique method of command input (unique to adventure games at least) -- it makes extensive use of icons, a feature usually only found in business software.

An icon, for the uninitiated, is a picture symbol depicting an object to be manipulated. The action or object required can be accessed by moving a cursor onto the symbol representing it.

This symbol is then highlighted in some way, so as to let you know it's been selected, and on pressing the fire button the feature will be activated. As confusing and awkward as this may seem, it has the great advantage of completely avoiding text input. Using just the joystick a player can work through amazingly complex adventure situations.

The icons also have the effect of giving the program an incredibly slick and original feel.

Shadowfire. The Physiological scan screen.

The scenario is set far into the future. The Kryxix ambassador has been kidnapped by the evil General Zoff, dictator of the cosmos, and is being held on an alien spaceship. You control a team of six tough heroes whose mission is to infiltrate the ship and rescue the ambassador from execution, thus preventing the outbreak of war.

The mission starts on board the Enigma Ship, as depicted in graphical splendour on loading. The first task is to get the team beamed into the Zoff 5 spaceship, where the ambassador is being held. Once inside the enemy ship, the ambassador must be located from amongst the 160 or so locations, rescued, and taken to safely. All this must be achieved in the time limit of 100 minutes, which count down in real time.

The game is actually played by alternating between five different menu screens, all icon based. (For details, see panel).

Each member of the team has their own strength, agility, and stamina, all of which determine the weight of objects that can be carried. They also have individual skills, such as Sevrina who is an expert at picking locks. If a character carries more than their physique allows, then they will become tired easily, eventually dying if appropriate action isn't taken.

Combat control screen. The red box bottom left reveals the objects and characters in your location. The three icons in the right hand box are top to bottom: Attack, Defend, Retreat. The arrows in the centre allow you to look in any of the eight neighbouring locations without actually moving there.

The graphics in this game are brilliant. The icons are clear and well defined, as are the superb pictures of the team displayed on the character scan.

Sound is in the form of two musical sound tracks -- one whilst selecting your input device and another during the actual game itself. Both pieces are excellent and being able to change the tone on the latter tune is a great touch.

Other sounds include a tone to let you know when you've selected an icon, and a pulsating, persistent beeping in the background (Makes a good backing for the music, though).

Instructions are lengthy but comprehensive and there's an excellent demo mode to help you along, if things still seem a little confused.

GP
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actual bond between yourself and the six characters. Recommended heartily to experienced game players who want to try something new.
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The five selection screens

1. The main screen is the CHARACTER MENU, in which you select the character you wish to communicate with. The six characters are shown on the bottom half of the screen -- any one can be selected with the cursor.

In the top left corner of the screen there is the character mode indicator. This shows smaller icons of the six members of the team and their status, represented by a certain colour. For instance, if Sevrina is picking a lock, her character mode character will turn green, if she were moving it would be white, and if she were weakening it would be grey.

In the top centre of the screen is the radar display. On selecting a member of the team, this will reveal a radar icon of the relevant character and a picture of his current location, then the icon will flash through images of those present.

To the right top is the current character indicator, showing (in superb high-resolution) the character presently being commanded.

2. The PSYCHOLOGICAL SCAN AND INFORMATION SCREEN shows the physical status of the character being used (strength, agility, and stamina) and allows access to further control -- the other three screens. These are obtained by selecting one of three coloured monitors.

3. The yellow monitor is selected for OBJECT CONTROL. Any objects and persons in the same location will be displayed to the far left of the screen. If there are more than will fit a display, then a 'turn page' icon is displayed, allowing viewing of the remaining objects, etc.

Objects can be taken, dropped, and used by selecting the correct icon. Not all objects can be taken, and some can only be used by specific characters. The only person, for example, who is capable of operating the transporter is Manto. Each object has a weight grouping -- heavy, medium, and light, and each weapon has a different attribute.

4. The red monitor moves you to PERSONNEL OR COMBAT CONTROL, and is used primarily for combat. It also gives further information on other characters present. Anyone currently occupying the same location will be displayed on the screen. Any member of your team can attack, defend, or retreat, and combat strength and the presence of a weapon are taken into consideration in determining the result.

5. Finally, the green monitor is for LOCATION CONTROL, and allows movement to other locations. The eight directions of the compass are displayed with arrows, and possible exits are displayed as full arrows. In some cases locks will need picking to gain access to further locations. A brief text description of the location is also displayed.
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Htmlized by Dimitris Kiminas (30 April 2001)

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