Chip's Challenge

When you couple the control with the fact that Chip's Challenge has over 140 different levels to try out, this game easily becomes one of the Lynx's true gems. The learning curve is perfect for newcomers and old-puzzlers alike, and fun can be found for all ages in it. Chip's Challenge can be found quite cheap now, and for the price should suit any Lynx addicts card slot just perfectly.

Wow! Wer sich nur einwenig mit dem Spielprinzip anfreunden kann, der sollte sich nach dem Erwerb für die nächsten Abende nichts vornehmen. Die gekonnte Mischung aus Puzzle Elementen und Geschicklichkeit machen die Cart zu wohl einer der besten auf dem Lynx. Angesichts der Tatsache, das Chip's Challenge auch noch relativ häufig und günstig zu finden ist, sollte es sich wirklich kein Lynx-Besitzer entgehen lassen!

Wer sich an den Computerspiele-Klassiker "Snake Byte" von Sirius Software erinnert, dem wird er Name Chuck Sommerville bekannt vorkommen. Er schuf diesen Hit und legt mit "Chip's Challenge" für das Lynx sein neuestes Werk vor. Chuck hat sich dabei von anderen erfolgreichen Programmen ordentlich inspirieren lassen. Erprobte Spielelemente aus "Boulder Dash" und "Sokoban" sowie eigene, neue Ideen geben sich in 144 Leveln die Ehre.

Spielerisch wie technisch gleicht die ST-Version dem Amiga-Vorgänger, das schließt leider auch die ruckelnde Grafik und die etwas uninspirierte Musikbegleitung ein. Den Spielspaß mindert das zum Glück nicht im geringsten: Über 140 Kobel-Level fordern Geschicklichkeit und Grübelfähigkeiten.

Es klappt fast immer: Fragt man einen beliebigen Lynx-Fan, warum er sich die tragbare Spielekonsole von Atari gekauft hat, dann taucht in den meisten Fällen ein ganz bestimmter Name auf: "Chip's Challenge" von Epyx. Man nehme einen Haufen Schiebekisten aus "Sokoban", baue Elemente aus "Boulder Dash" und "Bombuzal" ein und installiere alles auf einer Spielfläche, die in ihrer Komplexität an "Rock'n Roll" erinnert. Die fertige Mischung ist aus der Vogelperspektive zu sehen. Nun können auch Computerspieler auf die gehirnerweichende Suche nach den verlorengegangenen Mikrochips gehen.

On a handheld that offered very little in quality games, Chip's Challenge is probably one of the best Lynx games that I've played. It's addicting, simple, and will keep you busy for however long you're willing to be kept, and will allow you to waste time on those boring business trips, instead of just in the office. If you're a fan of the PC version, as every good human should be, and you've got a lonely Atari Lynx sitting in your closet, hunt this one down.

Of course, don't expect too much from the graphics - they're very simple (you might even say crap). The graphics window is pretty titchy as well - probably because the Speccy's memory is so preoccupied with the puzzles themselves. Still, presentation is generally quite good and anyway, we musn't grumble 'cos it's the gameplay that we're really after here. And it's darned good gameplay. Each level has that kind of 'kick' quality that boots you into the next one once you've finished it, and stacked together they're bound to have you going for hours on end. In fact, it's just the sort of game you don't really need to play on an Amiga or anything posh because it's the puzzles that you're really buying, not the graphics. On a general level, it probably has more lasting appeal as a 'hand-held' simply because it's so 'bitty', but it'll certainly grab you for quite a while whatever machine you've got, that's for sure. Nothing amazingly new or anything, just really juicy and addictive.

I give this game a 4 because it was a great game for 1989; however, despite the monsters and unexpected bits, it can become monotonous collecting chips. It’s quite difficult to pass the later levels and takes a lot of time and patience. What would be great is a level builder, but this game doesn’t have one.

The Lynx was originally designed for fast arcade-action games, but there's no reason why it can't expand its range. With a lot of variety, a lot of difficulty, a lot of originality, and a lot of ol'-fashioned craftsmanship, Chip's Challenge is a quality title and recommended for players of all kinds.

Chip's Challenge is one of the most innovative and addicting action/puzzlers to come out in a very long time. It'll test your problem-solving skills to the max because there are over 144 levels (along with four bonus levels) of puzzles to solve, with each level offering something unique and different.

On a handheld that offered very little in the way of quality games, Chip's Challenge is probably one of the best Lynx games that I've played. It's addicting, simple, and will keep you busy for however long you're willing to be kept, and will allow you to waste time on those boring business trips, instead of just in the office. If you're a fan of the PC version, as every good human should be, and you've got a lonely Atari Lynx sitting in your closet, hunt this one down.

While Chip's Challenge isn't one of the best of the year, it still has plenty of entertainment value. It's addictive enough that I found myself playing it quite a lot longer than I needed for this review. In fact, I believe I'll give it another go right now. Please don't disturb me for a couple of hours. Okay?

Die C-64-Besitzer haben sich zu früh gefreut: Von Chuck Sommervilles' genialer Spielidee bleiben auf dem kleinen Commodore nur Rudimente übrig. Die kostbaren Mikrochips sind auf dem fitzeligen Bildschirmausschnitt nur schwer zu erkennen. Die Grafik wackelt fröhlich vor sich hin, und die Joysticksteuerung ist unpräzise.

Chip's Challenge does give you an infinite number of tries, and even offers you the option of skipping a level if you fail it repeatedly (not that this ever happened to me!). Living up to its name, the game offers 144 (!) levels, and if you complete them all without losing your mind, you deserve an honorary college degree. Chip's Challenge was a little too thought-intensive for my arcade sensibilities, but those with a knack for puzzles games will eat this up.

Detta spel finns tydligen till Lynx och skall vara förhållandevis bra och jag kan bara konstatera att det samma inte kan sägas om C64-versionen.