Roland in the Caves

Copyright : Amsoft | Reviewed by : Patrick Furlong

All users of the 464 will know this game very well - it was one of the games given away with it! This is one of the games, along with Roland on the Ropes and Sultans Maze in that collection that I would play a lot. Roland?s time machine has taken him back to prehistoric times and you end up falling into caves which you must escape while avoiding pits of acid and pterdactals.

Graphics

MODE 0 graphics are used here, which are pretty basic, but because this is 1984 and one of the first CPC games, that can be forgiven. The sprite used for Roland is nice and the pterdactal is very well done. The landscape is also very well done and the speed is nice and quick.

Sound

A tune plays on the title screen but it is so rubbish, you will pefer to listen to the loading noise! There is a good jumping sound for when Roland jumps, but that?s about it.

Gameplay

The game is tricky to get into at first because keyboard control is being used but as you get into it, you will want to play it again and again in order to avoid the pterdactal! It can get frustrating when you get so near the exit and the pterdactal gets you or you land in an acid pit. Your jumps have to be powered right otherwise you could jump into the acid pit or into the mouth of the pterdactal - that?s happened to me most of the time!

OVERALL

Roland in the Caves is rubbish by today?s standards, even to CPC standards from 1986 onwards, but seeing this was one of the first CPC games, the quality can be forgiven. I found this game very good and I enjoyed it.

PS: Is it embarrasing that my six year old daughter can do better than me on this game?