Roland in the Caves

Copyright : Amsoft | Reviewed by : Ritchardo

You are far ahead in time, the year 2464AD and your Space Time Machine has landed on an alien planet. You are able to mutate into the alien beingâ??s minute and flea like form on this mysterious planet of Ivorus. However, during your exploration, you take an unexpected trip and fall down and down and down through a deep and dark pothole into a strange cave. All around you are flesh-eating plants, not to mention a hungry pterodactyl. The only thing that can save you are your incredible jumping abilities.

Graphics

Lots of greens, blues and purples make up the colour palette of Indescompâ??s bizarre addition to the Roland series. Roland (as unsatisfactorily explained in the instructions) doesnâ??t look human. Or like an animal. Instead heâ??s a blue thing with unconvincing jumping dynamics and blighted by some very poor and jerky scrolling.

In short the graphics are basic. Not offensively bad â?? just unremarkably poor.

Sound

Upon loading, you are immediately blasted with an impromptu interpretation of â??La Cocurachaâ?? that will make you want to dig out your sombrero and scream â??Ariba!â?? at the top of your lungsâ?¦ Yes, if you were in any doubt RITC is very Spanish! The sound effects are fairly good too with the right dose of arcade pings accompanying Rolandâ??s leaps of faith. Undoubtedly the best thing about this game.

Gameplay

One of the most frustrating games to grace the CPC, Roland in the Caves involves the player bouncing from platform to platform trying to avoid a pterodactyl and some plantsâ?¦ ehâ?¦ and thatâ??s it! Over and over and over again! As far as I can see, the game is impossible to complete as it simply loops around itself and with only one cave there is little in the way of variety to keep you amused.

The jumping control is difficult to judge and will lead to many a death before you even have the chance to take a look around.

In the end, Roland in the Caves is too difficult and ultimately unrewarding to even be bothered with. Play once for nostalgia and then confine to the great wastepaper bin in the sky.